New Jersey--Labor Unions: Profiles

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Sophie Cohen, a Jewish immigrant teenager in Paterson, New Jersey remembered attending IWW [International Workers of the World] picnics, dances, and mass meetings when she was fifteen. She and her teenage friends went on to attempt to organize the mills where they worked:

"I wasn’t an official organizer, but when I became a weaver, a girlfriend and I would take jobs in unorganized factories and try to organize them. We would refuse the four looms, saying it was too much for us. Because we were young girls, we were permitted to work only two. After a few weeks, we would hand out leaflets and call for an organizing meeting. We looked so innocent that the managers never thought we were capable of even believing in a union...."

Quoted in Stewart Bird, Solidarity Forever: An Oral History of the IWW (Chicago: Lake View Press, 1985), 67.

Below are a sampling of selected unions active in New Jersey. Please contact us with comments or corrections.

* New Jersey State AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations)
Charles Wowkanech
President

State affiliate of national AFL-CIO which represents more than 12.5 million workers across country. AFL-CIO founded in 1955 upon merger of formerly independent American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations. NJ last state in US to complete merger of separate state AFL and CIO organizations in 1961, New Jersey State Industrial Union Council remains as federation of largely former CIO industrial unions, occasionally splits with more conservative AFL-CIO on policy, political endorsements. National CIO established November 1935 following clash in prior month at AFL national convention in Atlantic City in which United Mine Workers President John L. Lewis, after his motions in favor of industrial unionism were rejected and ruled out of order, punched Bill Hutcheson of the Carpenters Union. Lewis then founded CIO (originally Committee of Industrial Organizations as unit within the AFL) with other disaffected AFL unions at meeting in Pittsburgh, created independent CIO in 1938 after ten unions expelled from AFL. Recent NJ State AFL-CIO issues include higher minimum wage, support of gas tax increase and dedicated transportation funding; funding of state and local government employee pensions; employee benefits for strikers; paid family leave; pay equity. Also actively encourages, trains union members to run as candidates for elected office. President Charles Wowkanech began labor career as member of operating engineers working in boiler maintenance, first elected AFL-CIO president in 1997.

* Amalgamated Transit Union
Retheena Goodwin
President-Local 825

One of 11 locals in NJ of Amalgamated Transit Union, largest labor organization representing transit workers in US and Canada. comprised of over 185,000 members in 268 local unions spread across 46 states and nine provinces. Members composed of bus drivers, light rail operators, maintenance and clerical personnel and other transit and municipal employees. Works to promote transit funding; worker safety; pensions and benefit security.

* American Association of University Professors
David M. Hughes
President, Rutgers AAUP-AFT

Association of faculty and other academic professionals headquartered in Washington, DC, chapters based at NJ colleges and universities. Founded in 1915, issues include higher education funding; academic freedom; tenure protection. Some chapters engage in collective bargaining through its sister labor union affiliate AAUP-CBC, which promotes organizing among faculty, academic professionals, and graduate employees, others partner with American Federation of Teachers. Rutgers AAUP-AFT chapter, largest in NJ, represents nearly 7,000 full and part-time faculty

* American Association of University Women of New Jersey
Carol Cohen
President

National AAUW, founded in 1881 to promote equity and education for women and girls. now more than 170,000 members and supporters across US, as well as 1,000 local branches and over 800 college and university partners. Offers scholarships and other educational support. Current issues include gender pay equity; educational financing.

* American Federation of Government Employees
Vincent Castellano
District 2 National Vice President

Founded 1932, largest federal employee union representing 670,000 federal and D.C. government workers nationwide and overseas. Workers in virtually all functions of government. District 2 covers 20,000 employees in NJ, NY, and New England.

* American Federation of Musicians
Anthony Scally
President, Northern New Jersey Musicians' Guild

80,000 musician members in US and Canada, largest union of musicians in world. Performers in orchestras, backup bands, festivals, clubs and theaters, members also make music for films, TV, commercials and sound recordings. Nine locals in NJ , largest Northern NJ Musicians' Guild in Paterson which covers all or part of 9 counties.

