NJ gov jeered at Labor Day event

NJ gov jeered at Labor Day event

	Published : Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:19 By : Agencies Print this Story

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) - Unionized state workers jeered at Gov. Jon S. Corzine at a union-sponsored Labor Day observance Friday, interrupting his speech and charging the Democrat with failing to fairly negotiate a new contract with them.

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency workers interrupted Corzine's speech during the Southern New Jersey AFL-CIO Central Labor Council event with catcalls and chanting. Corzine acknowledged the protesters, but told them negotiations would continue through collective bargaining.

That didn't soothe the workers, who began chanting 'No justice, no peace,' and 'Call us back.' The union claims Corzine has refused to intervene to jump-start stalled talks.

'I thank you,' Corzine told the group of about three dozen workers who stood waving and holding up signs at the event on the deck of the Battleship New Jersey. 'I will see you at the bargaining table.'

He told them contract talks would resume after Labor Day.

'We like to be at the bargaining table,' Corzine said. 'Nobody believes this more than this governor.'

To which workers responded, 'You wouldn't know it.'

Most of the people at the observance didn't protest and sat silently as Corzine and the protesters exchanged remarks.

The workers are from Communications Workers of America Local 1032. The local's president, Jim Marketti, said they are been negotiating a new contract since June 2006. He said HMFA workers are paid up to $10,000 less than other state workers who agreed to a new contract earlier this year. He said the local represents about 200 workers.

The Democratic Corzine has typically received heavy union support, but the HMFA workers passed out fliers proclaiming, 'He can't go around claiming to be the Norma Rae of the labor movement when he treats his own employees so shabbily.'

Corzine said he supports the right for union members to express their view.

'Including the ones who don't always agree with me about every issue,' Corzine said.

Donald Norcross, the Southern New Jersey AFL-CIO president, said Corzine has long been an ally to organized labor.

'He's been there when we have called,' he said. 'He might not always agree with us, but he's been there to address our issues.'

During Friday's event, Corzine's labor commissioner, David Socolow, reiterated Corzine's support for a regular minimum wage increases and paid family leave. A paid family leave proposal has been stalled in the Legislature, but Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr. on Friday called it 'something that we have to make a reality in New Jersey.'