New Jersey Gov. Corzine Addresses Local 108 General Membership Meeting (10/19/09)

 (l to r) RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum, Local 108 President Charles N. Hall, Jr., and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine.

 New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine spoke with RWDSU members at the Local 108 General Membership meeting in New Jersey yesterday, reiterating his commitment to working families and unions and the issues that affect them.

"I am a friend of unions, and I am committed to working toward health care reform and fixing our economy," Corzine said. "We need to continue to put workers' issues at the forefront. Paid family leave, continuing our expansion of healthcare programs for children, and passing labor agreements for government projects with guidelines for fair wages and benefits; these are all priorities of this administration."

Local 108 President Charles N. Hall, Jr., praised the governor for his work during his first term.

"Jon Corzine has continually stood by us. He was with us at Local 108 when negotiations reached an impasse at Academy Bus Company, and he helped us avoid a strike and reach a fair contract. He was with us during our long dispute with Strauss Auto Company," Hall said. "He is a leader who stands up for working families."

RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum also addressed the general membership meeting to speak about the current gubernatorial campaign in New jersey.

"Jon Corzine has taken the lead in the issues that matter most to working people, like health care and paid family leave," Appelbaum said. 

"His opponent, Chris Christie, opposes paid family leave and wants to allow insurance companies to operate mandate-free. His views are out of step with the concerns of working people in New Jersey," Appelbaum added.