* American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees- New Jersey
Sherryl Gordon
Executive Director-Council 1

State chapter of nation’s largest public services employees union founded 1932, now more than 1.6 million working and retired members. Largest union within national AFL-CIO. Maintains 7 offices in NJ. Members include nurses, corrections officers, child care providers, sanitation workers, emergency medical technicians. Advocates for stable, increased funding for public pensions; civil service protections; health benefits.

* American Federation of Teachers-New Jersey
Donna Chiera
President

Statewide organization and union of teachers and other personnel engaged in education in private schools, public schools, charter schools, and higher education. Formerly known as NJ State Federation of Teachers. Locals located at over 20 pre-K through 12 school districts, Rutgers and most county colleges. Partners with American Association of University Professors at some college chapters, including Rutgers AAUP-AFT with 7,000 members. Issues include teacher tenure; student testing; pensions and benefits.

* American Postal Workers Union
Marc Dimonstein
President

Represents more than 200,000 US Postal Service employees and retirees, and nearly 2,000 private-sector mail workers. More than 900 state and local unions and retiree chapters in every state and territory, locals in NJ at New Brunswick, Red Bank, Blackwood. Just under 22,000 postal employees in NJ as of 2013, on per household basis, USPS employs more workers in NJ than any other state at 6.9 per 1,000 households.

* Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union
Joyce Alston
President-Local 719

Founded in 1886, one of earliest US unions, merged with tobacco workers union in 1978. Represents workers in US and Canada employed in manufacturing, production, maintenance and sanitation in bakery, confectionery, tobacco and grain milling industries. Local 719 in Fair Lawn base of NJ operations.

* Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union of New Jersey
Richard Tolson
Director, NJ Administrative District Council

Part of International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers founded 1865, oldest continuous union in North America. Represents 80,000 craftworkers in trowel trades, including bricklayers, stone and marble masons, cement masons, plasterers, tile setters, terrazzo and mosaic workers, and pointers/cleaners/caulkers. 2 NJ locals in Bordentown and Fairfield.

* Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
David Decker
Chairman, NJ Transit General Committee of Adjustment

Organized 1863 in Michigan, believed to be oldest transportation union in US. Merged 2004 into International Brotherhood of Teamsters, now operates as division of Teamsters Rail Conference. Members in NJ include those employed at NJ Transit, Conrail, PATH and SEPTA.

* Communications Workers of America-New Jersey
Chris Shelton
President

Represents more than 70,000 members in NJ, including more than 40,000 state government workers, 15,000 county and local government workers, and thousands of workers in telecommunications (including Verizon) and direct-care industries. CWA NJ includes over 30 chartered local unions and part of CWA District 1, which includes NY, NJ and New England. Also local affiliates in most of county colleges and in several of state colleges. Issues include pension funding; contract bargaining; health benefits; education funding. Chris Shelton elected national CWA president 2015, previously vice president of CWA District 1, representing 160,000 members in more than 300 CWA locals in NJ, NY and New England.

* Council of New Jersey State College Locals
Tim Haresign
President

Affiliate of American Federation of Teachers, comprised of 11 locals representing over 10,000 faculty, adjunct faculty, librarians and professional staff at The College of New Jersey, Kean University, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University and the A. Harry Moore School, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Stockton University, Rowan University, Thomas Edison State University and William Paterson University. Acts as bargaining agent and assists members with grievances, arbitrations and other matters to resolve employment-related problems.

* New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police
Robert W. Fox
President

NJ chapter formed 1998,of national association founded 1915 now with 345,000 members in more than 2,200 local lodges. Only state and federally recognized Labor Council representing all levels of law enforcement, including municipal police departments, county sheriff officers, state and federal law enforcement.
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* Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers International Union
Matthew McCarty
NJ Representative

One of oldest labor unions in America, origins date to 1842, early membership largely among glass blowers at NJ, PA glass plants. Merger with United Steel Workers approved August 2016, will become GMP Council of USW. Now based in Media, PA, represents some 28,000 workers in glass, molders, plastics, pottery, cast metals, fiberglass, defense, fine china, glass and plastic containers, insulation and sanitary-ware industries as well as workers in government, healthcare and variety of other industries. Currently over 250 local unions throughout North America.

