The New Jersey State AFL-CIO commends Senator Shirley Turner (D-15) for her leadership in sponsoring S-1350, which requires a cost analysis to examine the impact on workers and taxpayers prior to awarding a contract to privatize public services. The bill was released today along party lines by the Senate Labor Committee. Voting in favor were Democratic Senators Fred Madden (D-4), Andrew Zwicker (D-16) and Joe Lagana (D-38). Voting against were Republican Senators Anthony Bucco (R-25) and Doug Steinhardt (R-23). The New Jersey State AFL-CIO as well as representatives from the CWA and AAUP-AFT testified in support of the bill.
This is a commonsense mechanism to ensure that savings promised to taxpayers materialize. Furthermore, the bill requires procedures that promote transparency in the contracting process, including making the proposal available to the public. It also has employee protections, such as establishing a “floor” of wages and benefits under the new private contract that are comparable to existing benefits and compensation rates. This ensures that contracts are not privatized because of simply reducing compensation for workers.
S-3680 (Bucco / Schepisi) / A-664 (Verrelli / Atkins / Sampson) was released from the committee unanimously. The bill establishes the “second chance program” to provide career opportunities in union workplaces for formerly incarcerated individuals, with the intent to reduce recidivism.
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO thanks Chairman Madden for posting these two bills and thanks the Senators that voted in favor, as well as the affiliated unions that have been advocating in support.
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