ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – Today, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was a hive of activity as the New Jersey State AFL-CIO gathered with over 400 delegates and guests from affiliated unions for the labor organization’s 31st Constitutional Convention.

The delegates asserted their trust in the leadership of President Charles Wowkanech and Secretary-Treasurer Laurel Brennan by unanimously voting to elect President Wowkanech, Secretary Laurel Brennan, and the Executive Board to a four-year term.

Throughout their time in office, President Wowkanech and Secretary-Treasurer Brennan have demonstrated a keen understanding of the needs and concerns of the average New Jersey worker.

“Each opportunity to improve the lives of New Jersey’s working men and women is a privilege,” said President Wowkanech. “Now more than ever is the time for an unprecedented mobilization effort of the labor movement, not only in New Jersey but nationally, in order to secure a victory for all working families on Election Day.”

“I look forward to continuing to amplify the voices of all working families,” said Secretary-Treasurer Brennan. “Now is a critical time to fight for worker’s rights,” she concluded.

President Wowkanech and Secretary-Treasurer Brennan’s hands-on approach to working with legislators to advocate for the adoption of federal and state laws, such as the Pro-Worker Unemployment Insurance Benefits Bill, the New Jersey Panic Device Law, and various laws that protected workers during the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrates their commitment to serving the interests of New Jersey’s working families.

Their nationally acclaimed award-winning Labor Candidates Program, which has led to the election of 1,283 lawmakers elected to office across New Jersey and in Washington D.C. is also a testament to their commitment to the fight for good jobs, a growing economy, middle-class values, and a progressive agenda.

As the 2024 Presidential Election approaches, the rights of all workers hang in the balance. Asserting their support of President Joe Biden, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, followed the National AFL-CIO’s historic early endorsement of President Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

“President Biden is the most pro-union President since Franklin Delano Roosevelt,” said President Wowkanech. “Throughout his four years in office, he has aggressively supported organized labor unions through major pro-labor initiatives. He is the first President to select a labor union leader and union member as Secretary of Labor and to walk a picket line. Now it’s our turn to do the work to ensure his election, which is the best way to say thank you for a job well done,” he concluded.

“President Biden has a proven record of supporting the labor movement,” said Secretary-Treasurer Brennan. “He has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to championing the rights of all working men and women.”

At the Convention, the delegates stood strong in their duty to protect worker’s rights, by guaranteeing that they will expend all efforts to ensure a victory on Election Day for all workers.

The delegates voted to pass proposed resolutions such as the Labor Unity During the 2024 Presidential Election Resolution, which promotes political solidarity and united action among all its affiliates, Central Labor Councils and Building and Construction Trades Councils in every sector to ensure President Biden’s election.

The Solidarity in Support of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Labor Candidates Program resolution, which ensures that the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Labor Candidates Program will have long term stability, solidarity, build worker power and advance a pro-worker policy agenda was also passed along with The Richard Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This act will secure worker’s rights to join a union and enjoy the benefits of union representation.

The Delegates voted to endorse the following candidates for President, Vice President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and labor candidates.

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