Communications Workers Of America Local 6508 AFL-CIO, CLC

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NJ CWAers Fight New Governor's Proposed Budget

CWA Public Worker members in New Jersey protest Gov. Christie's budget proposals.

CWA's 60,000 public worker members in New Jersey are in a huge fight, along with teachers and other state workers, against the right-wing attack by new Republican Governor Chris Christie.

CWAers are fighting back and have launched a new educational ad campaign that warns the public that Christie's proposed budget means cuts in vital services and another windfall for millionaires. The campaign also includes a series of five town hall meetings with members of the New Jersey legislature and a public outreach campaign aimed at defeating the Christie budget.

A new radio ad opens with workers' voices describing how CWA public workers protect New Jersey's abused children and disabled adults, ensure that roads and bridges are safe and that air and water are clean. "Governor Christie's budget will devastate the services we provide. Everyone will suffer – except New Jersey's millionaires. Governor Christie is giving them a tax cut." Listen to the ads and watch the YouTube videos featuring CWA members at www.cwanj.org.

And while you're online at www.cwanj.org, sign up for e-mail alerts about the campaign. You'll be able to support New Jersey public workers and learn the latest about the successful tactics CWA is using to fight back in tough times.

If you're on Facebook, search for the group, "Fight for NJ Public Services, Fight for NJ Public Workers," and join the

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CWA Leads Successful Push for Recess Appointments to NLRB

CWA played a big role in the Obama administration's recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board. As the congressional recess began on March 27, President Obama appointed Mark Pearce and Craig Becker to seats on the five-member board.

CWA activists contacted members of Congress and pressed them to sign a letter to the President urging him to make the recess appointments. In the end, 141 members of Congress signed onto the "Dear Colleague" letter circulated by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.) and a separate letter from the Pennsylvania congressional delegation that urged President Obama to act on the stalled nominations.

Senate Republicans used holds and filibusters to block the confirmations and most recently launched a filibuster to block a final Senate vote on Becker's nomination.

CWA President Larry Cohen commended President Obama for naming Becker and Pearce to the Board. "These appointments are critical for workers to get justice in the workplace," he said.

"For far too long, the five-member NLRB has consisted of only two members. This has resulted in a growing caseload of contentious issues left unresolved. Thousands of American workers who seek resolution of their disputes have been put on hold," members of Congress told the President.

Despite criticism, recess appointments have become a common way for presidents to seat nominees in the absence of Senate action, with former President George W. Bush making 171 such appointments, and President Bill Clinton making 139.