Better said: perhaps the worm is turning despite wishing to remain the same.

All things come to those who wait… and watch.

Mary R. Walker
NJMVC
Involuntarily ‘Retired’ Shop Steward
Trenton Resident
Full dues payer… despite the endless squandering of my dues.

‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.’
Mark Twain

CWA Local 1033 has been made aware in writing, as well as by phone, of a flagrant violation regarding misuse of State equipment (for personal gain) at the Motor Vehicle Commission.

Considering the number of disciplines which have been meted out by management (I have represented a few employees on these charges), I find it quite astonishing that no one has questioned the above mentioned matter.

We, the Members for Change, believe in parity for all, and transparency in all things relating to our jobs, our employer AND the functioning of CWA Local 1033.

We may have a handle on our employer (and the Governor Elect promises to do the same); what we have NOT yet achieved is transparency regarding the expenditures of Local 1033.

We hold fast to our pledge to continue on the path of achieving clarity and transparency within Local 1033 as well.

That’s a promise.

Mary R. Walker
NJMVC
Involuntarily ‘Retired’ Shop Steward
Trenton Resident
Full dues payer… despite the endless squandering of my dues.

‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.’
Mark Twain

Why not?

Pretty simple: it gives Roeder a new platform, another opportunity to grandstand on behalf of the workers….NOT.

Grandstanding on behalf of Rae Roeder, who, for all of her smarts, would have been better served as a theater major in college.

She is unusually good at performing, especially before a crowd.

Mary R. Walker
NJMVC
Involuntarily ‘Retired’ Shop Steward
Trenton Resident
Full dues payer… despite the endless squandering of my dues.

‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.’
Mark Twain

By Claire Heininger and Josh Margolin
NewarkStar-Ledger
November 10, 2009

As he seeks concessions from state workers to balance his first budget,Gov.-elect Chris Christie is examining the possibility of declaring a financial emergency in the state, according to an official familiar with his plans.Such a declaration — invoking the same law as if New Jersey were hit by a natural disaster — could give Christie broad powers, such as suspending rules governing state worker layoffs.

With many state workers due to receive two raises in the next fiscal year and a no-layoff pledge in place through December 2010, Christie’s transition team expects to tackle the issue before he takes office Jan. 19, two of his advisers said yesterday.

The advisers, who requested anonymity because the discussions are preliminary, said it is too early to determine whether a state of emergency would be an attractive proposition or a last resort in the face of a continuing recession.

Christie, a Republican who defeated Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine last week, will face an estimated $8 billion shortfall for the budget he must present by March.His budget balancing options are limited because he has ruled out raising taxes or cutting state aid to K-12 education.

Corzine invoked the state of emergency provisions of New Jersey law in July 2006 in ordering the shutdown of state government after the unprecedented breakdown of budget talks between himself and the Legislature. New Jersey’s Constitution mandates a balanced state budget,so if a budget is not in place or if the spending plan is out of balance, government lawyers believe that is a legal “emergency.”

Corzine’s aides considered employing the same provisions earlier this year as state revenue plummeted in the face of a crashing national economy. But Corzine and the largest state workers union, the Communications Workers of America, reached an agreement calling for 10 unpaid furlough days while deferring a wage increase in exchange for a no-layoff pledge through December 2010.

Christie was critical of that deal throughout the campaign and reiterated yesterday he is not “bound by” the no-layoff agreement. He said working out a solution with unions is a priority to deal with”right away.”"I want to leave my options open to reach a fair and appropriate resolution in light of the economic circumstances that confront the state today,” Christie said at a news conference in Hamilton.

“It may turn out that there are no layoffs. If we can reach a fair agreement with all the parties that recognizes the pressures that the taxpayers are under and the state government is under, I would hope to have no layoffs. But that’s going to be a product of the negotiations that we’re going to have to have. So that’s not something that can wait.”

Christie was reluctant to be more specific. But he described his general attitude toward dealing with unions as “I vowed to be fair.I’m not going to be a pushover, and that’s going to be a change. “and we will have a tough but fair negotiation that will result in a fair contract to both parties.”

Bob Master, a spokesman for the CWA who earlier this year called the emergency option “dictatorial,” said Christie should respect thenegotiations over the summer with Corzine.

“Emergency or no emergency, we believe that we have a binding collective bargaining agreement,” he said. “We think it would be a big mistake to start by voiding an agreement that was negotiated in good faith and that we believe is binding on both the administration and the union regardless of who is actually governor.”

Master declined to say whether the CWA would consider another wage deferral or other concessions to prevent layoffs. In July 2006, Corzine invoked the Disaster Control Act when he issued Executive Order 17. It authorized him to exercise “emergency powers”and said “the statutory and regulatory provisions governing layoffs in state government ” are hereby suspended.”

Corzine then furloughed 45,000 “nonessential” state workers for the week long shutdown. They were later paid for the time off. A spokesman for Corzine declined to comment yesterday.Like Corzine before him, Christie could invoke the emergency powers conferred upon him by the state Disaster Control Act, which gives the governor vast decision-making authority over resources and finances.

But Christie’s interpretation and use of those powers could vary from his predecessor’s to accommodate the new governor’s circumstances.Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, an ironworker leader who has sparred with state worker unions, said it would be “natural” for Christie to consider the emergency option.”It wouldn’t be a stretch to say there’s a financial emergency,” said Sweeney (D-Gloucester). “That’s obviously a very powerful tool that he has at his disposal.”

