Chris Shelton

The Communications Workers of America acknowledged today that they’ve agreed to a wage freeze and 10 furlough days in exchange for no layoffs and seven bankable paid personal days.

“Given the realities of the current economic crisis, and soaring levels of unemployment, our two top priorities in these negotiations were the protection of all of our members’ jobs and preserving the integrity of the collective bargaining agreement,” said CWA District One Vice President Chris Shelton.  “We achieved those goals.”

The agreement was subject to some controversy after The Star-Ledger reported that the Corzine Administration rushed to finalize it to avoid a potentially embarrassing demonstration in front of his campaign kickoff  --  a picket line that the guest of honor, Vice President Joe Biden, might be hesitant to cross.  Corzine yesterday dismissed that as “speculative” and said that part of the sense of urgency in getting a deal arranged was that layoff notices were posted on Friday. 

Republican State Committee Chairman Tom Wilson didn’t buy that, however, and sent a letter to Attorney General Anne Milgram asking for an investigation into what he titled a “Biden buy-off” to see if it constituted official misconduct.

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The Communications Workers of America Endorse Albio Sires for Congress
Praise Former Speaker For Being A Champion of Working Families

(Rahway) - The Communications Workers of America today endorsed Speaker Albio Sires for Congress in the 13th Congressional District, citing his dedication to enhancing economic opportunities for working families throughout New Jersey. Chris Shelton, Vice President, CWA District One, endorsed Sires on behalf of the CWA.

"As Speaker, as a legislator and as a mayor, Albio Sires has always stood up for working families and now working families across New Jersey are standing behind Albio Sires in his bid for Congress," said Vice President Shelton. "Whether it is expanding job training programs, increasing job opportunities for workers or fighting for a real living wage, Speaker Sires has shown that he is committed to the working men and women of this state. I have no doubt that in Washington, he will fight just as strongly on our behalf."

As Assembly Speaker, Albio Sires has fought to expand job training programs, increase job opportunities workers, increase the minimum wage to $7.15 and provide tax credits to businesses that create jobs in the community.

"At a time when the Bush Administration is cutting Medicare funding, attempting to eradicate Social Security, undermining worker protections and waging an assault on collective bargaining, I am committed to going to Washington to ensure that the rights of working families are protected" said Speaker Sires. "I thank the CWA for its endorsement and pledge that I will continue to fight just as strongly on labor’s behalf in Washington as I have during my years in Trenton."

The Communications Workers of America is the nation’s largest communications and media union, representing 60,000 members in both the private and public sectors throughout New Jersey.

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