N.J.'s largest state workers union rejects raising dues to create anti-Gov. Christie media

The proposal went down overwhelmingly last week despite most of union's leadership supported idea

Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-LedgerIdalia Arcelay, left, marches with other members of CWA Local 1081 Thursday afternoon. Essex County welfare workers CWA Local 1081 picketing as part of statewide outy to tell Gov. Christie to "stop attacking" public workers in this March 2010 photo.

TRENTON — Members of New Jersey’s largest state workers union have voted down a proposal that would have raised their dues to create a media fund aimed to counter Gov. Chris Christie’s tough rhetoric against public sector unions.

The proposal went down overwhelmingly last week, with 3,525 members voting against it and 2,201 voting for it – despite the fact that most of the union’s leadership supported the idea.

The Communications Workers of America represents 40,000 state workers in seven locals. Six of the seven presidents of locals that represent state workers supported the plan, which would have raised members’ dues an additional one-tenth of one percent (to 1.25 percent of their salaries) to fund the program. It would have collected about $2 million a year for ads emphasizing the role of state workers and pushing back against Christie.

The voting took place over the course of three weeks, and member participation was low. In a letter to union membership, CWA District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton said it was unfortunate that the plan failed and noted the low member participation rate.

“We are a democratic union, and we accept the decision of the members,” he said. “However, the battle to protect our jobs and benefits will not stop. We still have an urgent need to communicate our message to [the] public about what we do, the sacrifices we have made, and our modest standard of living.”

Shelton said that money to help fund a massive May rally of teachers and public workers, plus an ad campaign, partly came from the treasury funds of most of the locals. He said the union will rely heavily this year on the locals putting out more money to pay for ad campaigns.

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