Communication Workers of America

October 24, 2007

Paul J. Hopkins, II, Treasurer
County of Essex Hall of Records
Newark , NJ , 07102

Re: Negotiations Queries

Dear Mr. Hopkins:

On behalf of the joint bargaining committee of CWA Local 1081, allow me to thank you for attending yesterdays first negotiating session for our successor contract. Your explanation of the Administration's position regarding its desires regarding health benefits alterations, a position albeit with which our Union is not in concurrence, was very informative and assisted greatly particularly those of our joint bargaining committee whom have never before taken part in negotiating a contract.

To reiterate within a memorialized context the requests our Union made of you yesterday, CWA Local 1081 would be greatly appreciative were you to furnish our Union the following information in order to facilitate our ability to optimally negotiate in good faith with the Administration:

1. Please provide sample per-pay salary impacts of the Administration's desired twenty percent (20 %) co-payment of the County's costs of providing health benefits, in each of the four health benefits categories, to a CWA Local 1081 member earning $27,000 per year, $40,000 per year and $60,000 per year.

2. Please provide our Union the total number of County employees and the total amount anticipated to be expended within Year 2007 for the salaries of those employees.

Sincerely,

David H. Weiner, President, CWA Local 1081
C: Dolores Capetola, Esquire