2009 Election Results -    Letter from Ralph Edelbach - Nov 4, 2009       (Return to Local 2364 Home Page)

 

November 4, 2009   11:09

Good Morning AFT Sisters and Brothers:

Well, this morning, after a long and bitter election campaign, I am, like many of you I'm sure,  "bummed out" that Jon Corzine lost the race for governor in New Jersey but, at the same time, I am very pleased that our local incumbent Democratic committeewoman in East Amwell township prevailed over her Republican challenger. Her race was closer than usual but, given the overall level of voter dissatisfaction in New Jersey, not surprising.

The results of these two races are intriguing because both of the incumbents did the best job possible in these difficult economic times, IMHO, and both of them faced challengers who offered no specific plans on how to improve things, only the promises to bring change and also, lower our taxes! That sounded like a familiar tune but evidently most of the State's voters bought into it. Change Christie promised and change we will get!

On the local scene in Hunterdon County, usually having the letter "D" in your name guarantees you will lose just about any election. Republicans "rule" in this area. Christie carried this county with 66% of the vote to Corzine's 25% but the "East Amwell Democratic Association" continued its winning ways. As was demonstrated here, voters can tell the difference some times between reality and illusion. Unfortunately they don't do that all the time. Incidentally, Christie carried East Amwell, 62% to 30%. Go figure!

Our state faces a ballooning budget short-fall of at least $8 billion next fiscal year, a staggering problem that is now sitting on Governor-elect Christie's virtual desk. He has to deal with it and there are a limited number of options available to him. Being more business-friendly as he promised to do is not something which is likely to quickly generate significant revenue for the State, if it works at all. Cutting taxes and resurrecting Reagan's "trickle-down, voodoo" economics is even less likely to be effective in bailing us out. What is he going to do?  Inquiring minds want to know? He is going to have to be very specific after he is sworn in as our next Governor and I bet he and his advisers are worried about that right now. Does the story of the dog that catches the bus mean anything to you?

Along with all the other unions in New Jersey, the AFT will be carefully analyzing the election results and discussing how this change of leadership in Trenton is likely to impact us when the Council meets on November 20th. After that, we will plan what needs to be done in order to put us in the best position to protect our membership in the remaining years of the current contract as well as in the upcoming negotiations.

One thing for certain is that with the promises made by our Governor-elect to reduce the State budget, downsize state government and reduce the "sweetheart deals" enjoyed by state employee unions, we will have our work cut out for us. Negotiating with Jon Corzine was difficult. It is likely that negotiating with Chris Christie will be much more challenging. He is not now and nor likely to ever be favorably inclined in any way toward organized labor. We worked to defeat him and he won. He is not going to forget that.

The planning for our next contract negotiations with the Governor's office will start very soon with the actual face-to-face negotiating session beginning in the spring of 2011, less than a year and a half from now. I know that everyone in the AFT bargaining unit is concerned over what happens and how it will impact them. As usual, the will be an opportunity for all bargaining unit members to provide input via a survey. Based on feedback received through that process as well as other means, including campus meetings of each Local, our bargaining demands will be put together. Your input is valued and essential.

Unless there is a significant improvement in the country's and state's financial condition, we can expect demands from the Governor for not only salary give-backs but also sacrifices in other areas, including health care. It will take the concerted effort of all of us if we are to not only make contract gains but also protect the advances made in previous years.

I will keep everyone posted as this process moves forward. Please feel free to ask any questions or to provide any input. We are all in this together. 

Thank you.

In Solidarity, Ralph Edelbach, President, TCNJFT, Local 2364, AFT

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