To All Affiliates:
New Jersey State AFL-CIO 2025 Legislative/COPE Endorsement Conference
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO is proud to announce that our 2025 Legislative/COPE Endorsement Conference will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on June 17-18, 2025. To reserve a room, click here.
This year’s theme is “The New Jersey Labor Movement is Rising to Meet the Moment,” reflecting the urgency and importance of taking swift action to work together, unified under common goals. In 2025, we find ourselves at a critical crossroads. New Jersey will be one of the first two states to hold their Gubernatorial and Assembly Election, and the eyes of the nation are upon us. Here in New Jersey, we are organized, battle-tested and ready to go to work. To register, click here.
Working in solidarity, this election will provide us with the opportunity to preserve the gains that we have made for working families in New Jersey and continue to build on the abundance of worker power in our state. Together, we will endorse a candidate who will be a true ally to working families for governor as well as Assembly candidates, and dozens of our rank-and-file union members running for office, who will amplify the voice of labor.
We invite you to join us as we hear from several esteemed speakers including national labor leaders, as they offer their wisdom and guidance, providing insight into how we can come together to meet the demands of the moment.
On the evening of Tuesday, June 17, 2025, we will hold the 31st Annual Labor Awards Reception in recognition of three extraordinary leaders in the areas of labor, business, and legislation. We are proud to announce the 2025 honorees: Labor Award –Joseph Demark, President and Business Manager of Sheet Metal Workers Local 25; Business Award –Ed Willigan, President of Bonland Industries; Legislative Award –Congresswoman Nellie Pou, NJ CD-9. For more information, click here.
You are hereby notified that, pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, the 2025 Legislative/COPE Endorsement Conference will convene at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., and will remain in session until the conclusion of business on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
We look forward to seeing you there!
In Solidarity,
Charles Wowkanech
President
Laurel Brennan
Secretary-Treasurer
Quick Links
Credentials
Your organization’s Delegate Credential Application form is linked above with the call to conference. Immediately upon selection of delegates, guests, and retirees please complete and submit your online Delegate Credential Application along with payment by Friday, June 13, 2025. For your convenience, all badges will be held at the Conference Registration Desk.
Registration for delegates will be held:
Monday, June 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
All delegates, guests, and retirees should make every effort to pick up their badge on Monday, June 16, 2025, at the Conference Registration Desk.
Schedule
New Jersey State AFL-CIO Conference Registration
June 16-18, 2025
Central Labor Council Presidents Meeting
June 16, 2025
Executive Board Meeting
June 16, 2025
New Jersey State AFL-CIO 2025 Legislative/COPE Endorsement Conference
June 17-18, 2025
Accommodations &
Reservations
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City has been established as our Conference site. Rooms are available at the group rate until the room block has been filled or until June 2nd, 2025, after which the standard rate and availability restrictions will apply. For your convenience, you may reserve online by clicking HERE by Monday, June 2nd, 2025, to ensure your room(s).To reserve by phone, please call 609-449-6860 and mention group code “GAFL25Z” to receive the Conference rate.
Group Rate: $129 per night
Plus taxes and fees
Representation
In Accordance with the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Constitution:
Article IV, Section 4. – Each affiliated local union shall be entitled to representation according to the following schedule:
Membership of 100 or less – 1 delegate
Example: 100 members – 1 delegate
and
For each additional 100 members or major fraction thereof up to a total 1,000 members – 1 additional delegate
Example: 451 members – 5 delegates
and
For each 1,000 members or major fraction thereof – 1 additional delegate –
Example: 1,501 members – 11 delegates
and
Article IV, Section 4. (a) – The average membership of each affiliated local union in good standing for purposes of representation and roll call voting shall be determined by dividing by 24 the total per capita tax paid for the 24 months of the immediately preceding fiscal years ending December 31, except that a local union affiliated for less than said 24 month period, or which has affiliated subsequent thereto, shall have its average determined by dividing the per capita tax for all months affiliated prior to the Convention by 24 or by the number of months affiliated, whichever is the greatest divisor.
Article IV, Section 4. (b) – Affiliated organizations other than local unions as defined in Section 4 of Article III shall be entitled to two delegates and one vote for each delegate.
Article IV, Section 6. – No organization shall be entitled to representation unless it has applied for and obtained a certificate of affiliation at least one month prior to the Convention. No delegate shall be seated as a representative of more than one organization. No delegate from any affiliated organization shall be seated unless the local union of which he/she is a member in good standing shall be affiliated with the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and shall have its per capita tax paid as required by Article IV, Section 4 of this Constitution.
Article IV, Section 18. – No delegate shall be seated who has failed to appear and register before 12:00 noon of the second day, unless permission be granted by a unanimous vote of the Convention. Alternates of such delegates who have registered within time shall, however, be seated in the place of such delegates.
Resolutions/Proposals
Article IV, Section 8. – All resolutions, petitions, memorials and appeals to be considered at the Convention must be received by the Secretary-Treasurer thirty (30) days prior to the opening of the Convention. It shall not be acted upon if submitted thereafter, unless unanimously consented to by the Convention. If properly received for consideration by the Convention, and as soon as practical after receipt thereof, the Secretary-Treasurer shall transmit the same to the President, who shall classify the same as to nature, contents and subject matter, and shall refer the same to the appropriate committee, which committee shall report thereon to the Convention prior to consideration of any such matter by the Convention.