New Jersey State AFL-CIO Responds to Trenton City Council Members’ Retaliation Against AFSCME Local 2286 

(Trenton)- On February 9, 2022, AFSCME Local 2286, joined by the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, protested Trenton City Council’s failure to pass an ordinance to fund raises for city employees agreed to in a 2021 contract.

In response to the protest, City Council voted to retaliate against the union by authorizing a lawsuit against AFSCME Local 2286. Additionally, Councilwoman Robin Vaughn called for an investigation into AFSCME Local 2286, the city employees, and elected leaders who attended the rally.

New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech and Secretary-Treasurer Laurel Brennan issued the following joint statement in support of AFSMCE Local 2286:

“The New Jersey State AFL-CIO stands by AFSCME Local 2286’s rights to free speech, peacefully protest, and collectively bargain.

The members of AFSCME Local 2286 are the frontline workers who kept the City of Trenton operating during the COVID19 Public Health Emergency and continue to deliver critical services to all City residents.

These members deserve our respect and the raises negotiated across the table and agreed to in their contract, not an attack on their constitutional and labor rights.

Yet again, the members of City Council who voted against funding the raises show that they are unfit to govern. We are calling for the Department of Community Affairs to take action to ensure Trenton residents have a government that works for them and respects collective bargaining.