New Jersey State AFL-CIO is a state-level body of the AFL-CIO labor union federation that represents over 1 million New Jersey union members. The union supports left-of-center policy goals, such as a higher minimum wage and stricter labor laws. It has traditionally leaned toward supporting Democrats and has become more pro-Democratic over the 2018 and 2020 election cycles.

Political Positions

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO supports stronger labor regulations, increased spending on public education, increased government investment in infrastructure, increasing access to healthcare through government regulation, government funding for apprenticeship programs, government support for workers to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, government investment in environmentalist jobs, increased taxpayer funding of government worker pension funds, and increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour. ^[1]

In 2020, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO endorsed legislation to implement looser standards for workers to qualify as standard employees instead of independent contractors. The bill was largely seen as a targeted attempt to force ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft to reclassify their drivers as standard employees. ^[2]

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO endorses President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bills. In August 2021, union leaders met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Peter Buttigieg to discuss the proposal’s benefits for New Jersey, including $4.1 billion for public transportation in New Jersey. ^[3]

Endorsements

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO endorses candidates based on a vote held throughout all of its affiliated unions. The union has traditionally favored Democrats but also endorsed and funded Republicans. Former long-time president Charles Marciante served on the labor advisory council for the Republican National Committee. ^[4]

In June 2021, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO announced its endorsements in the 2021 election. The union almost exclusively endorsed Democrats, including incumbent Democratic Governor Phil Murphy (D-NJ), Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver (D-NJ), Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-NJ), and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-NJ). Out of New Jersey’s 40 districts, the union endorsed three Republicans, two of whom are union members, and abstained from making endorsements in eight districts, all of which had incumbent Republican assemblymen and senators. ^{[5] [6]}

In 2018, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO endorsed Democrats in all 12 of New Jersey’s U.S. Congressional seats, with the exception of incumbent Republican Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), who voted with the AFL-CIO’s positions 61% of the time. ^[7]

Committee on Public Education

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO runs the “Committee on Public Education,” a voter education and outreach committee. As of 2021, the committee claims to have helped 1,138 candidates get elected in New Jersey. ^[8]

Labor Candidates School

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO runs a “Labor Candidates School” which trains union members to run for office. As of June 2021, the union claims over 150 graduates of the school hold public office in New Jersey. ^[9]

Notable Industrial Actions

SERV Mercer County Strike

On August 26, 2021, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and AFSCME New Jersey Council 63 engaged in a strike against the SERV Mercer County office (Mercer County Human Services Department) for alleged unfair labor practices. On September 7, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy (D-NJ) joined the unions for a sanctioned one-day strike. ^[10]

Trump Taj Mahal Strike

In 2015, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO ordered a strike at the Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, NJ. The strike was announced after Donald Trump sold the financially troubled building to financier Carl Icahn who cut worker benefits immediately after the acquisition. ^[11]