Calling it an "issue of workers' rights and fairness," U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez offered his support for employee unionization during a panel discussion at the Rutgers University Labor Education Center on Feb. 12. Sen. Menendez came out in favor of mid-level administrators' right to form a union, saying, "unions provide an important voice for workers, ensuring an honest day's pay for an honest day's work."

Sen. Menendez chaired the public forum hosted by the Union of Rutgers Administrators, in coordination with the American Federation of Teachers and the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, to discuss the impact of the recent neutrality agreement reached between the University and the Union of Rutgers Administrators. Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) and Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch); Assemblymen Joe Malone (R-30) and Gary Schaer (D-36); Monsignor John J. Gilchrist, Holy Cross Church, Harrison; Patrice Mareschal, Assistant Professor, Rutgers University; and Michele Geban, Senior, Rutgers University, also participated on the panel.

More than 75 workers, faculty, students and elected officials attended the forum, which also focused on the Federal Employee Free Choice Act, currently headed for passage in the new Congress. Sen. Menendez urged the U.S. Congress to support the Employee Free Choice Act, an act which would ensure that when a majority of employees in a workplace decide to form a union, they do not have to go through a lengthy and expensive war with management.

Sen. Menendez is not the first major politician to come to the Rutgers campus to express support for unionization. Last week, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine appeared in front of Rutgers staff, saying he would protect their right to choose union representation. "People ought to have the ability to make a decision based on the free flow of information, especially on a college campus," he said. [Lindsay Albert]

Watch a video of Sen. Menendez's speech at Rutgers Labor Education Center.

February 16, 2007