* International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts (IATSE)
Michael Barnes
Business Agent-Local 8

Founded 1893 as union of Broadway stagehands, now over 130,000 members internationally in live theater, motion picture and television production, trade shows and exhibitions, television broadcasting, and concerts as well as supporting equipment and construction shops in entertainment industry. 7 locals in NJ, Local 21 covers workers at Prudential Center, NJ Performing Arts Center, Newark Symphony Hall, Paper Mill Playhouse, State Theatre, 2 locals in Atlantic City cover casino workers. Michael Barnes, Business Agent for Local 8 in Philadelphia, also a Vice President of NJ AFL-CIO and International 1st Vice President of IATSE.

* International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Juan Negron
Directing Business Representative, District 15

Represents 720,000 members across North America. NJ District Lodge 15 one of largest districts in IAM with 19,000 active and retired members including auto and diesel mechanics, maintenance employees, truck drivers, black-car drivers, warehouse employees, janitors, aerospace employees, and clerical staff. Juan Negron elected President of Passaic County Central Labor Council in 2014, first Latino to head a NJ Central Labor Council.

* International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
James R. Chew Jr.
Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer-Local 28

Organized in 1880, one of oldest unions in US, in Kansas City, Kansas. Members employed in heavy industry, shipbuilding, manufacturing, railroads, cement, mining, and related industries constructing and repairing electric power plants, refineries, pulp and paper mills, and steel mills. NJ sites include nuclear power plants refineries, utility generating plants.

* International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers
Timothy Rudolph
President, Local 195 & Atlantic Council

International union with over 80,000 members in professional, technical, administrative and associated occupations in US and Canada. Members employed by federal state and local agencies, colleges and private employers. Occupations include auditors, drafters/designers, engineers, judges, lawyers, researchers, scientists, and technicians, Issues include infrastructure funding; immigration; trade. 9 NJ locals, Local 195 based in Milltown state headquarters.

* International Longshoremen’s Association
Harold J. Daggett
President

Largest union of maritime workers in North America, represents 65,000 longshoremen, other workers at docks. International headquarters based in North Bergen, Harold Daggett elected international president in 2011, also serves as Vice President of Executive Council of AFL-CIO. Most NJ members work in Port Newark/Elizabeth, Bayonne, Camden. Issues include investment in port facilities; worker safety.

* International Union of Heat and Frost Insulators
Fred Dumont
Business Manager-Local 89

Members specialize in commercial and industrial insulation, while also handling fire stopping, metal lagging and asbestos, mold and lead remediation. Business Manager Fred Dumont board member, NJ Economic Development Authority.

* International Union of Operating Engineers
Thomas P. Giblin
Business Manager-Local 68

Founded 1896, approximately 400,000 members in 123 local unions throughout US and Canada. Represents skilled maintenance and building trades workers, including stationary engineers, licensed boiler operators and mechanics who work in power plants, office buildings, hotels, manufacturing facilities, service industries, entertainment, industrial complexes, educational and health care facilities. 3 locals in NJ at West Caldwell, Manalapan and Springfield, IUOE also includes JNESO (Jersey Nurses Economic Security Organization) in North Brunswick, represents nurses and other health care workers in NJ and PA, formerly part of NJ State Nurses Association. Thomas Giblin, Business Manager of Local 68, also Deputy Majority Leader of NJ General Assembly, veteran Democratic activist, former Essex County freeholder.

*  International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
Vincent M. Lane
Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer, District Council 711

Founded 1887, now represents over 160,000 active and retired workers in US and Canada. Members include painters, paper hangers, drywall finishers, glaziers, decorators, paint makers, line stripers, sign painters in private and public sectors. NJ offices in Brick, Hammonton and Springfield, 9 locals in NJ.

* Ironworkers New Jersey (International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union)
Thomas Cox
President-Local 11

Represents 120,000 members in North America who work on bridges, structural steel, ornamental, architectural, and miscellaneous metals, rebar, and in shops. Members have worked on major construction projects including Golden Gate Bridge, St. Louis Arch, World Trade Center and Freedom Tower. Four locals in NJ at Newark, Trenton, Atlantic City and Camden. NJ Senate President Steve Sweeney serves as a vice president of international union.

