32BJ STATEMENT REGARDING GOVERNOR CHRISTIE’S VETO OF THE

STAFER ACT, SAFE TRANSPORTATION JOBS & FAIR EMPLOYMENT RULES ACT  

The following statement can be attributed to Kevin Brown, 32BJ SEIU Vice President and NJ State Director:

“With the stroke of his veto pen, Governor Chris Christie has chosen to leave thousands of hardworking people and their families in abject poverty.  Instead of supporting the STAFER Act—legislation that would have ensured privately contracted airport, rail and ferry workers received a living wage and benefits—Christie rejected it, proving once again he is out of step with the will of the legislature and the people.  The STAFER Act–which was sponsored by Senators Teresa Ruiz, Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto– received widespread support in the legislature. 

Even as Christie’s time in office comes to an end, his mean spirited veto won’t stop our mission to help workers fight for their rights.   From the steps of New Jersey Statehouse to the White House, 32BJ will continue to speak out against injustice and use our power at the ballot box to support candidates who support working people.

As the sun sets on Governor Christie’s tumultuous last days in office, this veto will serve as another reminder of his failed legacy.  Already tarnished by Bridgegate, BeachGate, HelicopterGate and a host of bullying rants, Christie’s legacy now includes leaving thousands of New Jersey workers stuck in poverty.

Chris Christie will leave New Jersey residents with nothing in the end but scandals, legal bills and more working New Jerseyans struggling to take care of their families.”

With 165,000 members in 11 states–including 12,000 in New Jersey–32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.