CWAers Vow to Continue the Fight for Affordable Healthcare in N.J.

CWA members and retirees in New Jersey hosted a mass mobilization at the state capitol last week in opposition to Governor Phil Murphy's budget, which would make healthcare costs skyrocket for as many as 90,000 public-sector workers. This budget hike bypasses the public sector contractual process for addressing rising healthcare costs, already at a crisis in the state.

CWA activists from 17 locals placed roughly 700 calls to State Senators and Assemblymembers, sent nearly 1,500 emails to the Assembly, and sent over 3,100 emails to Governor Murphy urging him to stand with N.J. working families and stop the $100 million in cuts to the State Health Benefits Plan that would shift healthcare cost increases onto workers. On the day of the vote, dozens of CWA activists sat in the State Assembly and State Senate Chambers wearing red and showing their disapproval of the budget as written.

Despite these efforts, lawmakers voted the budget into law, and the governor has signed it. The law takes effect in January 2026. CWA members have vowed to continue the fight.

“This budget is a betrayal of the very working people who elected him into office,” said CWA District 1 Assistant to the Vice President Billy Gallagher. “Budgets are moral documents, and this one makes painfully clear where Governor Murphy stands. Gov. Murphy has chosen to gut $100 million in health benefits for public sector workers and retirees.”

You can read the full CWA statement on the vote here.

CWA has endorsed Mikie Sherrill for Governor of New Jersey. Sherrill has a strong track record of fighting for working people and working collaboratively with CWA on our legislative priorities—and she has already spoken out on behalf of CWA members, retirees, and working families. She has committed to working with CWA to make healthcare more affordable for New Jersey residents. Dozens of lawmakers have also signed on in support, issuing statements affirming their dedication to working with CWA toward a solution.

 
CWA members and retirees met at the N.J. State Capitol to demonstrate their opposition to a proposed budget that will raise healthcare costs for public sector workers.

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This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.