TRENTON – The State of New Jersey and the Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO (CWA) today announced a tentative contract agreement in principle for a four-year contract impacting nearly 32,000 state workers.

“I am incredibly proud that we were able to work together to reach this contract agreement providing nearly 32,000 working families with fair wages and benefits,” said Governor Murphy. “This agreement will lift up our middle class and represents an important step in our journey of creating a stronger and fairer New Jersey for every family. At a time when many working families are struggling with the rising cost of living, we are ensuring that our State employees can do their jobs with the wages, benefits, and protections they deserve.”

"CWA members are part of the essential workforce that provides vital services to New Jersey residents and help keep this state running,” said Dennis G. Trainor, Vice President of Communications Workers of America District One. “I want to thank the Governor and his Administration for working with us to settle a historic contract that will lift up all New Jersey workers, and I look forward to working collaboratively with the Governor to continue making New Jersey even stronger."

The preliminary agreement will provide transformational changes for tens of thousands of public servants in New Jersey and their families, including across the board raises of 3.5 percent annually over the life of the four-year contract, resulting in greater take-home pay, as well as substantial changes to the civil service ranges and steps that will increase the salary guide for many of the State’s lowest paid workers. The contract also includes meaningful reimbursement rate increases for eye care and the addition of one day of bereavement leave each year.

The contract is retroactive to July 1, 2023 and will run through June 30, 2027. The total cost to the State will be forthcoming once the contract is ratified based on the agreement in principle.