In a private ceremony held Sept. 3 in Trenton, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill expanding prohibitions on employers concerning requirements for employees to attend or listen to communications related to political matters and another bill requiring New Jersey school districts provide instruction on the labor movement.
“Workers are the backbone of our state,” Murphy said. “Today, we are honoring the history of the labor movement while strengthening workers’ rights. Our actions today will help ensure that students understand the history of labor’s fight for fair wages and safe workplaces, while also promoting respect for our democracy by shielding employees from mandatory political or religious workplace messaging.”
Among those in attendance at the Executive State House were AFTNJ President Jennifer S. Higgins, New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charlie Wowkanech and HPAE President Debbie White.
“The American labor movement is essential to U.S. history, so that alone makes it worthy of instruction across New Jersey’s school districts,” Higgins said in a press release issued after the bills were signed. “It’s important for students to know how labor unions have shaped our country’s laws and policies around workers’ rights. Labor unions are also the reason child labor laws were enacted almost 90 years ago, giving children the opportunity to attend school and pursue a vocation of their choice instead of needing to work to support their families. Thanks to A1682/S1054 becoming law, New Jersey’s students will learn about these and other society-changing standards that emerged from the labor movement.”
