Yearly Archives: 2026

April WEConnect 2026

Donate Now Executive Director's Message It’s hard to believe it’s already April — it feels like we were just ringing in the new year. The year has already brought major change to New Jersey, with Governor Mikie Sherrill making energy affordability a top priority. Her administration is expanding our solar goals and has announced a new task force on nuclear energy. As energy bills rise, at home and at the pump, we’re all feeling the strain. Now is not the time to pull back from renewable energy. It’s the time to double down and lay the groundwork for a renewable energy future. Below, you’ll find highlights of our recent work: pushing back against dangerous rollbacks that would put workers and communities at risk of chemical disasters, standing with allies to protect funding for the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, and partnering with the Healthy Schools Now coalition to secure funding for public school construction and ensure our schools are free from mercury hazards. I also want to take a moment to thank you for being part of WEC. These are challenging times. As corporate greed rises, environmental protections are threatened, and workers’ rights face ongoing attacks, our collective voice matters [...]

By |2026-07-09T13:18:03-04:00April 13th, 2026|WEConnect Newsletter|Comments Off on April WEConnect 2026

Too hot, poor ventilation, overlooked: Newark’s East Ward students are learning in decades-old buildings

While Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s proposed budget does not add new money to the SDA, Maggie Garbarino, Sherrill’s deputy press secretary, said her administration will follow an existing funding schedule established in 2023 that will add $350 million for school construction projects that have already been started and an additional $50 million for emergency repairs in high-poverty districts this budget cycle. Read more here.

By |2026-07-09T12:20:01-04:00March 31st, 2026|Highlights, WEC in the News|Comments Off on Too hot, poor ventilation, overlooked: Newark’s East Ward students are learning in decades-old buildings

NJEA Review

New Jersey Public Schools and Asbestos By Dorothy Wigmore a long-time health and safety specialist and WEC consultant. She has worked in Canada, the U.S. and Mozambique, focusing on prevention and worker participation to fix job-related hazards.  New Jersey has many old school buildings. When districts decide to renovate or upgrade them, it’s time for NJEA members to ask about asbestos hazards. That’s a lesson the Wayne Education Association (WEA) learned once renovations started on the oldest of 15 buildings in the district,  the Preakness Early Childhood Center.  Read the full article from the NJEA Review here. Below is a list of additional resources not included in the original article. New Jersey Department of Health Asbestos: https://www.nj.gov/health/ceohs/asbestos/  Hazard Communication Standard: https://www.nj.gov/health/workplacehealthandsafety/peosh/peosh-health-standards/hazcom.shtml Indoor air quality standard: https://www.nj.gov/health/workplacehealthandsafety/peosh/peosh-health-standards/iaq.shtml; Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illness Standard: https://www.nj.gov/health/workplacehealthandsafety/peosh/peosh-health-standards/record.shtml Right to know: https://www.nj.gov/health/workplacehealthandsafety/right-to-know/ New Jersey Education Association, Health and safety publications: https://www.njea.org/health-safety-publications/ New Jersey Government Records Council, OPRA (Open Public Records Act) for the public: https://www.nj.gov/grc/public/ New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act (and standards): https://www.nj.gov/labor/safetyandhealth/resources-support/laws-regulations/peoshact.shtml

By |2026-07-09T13:28:10-04:00March 5th, 2026|Fact Sheets|Comments Off on NJEA Review

Health and Safety Protections Against Chemical Emergencies Eliminated and Weakened in New Trump EPA Proposal

Washington, D.C. — Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to delay, weaken, and dismantle key safeguards against chemical emergencies and disasters, while millions of people nationwide, including children, live daily in harm’s way near industrial chemical facilities. The  latest Trump plan threatens the lives and safety of  the over 177 million Americans who live in worst-case scenario zones near chemical facilities. The proposal increases the likelihood of chemical emergencies and disasters for workers, first responders, and children and families who live within a chemical danger zone,  breaking the administration’s promises to “make America healthy.” Read More here.

By |2026-07-09T12:20:45-04:00February 17th, 2026|Highlights, Uncategorized, WEC in the News|Comments Off on Health and Safety Protections Against Chemical Emergencies Eliminated and Weakened in New Trump EPA Proposal

A $10.5B school construction bond could help fix Newark’s old school buildings

A proposed $10.5 billion state school construction bond could unlock new funding for Newark Public Schools and other school districts in the state to address longstanding needs for new schools and urgent repairs. Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz introduced legislation Thursday that, if approved, would ask voters in November to authorize new state bonds for school construction, expansion, and renovation projects in high-poverty districts as well as others. Read more here.

By |2026-07-09T12:21:11-04:00February 6th, 2026|Highlights, WEC in the News|Comments Off on A $10.5B school construction bond could help fix Newark’s old school buildings

Labor, Environmentalists, and Community Groups Applaud Action to Make New Jersey Rail Safer Despite Heavy Industry Opposition

January 22, 2026 Labor, Environmentalists, and Community Groups Applaud Action to Make New Jersey Rail Safer Despite Heavy Industry Opposition TRENTON, NJ – In the final week of his administration, Governor Murphy signed S3389, which creates some of, if not the strongest, regulations on railroad operators in the country. Under the new law, rail companies transporting hazardous materials will be required to have two-person crews on all trains, take active measures to install wayside detectors, submit bridge condition reports to the state, and allow for worker inspections at facilities. These measures were supported by a diverse coalition of stakeholders including labor unions, environmental groups, and community members who live near railroad tracks. While advocates and experts pushed for even greater regulation in the aftermath of multiple major accidents in recent memory, including in East Palestine, Ohio (2023) and Paulsboro, New Jersey (2012), the steps taken by the state have been called common sense actions that will decrease the likelihood of a catastrophic event. These measures are especially important given the inaction at the federal level. Railroad companies have lobbied against any additional safety regulations and while successful at the federal level, were unable to kill this bill in Trenton. Read the [...]

By |2026-08-11T10:11:47-04:00January 26th, 2026|Highlights, Press Releases|Comments Off on Labor, Environmentalists, and Community Groups Applaud Action to Make New Jersey Rail Safer Despite Heavy Industry Opposition
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