* Laborers International Union of New Jersey (LIUNA New Jersey)
Raymond Pocino
President

Affiliate of Laborers’ International Union of North America with over 45,000 members, over 20,000 members in NJ working for some 1,000 employers, mostly in construction, but also manufacturing, service, and education. Maintains 9 locals. NJ President Raymond M. Pocino also Vice President and Eastern Regional Manager for Laborers’ International Union of North America, and a commissioner of Port Authority of New York and NJ and NJ Turnpike Authority. Sponsors NJ Laborers Political Action Committee, active politically in endorsements, campaign support. Endorsed Governor Chris Christie for re-election in 2012.

* New Jersey Education Association
Wendell Steinhauer
President

Largest education union, state affiliate of National Education Association. NJEA local affiliates in every school district in NJ, almost all of them legally recognized bargaining agents for that district's teachers, as well as representing interests of other education support professionals such as secretaries, building custodians, bus drivers and others. Membership in 2016 of over 203,000 members, including teachers (125,079); education support professionals (49,179); retired educators (28,180); student members (1059). Maintains one of largest lobbying operations in Trenton, reported $10.3 million expenditures on lobbying in 2015, highest of any group, primarily on pension security and funding; health benefits; mandatory student testing.

* New Jersey State Building and Construction Trades Council
William Mullen
President

Created in 1903, coordinates activity and provides support to 15 affiliated trades unions in construction industry, represents 13 Local Building Trades Councils, more than 100 local unions and over 150,000 rank and file members. Works to make job sites safer, provides apprenticeship and journey-level training, organize new workers, support legislation that affects working families, and assist in securing improved wages, hours and working conditions through collective bargaining and labor agreements at individual projects.

* New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police
Robert Fox
State President

Affiliate of National Fraternal Order of Police founded 1915, world’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers with 328,000 members in over 2,100 lodges. NJ State Lodge formed 1948, currently ranks as 7th largest State Lodge with more than 16,000 individual members. Comprised of active and retired officers in federal, state and local agencies. Offers legal defense services, lobbies at state and local level on police issues.

* New Jersey State Industrial Union Council
Carol Gay
President

Created as labor federation from unions affiliated with New Jersey Congress of Industrial Organizations following formation of New Jersey State AFL-CIO in 1961. Aligned with AFL-CIO on many policy issues, but also takes more liberal positions on candiate endorsements, other policies such as income inequality. Membership comprises unions and other worker supportive organizations and individuals who advocate for workers’ rights.

* New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association
Pat Colligan
President

Represents 33,000 members in county and local police departments, state agencies, correctional facilities with over 400 locals throughout state, many of which act as bargaining agents in contract negotiations. Active lobbyist on state and local police subjects, also endorses political candidates. Issues include pension security and funding; health benefits; supervision and discipline;

* Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters
William Sproule
President and NJ Regional Manager

Headquartered in Edison, represents professional crafts members in NJ, DE and regions in MD, NY, and PA. Issues include infrastructure investment; trade; labor laws; workplace safety; right-to-work laws.

*  Office and Professional Employees International Union
Sharon Eastwick
Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer, Local 32

Chartered in 1945, now over 104,000 members. Local 32 in Wall Township represents 6,000 members in NJ, PA and DE. Members work in variety of technical, professional, clerical, white collar and blue collar professions, including as secretaries, administrative assistants, accountants, computer technicians, teachers, social workers, salespeople and other professional and clerical titles.

* Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey
Dominick Marino
President

State affiliate of International Fire Fighters Association. Chartered by IAFF in 1929 under name of Uniformed Firemen’s Association of NJ, adopted current name in 1996. Represents over 3,500 of N’s approximately 6,000 professional firefighters. Headquartered in Trenton, 70 local affiliate unions throughout state.

* Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
Charles Hall, Jr.
President, Local 108

Chartered 1937, based in NY City. Members in wide variety of occupations ranging from food processing to retail to manufacturing to service and health care, including retail, poultry, supermarket and government. Local 108 in Maplewood represents 3,200 members, President Charles Hall, Jr., also chair of Working Families United for NJ, coalition of labor and progressive organizations advocating for income equality, paid family leave, other progressive positions.

