February 2018 - Work Environment Council

Bloomfield Mayor Venezia Joins Mayors of other Earned Sick Day Towns to Call for Statewide Action

Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia joined the mayors of Jersey City, Montclair, Newark, Passaic, Morristown, and Plainfield, to call for statewide legislative action to extend coverage to all New Jersey workers; Each of these municipalities have earned sick day policies in place. "Ensuring that all workers in New Jersey have access to earned sick days is a common sense policy to guarantee working families have options when a breadwinner needs time to recover from an illness or injury; allowing workers time off to recover while sick also protects the rest of us by keeping germs out of the workplace," said Dan Fatton, executive director for New Jersey Work Environment Council. Read the full story on TAP into Bloomfield.

By Debra Coyle|2018-03-02T12:30:36-05:00February 26th, 2018|Highlights, WEC in the News|Comments Off

Murphy’s Turn to Fix the Sickening Conditions of N.J.’s Urban Schools

Entire school districts are shutting down due to mold contamination and fears of asbestos exposure. Students are unable to drink from water fountains due to worries about high lead levels. Classroom temperatures reach triple digits in the spring and are freezing cold in the winter. A middle school shut down for months because of a collapsed roof. Districts comprised of a dozen schools constructed when horse and buggies ruled the roads. We aren't describing schools in a developing country. These conditions exist right here in New Jersey. Throughout our state, both in our state's poorer urban districts and in property tax strapped suburban towns, school buildings are crumbling and remain in desperate need of repair. Read the full opinion-editorial in the Star-Ledger by Elizabeth Smith, executive director of Statewide Education Organizing Committee and Jerell Blakeley, the Healthy Schools Now campaign organizer for the New Jersey Work Environment Council.

By Debra Coyle|2018-02-12T11:54:57-05:00February 12th, 2018|Highlights, Opinion Pieces|Comments Off

Transit Equity Rally

Transit Equity Rally: Workers & Community Members Demand Electrification of Transportation to Preserve our Climate and Create Jobs Jersey City, NJ – Dozens of people gathered at City Hall on Tuesday, February 6 to show support for the electrification of New Jersey’s transportation system. The event, organized by Jersey Renews in partnership with the Amalgamated Transit Union, brought together a diverse assembly of speakers to address how electrified public transportation can reduce air pollution, promote healthier communities, create jobs, and address climate change. "Jersey City stands with Jersey Renews and the Amalgamated Transit Union in their mission to promote the electrification of transportation," said Mayor Fulop. "On a local level, we are actively finding ways to reduce pollution, and I am proud to announce that we are beginning the process of installing electric vehicle charging stations and transitioning our municipal fleet to electric power. Together, we will continue to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint and build cleaner, healthier communities throughout New Jersey." "Gasoline powered vehicles are harmful to our environment and our health, especially in dense urban areas like Jersey City. Dangerous levels of pollution from cars, trucks, and buses on busy roads and highways make thousands of New Jerseyans sick [...]

By WEC Staff|2018-02-20T12:20:34-05:00February 6th, 2018|Highlights, Press Releases|Comments Off

Monthly Archives: February 2018

Bloomfield Mayor Venezia Joins Mayors of other Earned Sick Day Towns to Call for Statewide Action

Murphy’s Turn to Fix the Sickening Conditions of N.J.’s Urban Schools

Transit Equity Rally