Jersey City Public Employees Local 245 union members picketed at City Hall this morning, urging Mayor Steven Fulop to give them a new contract after six years – with three candidates looking to succeed him in attendance.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), whose running for mayor, was the first elected to join and say and stood with the workers, followed byHudson County Anti-Violence Coalition Executive Director Pam Johnson.
She is running for the Ward A council seat on his ticket and noted that both her brother and son are union members.
“I have definitely supported DPW and Local 245 in the past, even when their payroll was interrupted when a group of individuals was let go because they couldn’t work overtime. Our working families deserve fair treatment,” she noted.
Former Gov. Jim McGreevey, another mayoral candidate, noted there’s a lot of wealth in the city, but municipal workers continue to get the short end of the stick.
“It’s about the dignity of work and treating people fairly and treating people equitably,” he said.
McGreevey also noted he spoke with Local 245 Union President Santo Della Monica early in his mayoral campaign, seeking his support.
“The first people I went to see was him! The work you do, I see it every day. I respect your hard work. We will secure that contract,” he declared.
Della Monica said he asked all declared candidates to stand with them today, since “six years without a contract is uncalled for.”
“If he’s (Fulop) union firefly and he’s going out through the state, please look at today what’s happening with this union. 11 unions work for the City of Jersey City and not one has endorsed him for governor,” Della Monica argued.
“I’ll be out there with you just to see your hard work, commitment, and service,” McGreevey chimed in.
Della Monica also said that Fulop has raised property taxes at least three times during his tenure, but continues not to take care of union workers, citing costs.
He also commended Ward E Councilman James Solomon, the third mayoral candidate he showed his support for the union, for getting them back to the bargaining table.
“In December, they walked out of negotiations. They got upset when we were 80 percent done. We were gonna change state of emergency language, then they got up and left,” Della Monica asserted, claiming that the administration cancelled a February negotiating session.
However, he thanked Solomon for getting them back to the table, noting that the crossing guards went without a contract for over seven years before they reached an agreement (they are separate from Local 245).
“We stood up, and we supported them … We talked to the administration. All we want is a fair contract, a reasonable and fair contract. If you value a city, you value the people who make it work,” Solomon noted.
“This city doesn’t run without you and you deserve an administration n that recognizes that each and every day. You have my commitment that’s what I’m gonna do.”
Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley, who is on Solomon’s ticket, and Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano, who is running with McGreevey, also vocalized their support.
“You make this city run every day … I see you guys up on poles. You’re doing all this other stuff … Fair is fair. And we should be back at this table negotiating this contract with you guys,” Ridley stated.
“I’ve been with the city for years. I feel sorry for the people. And I want to know where’s all the money from all this development? I’ve been asking that question for months,” Boggiano declared.
Della Monica explained that compensation during a state of emergency is the biggest sticking point, claiming his members are owed a collective $40 million in back pay.
City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione agreed that the state of emergency was a sticking point, but also said the appellate court just ruled in the city’s favor today.
“Today’s appellate court ruling reaffirmed what an arbitrator already determined: Local 245 failed to file a timely grievance under its contract regarding double-time pay during the multi-year COVID-related state of emergency,” she began.
“The reality is, other unions in the same situation filed their grievances on time and successfully reached amicable settlements with the city regarding state-of-emergency double-time, demonstrating our commitment to good faith negotiations. At the same time, the city presented multiple contract offers to Local 245 over the past six years, all of which were rejected by the union’s leadership.”
Union members include crossing guards, Department of Public Works and Parks employees,, Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Development workers, mechanics, among other municipal workers.
The DPW doesn’t value the workers. I’m glad that this machine that fulup runs is being brought to the for front…
Union 245 is a good union for the public safety with the leader ship of Santo delamonica I was a crossing guard with jersey city for 19 years there work every day keep the children in jersey city safe they deserve the city respect and love GOOD LUCK 245 KEEP FIGHTING
Fulop only cares about votes and money these union workers are not seen as important until it snows or they are picking up trash
I see the Union workers in my Park Pershing Field and have known them for years as a volunteer there. Mr Della Monica should resign.
The local is an independent unaffiliated union with no resources. He feeds the members untruths. They need a REAL union that works for them like SEIU or AFSME. Otherwise they will continue to be mistreated.