Hetty Rosenstein argues that this is a critical time for workers in New Jersey, including those with no direct stake in the public pension battle.
By Paul Brubaker | The Backgrounder
Ask Hetty Rosenstein, director of the Communication Workers of America, New Jersey, what the current strike of 39,000 workers against Verizon is about, and she'll talk about job security and work conditions. She also will say that there's more to the strike than what's at stake for the workers, and that it involves the preservation of some of our core American values.
Hetty Rosenstein, director of the Communication Workers of America, New Jersey "It's also about whether or not we have any kind of an America, a country, where people work hard all of their lives and the people they work for feel some responsibility to them, some responsibility to the people that they serve," said Rosenstein on the latest edition of the Backgrounder Podcast. Striking Verizon employees and their allies are scheduled to hold a demonstration in front of the Statehouse Monday.
The Verizon strike, now in its second week, came when the CWA New Jersey and other labor groups were already gearing up to promote passage of a constitutional amendment that would require the state to make regular payments to public pensions.
Rosenstein lays out why New Jersey voters, even those who don't have public pension benefits, should support the amendment when the public question appears on the ballot in November.
She also emphasizes the need to pass Leah's Law, legislation aimed at protecting state child welfare workers that was vetoed by the governor in January, and she explains the political relevance of labor organizations in next year's gubernatorial race.
You can hear the entire interview by clicking on the orange play button at the top of the page.
Paul Brubaker, former journalist and congressional spokesman, keeps it real with the people who make New Jersey the most fascinating place on Earth. Check back every week for a new episode of 'The Backgrounder.'