CWA, AFSCME & IFTPE RELEASE JOINT STATEMENT ON NJ VETERANS HOMES REFORMS

(TRENTON, NJ) – Today, the Communications Workers of America (CWA), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers  (IFTPE) released the following statement on New Jersey Veterans Homes:

“The recent announcement of structural reforms to the operation of the New Jersey Veterans Homes by the Murphy Administration and legislators is a welcome step but, if it is to result in meaningful reforms, it is essential that the frontline workers who work in our Veterans Home’s are part of the process. AFSCME, CWA, and IFPTE members were on the frontlines during the entire COVID-19 pandemic protecting our veterans and they did not walk off the job, despite what recent reports have said. On the contrary, these workers played an essential role in saving lives during this time.

“Like all Americans, the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic were chaotic, stressful, and confusing for these workers. Their fears were exacerbated by foolish directives and mismanagement by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, which placed the veterans and our members in danger. From the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, our members were raising the alarm about DMAVA’s mismanagement, pushing back against directives that were harmful to the veterans and workers. They were begging DMAVA for better information to be communicated  to the workforce about how the virus was transmitted to help assuage workers fears. They were demanding PPE so they could not only properly care for our veterans but also reduce the risk of bringing the virus home to their loved ones. And, they were fighting for premium pay to incentivize staff during this time.

“If you want to get to the root of problems in any workplace, you need to talk to the workers who do the job. So, while we support the idea of structural reforms, the frontline workers need to be part of this process.”

****