TO: All CWA Local 1081 Members
FROM: David H. Weiner, President
DATE: June 30, 2010
SUBJECT: No Layoffs or Furloughs
Having met at noon yesterday with the Unions representing the County’s employees at a Labor Roundtable he had arranged, Essex County Executive DiVincenzo finally was the bearer of good tidings as he informed those in attendance there would be no need now for layoffs or furloughs due to the budgetary agreements he’d negotiated with Governor Christie.
The restoration of $16.8 of the $22.3 million that would have been cut from the County’s budget by the State budget the governor proposed in March was welcome news to CWA Local 1081 and the other Unions. Joe D did an excellent job negotiating with the governor on behalf of Essex County.
Our Union now refocuses upon wrapping up negotiations for our contract and have scheduled a meeting for July 20th that will include IBEW Local 1158, PESU, CWA Local 1081 and the County to attempt to move that momentous matter.
Prospectively, we remain concerned about Governor Christie’s stated ill intentions toward our active and retired members’ pensions and health benefits costs and toward our current Civil Service protections. Hopefully, responsible and reasonable minds will prevail in those regards as well allowing us all to avoid contention and to work instead constructively for the mutual good.