October 26, 2017
Matt Butenhoff called the meeting to order; members enjoyed pizza & snacks. He spoke about the upcoming elections and how Phil Murphy said “We’ve got to get back to fully funding the pension plan. Only then can you start talking about what else you’re going to do” during a debate at William Paterson University in Wayne.
Matt stated that Kim Guadagno stated “we have to sit down and admit what we cannot deny, and that is the pensions for the teachers and other public sector unions is broke” She said “I would sit down, look at the Tom Byrne/Healy pension commission report and start negotiating there fairly, respectfully and openly”. Only thing is, she, along with Chris Christie, wants to change wording in our state contracts and take more money from us.
Matt spoke about the elections here on campus, told both groups about our newly elected officials, Bob Wallace as VP, and Linda Forline as Treasurer and the newly elected Cindy Norman as President. Secretary will remain as Christy Engelhardt. Bob was not present to be introduced, but members at the first meeting were on hand to meet Linda Forline.
He also spoke about a walk that our local in Monmouth is calling for members to sign up. They will pay $45.00 to any CWA member who signs up to walk for Murphy every Saturday 10-1pm. (See info from Matt via email for details about where and when).
We introduced Karen Tierney and Sharon Hunt from Human Resources so that our members could ask questions regarding HR issues. Questions about DPF44’s and desk audits were brought up, along with why the State is taking so long to get back to our members. Karen said that the states has 180 days to do appeals, and that all the state university’s and states agency’s go through the same office of appeals, and that is why there is a back-up. Our members spoke up about desk audits, and Karen said it used to be 2 people from HR and now it is four and they are trying to keep up. Karen explained about how the University has the increment money waiting to be distributed, when we finally hear from the State (right now the increments money question is still with the courts) that money will be distributed to us the members. They both answered questions about the upcoming changes in the new Atlantic City campus, and although they do not know about the administrative member side of hiring, they are working on a plan with plant and the police who will be housed in that campus. A good amount of questions/answers between HR and our members; so hopefully everyone’s questions were answered. Milt Davis was the winner of the 50/50.