The New Jersey State AFL-CIO thanks the 12 members of the New Jersey delegation and the entire House of Representatives for passing the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act – the CARES Act – and delivering it to President Donald J. Trump for signing. Thanks also go to New Jersey’s two Senators for voting to send the bill to the House.
“New Jersey’s working families can breathe a sigh of relief,” New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech said. “New Jerseyans will get their share of the $2.2 trillion in this bill, and the money is desperately needed now.
“Our heroes on the front lines will be getting more of the personal protective equipment and the test kits they need as they put themselves in harm’s way to do every essential job in every sector of labor, from health care and emergency services to retail, transportation, construction and hospitality.
“Our union brothers and sisters are saving lives while keeping ports open to keep the merchandise we need on store shelves. The mail is going through, everybody’s lights are on, everyone has water in their taps, and, most of all, everyone is safe. Thank you to all our heroes.
“It’s no secret that tens of thousands of New Jersey’s hard-working people are out of work through no fault of their own,” Wowkanech said. “We’ve never seen a situation like this in history. Never.
“The improvements to unemployment insurance and the direct cash payments will help, but the New Jersey State AFL-CIO will continue to advocate directly and closely with all of New Jersey’s members of Congress to ensure more benefits for the union members who built the middle class.
“And we will continue to work for state programs, in partnership with the leadership of Gov. Phil Murphy.”
Wowkanech concluded: “We will use our union values and the power of our shared creativity to stay laser-focused on getting through this crisis.”
For a helpful guide to what this bill provides for working families, please CLICK HERE