Letters To Asbury Press Support New Jersey IBEW Utility Workers

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Tuesday Letters to the Press

Published in the Asbury Park Press 1/25/05


Strikers need state's help

It's a shame that acting Gov. Codey's office has not responded to the numerous letters written by the striking workers of the local IBEW Union. They are on strike against FirstEnergy of Ohio, which owns Jersey Central Power and Light. These strikers have no contract to vote on because FirstEnergy is not bargaining in good faith. They cannot get unemployment even though they are locked out.

These people should be allowed to collect until this strike is over. Mediation meetings have been a waste of time because First-}Energy will not put a new contract on the table that would give the workers a fair benefits package. I urge state legislators to get involved and help these hard-working blue-collar workers before FirstEnergy starves them out. These people are the backbone of New Jersey. With election time coming, legislators should act now or lose the votes of many hard-working families.

Doug Darcy
LACEY