* Service Employees International Union, New Jersey State Council
Wilfredo Larancuent
President

Represents 40,000 service workers in private and public sectors, including over 7,000 workers in nursing homes and home care, largest percentage of long term care workers in NJ, also hospital interns and residents. Other members in building services; motor vehicle agencies; municipal services; hospitals; food service; hospitality; gaming; apparel; textile; manufacturing; and distribution. Issues include income inequality and wage levels; pensions and health benefits; immigration reform; support for working families.

* Sheet Metal Workers International Association
Joseph Denmark, Jr.
President/Business Manager-Local 25

Established 1888, 134,000 members and 205 locals throughout US and Canada. Workers employed by contractors, builders Local 25 in Carlstadt covers northern NJ; Local 27 in Farmingdale covers central and southern NJ. Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association and the United Transportation Union which merged in January of 2008

* Teamsters Joint Council 73
Alphonse Rispoli, Jr.
President

International Brotherhood of Teamsters includes 1.4 million members in North America, initially founded 1903 to represent drivers of horse-drawn carriages, remains largest union for drivers, but expanded to represent workers in health care, government, construction workers, airline pilots, secretaries and police officers. Disaffiliated from national AFL-CIO in 2005. NJ Joint Council 73 in Springfield represents represents 16 Locals, 55,000 members, in NJ and Metro area, assists Locals in organizing drives, strike line assistance, coordinated bargaining, officer member education, civic and charitable events, legislative issues, corporate campaigns and rallies. Locals include 970 in Union with 7,200 members, 676 in Collingswood with 4,000, 860 in Mountainside with 3,900, 560 in Union City with 3,200, 125 in Union with 3,200, others in Rahway, Linden, Springfield, Hillside, North Brunswick, Trenton, Hazlet.

* UAW Region 9
Terry Dittes
Director

Formal name United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Region 9 with headquarters in Amherst NY covers western and central NY, NJ and PA, excluding counties of Franklin, Cumberland, Adams and York. Members work in automotive, aerospace and steel industries. Previously a leading member of independent Congress of Industrial Organizations, then NJ CIO and UAW-NJ president Joel Jacobson became vice president of NJ State AFL-CIO upon merger in 1961. Over 400,000 active members and 580,000 retired members in US, Canada and Puerto Rico. Last NJ auto manufacturing and assembly facility closed 2005 by GM in Linden; other plants previously at Edison (Ford); Mahwah (Ford); and Ewing (GM parts).

* United Food and Commercial Workers
Harvey Whille
President-Local 1262

Affiliate of United Food and Commercial Workers International with 1.3 million members, Local 1262 with 30,000 members one of three NJ UFCW locals. Represents workers in major supermarket and food chains, including Acme, Foodtown, Food Emporium, Grand Union, Gristede's, I.G.A., Key Foods, Kings, Pathmark, Shop Rite, Stop & Shop and Waldbaums. Members in jobs such as meat cutting/packing, food manufacturing and processing, cashiers, grocery clerks, delivery drivers, also other service related businesses. Affiliate of United Food and Commercial Workers International with 1.3 million members. Local 1262 WITH 30,000 members one of three NJ UFCW locals.

* United Steel Workers
Judy Danella, RN
President, Local 3-200

International union represents 1.2 million members in US, Canada and Caribbean. NJ presence largely through its Healthcare Workers Council Local 4-200 representing registered nurses employed at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and its Local 4-380 in Edison representing workers at Gerresheimer Glass; International Paper; National Gypsum; Gloucester County Utilities Authority. Parent USW also announced approval August 2016 of merger of Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers International Union into USW.

* Unite Here!
Bob McDevitt
President, Local 54

Based in Atlantic City, NJ affiliate of international union representing 270,000 workers across North America in hotel, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textile, distribution, laundry, transportation, and airport industries. Formerly Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union, changed name 2004 upon merger with textile workers union. Dominant NJ issue decline of Atlantic City casino-hotels, refused to meet ownership demands in negotiating contract with Trump Taj Mahal which preceded closing of property in October 2016.

* Utility Workers Union of America
Noel Christmas
President-Local 601

Over 50,000 members in US working in electric, gas, water, and nuclear industries. Local 601 in Hopelawn represents workers at Public Service Electric & Gas including meter readers, outside field collections, inside collections, customer service and call center jobs, walk in customer service representatives, and clerical staff. Also represents  NJ Transit employees in bus accident claims processing. Other locals in Howell, Middlesex.

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