Sweeney previously advised Corzine to invoke provisions of state-worker contracts that would allow the governor to forgo wage increases if the Legislature did not fund them due to an emergency. “If we don’t give him the money, then he can’t spend it,” Sweeney said yesterday. “That’s in the contract and it’s recognized, so you’re not breaking their contract.” Sweeney said he has not discussed the emergency issue with Christie.

Under the current agreement, CWA workers expect to receive two raises in the next budget year: one on July 1, 2010, and one in January 2011.Each wage increase would be 3.5 percent. If the state initiates layoffsbefore 2011, the January 2011 raises would kick in immediately,according to the deal.

Natura inest in mentibus nostris insatiabilis quaedam cupiditas veri videndi.

And yes, I can translate those quotes..

Can you?

Mary R. Walker
NJMVC
Involuntarily ‘Retired’ Shop Steward
Trenton Resident
Full dues payer… despite the endless squandering of my dues.

‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.’
Mark Twain

Interesting to note that while Rae Roeder did NOT support Corzine (nor Christie), there appears a campaign sign ON THE UNION OFFICE LAWN, right here ON STATE STREET… supporting Coleman and Gusciora.

Fascinating, considering that Roeder won’t endorse Corzine.

Then again, Gusciora RENTS AN OFFICE FROM 1033…talk about strange bedfellows.

Of course, Roeder has her OWN ethics. They’re called: whatever suits me will suit everyone else.

Don’t tell us you didn’t know, Roeder. Your SUV was there, and the lights were on like a Christmas tree in the office.

Little wonder neither Coleman nor Gusciora got MY vote.

Nor did Roeder in the last rigged union election.

Mary R. Walker
NJMVC
Involuntarily ‘Retired’ Shop Steward
Trenton Resident
Full dues payer… despite the endless squandering of my dues.

‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.’
Mark Twain

What a warm and fuzzy sense of comfort for State workers, especially part-timers and those with little seniority.

Thank you Rae Roeder, Local 1033, for sidestepping your responsibility in encouraging the membership to vote for Corzine. How very grateful they’ll be when they find themselves out of a job or, employed with reduced benefits.

Please, PLEASE spare us your regular and oh so tiresome rant about the membership taking the lead. Those of us who have worked with you (actually, FOR you) know far better. The membership will lead, as long as the membership follows your instruction. The folks you regularly feed at the membership meetings know the power of a free meal (wait, my dues help pay for those ‘free’ meals). Interesting how your ‘meetings’ are designed to exclude those with family responsibilities, or responsibilities which lead them home after work. When, pray tell, will you encourage a wider participation?

Tuesday approaches. Christie or Corzine. No matter which, you’ll be employed. So will your staff, including the one who forfeited state employment due to theft.

The website stays. The comments will continue.

In for the long haul, yep.

Mary R. Walker
NJMVC
Involuntarily ‘Retired’ Shop Steward
Trenton Resident
Full dues payer… despite the endless squandering of my dues.

‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.’
Mark Twain

For a state worker there can be no choice but Corzine. A vote for Christie is a vote for job losses in the tens of thousands.

It is absolutely inexcusable and indefensible that 1033, under the reign of Rae Roeder, has not come out in support of the Governor.

She keeps certain ‘expenditures’ top secret, but refuses to support, monetarily or otherwise, the only hope for the workers.

NOR has Rae Roeder stepped up to the plate regarding the top heavy patronage jobs at ALL levels of state government. As the top dogs continue to scavenge the financial spoils including making MORE ‘titles’ available to their cronies, the low level grunts remain tethered to a job and pay freeze, dealing with furloughs and the ever present threat of unemployment.

THIS is what YOUR LOCAL1033 UNION DUES SUPPORT:
1. Local 1033 Staff SALARIES WHICH REMAIN SECRET.
2. Continued employment of a THIEF whose job remains a mystery.
3. All talk and NO ACTION regarding the scavengers at the TOP levels of state government.
4. HAND PICKED executive board members who have a vested interest in agreeing with Roeder.
5. HAND PICKED committee chairs who ALSO have a vested interest in following the Roeder party line.
6. NO opportunity to contact the Local on line. It’s 2009, folks. EMAIL is part of the 21st century.

For the record: this website will remain.

Dissent will NOT be denied no matter the methods Roeder attempts to use in order to achieve same.

Over the past 18 months, MFC have repeatedly been forced to fight for our democratic rights within this union.

We will continue this crusade until transparency and true democracy rules.

Count on it.

Mary R. Walker
NJMVC
Involuntarily ‘Retired’ Shop Steward
Trenton Resident
Full dues payer… despite the endless squandering of my dues.

‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.’
Mark Twain

‘… well we are like-minded of the New Democratic Club of West Windsor, created because of inaction by Twp. chairperson, Rae Roeder on the Mercer County Democratic Party. Basically ignore her to get the job done! ‘

Truer words were never spoken.

Mary R. Walker
NJMVC
Trenton Resident
Full dues payer… despite the endless squandering of my dues by 1033

‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.’
Mark Twain

Roeder will NEVER allow independent communication among and from her staff, nor from or to to the ‘outside’ world. She will NEVER allow rank and file to email with concerns or objections…

How very…revolutionary! to think that the paranoid Roeder would move into the 21st century. A fantasy if there ever was one.

Actually, she would, under one condition: if she sets the passwords so that she has FULL access.

*shuddering*

Mary R. Walker
NJMVC
Trenton Resident
Full dues payer… despite the endless squandering of my dues by 1033

‘It’s NOT the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the FIGHT in the dog.’
Mark Twain