CWA, Katz battle over Corzine emails (union leader Carla Katz and her former boyfriend Gov. Corzine)

[Omaha Steve]

Source: GANNETT STATE BUREAU

TRENTON ---- If union leader Carla Katz and her former boyfriend Gov. Jon
S. Corzine talked contract in the e-mails they are trying to keep out of the hands of
inquiring Republicans, she acted without authorization from the national Communications Workers of America, according to a brief filed by the national union today.

In briefs responding to a lawsuit filed by Republican State Committee chairman Tom Wilson seeking copies of e-mails exchanged by Katz, president of CWA Local 1034, and Corzine during contract negotiations, Katz has argued e-mails should remain private because collective bargaining communications are exempt under the state's Open Public Records Act.

But the national union filed a brief with state Superior Court Judge Paul Innes that
says Katz and the six other New Jersey local presidents adopted a resolution last fall prohibiting members of the bargaining committee from communicating individually or secretly with the governor or representatives of management.

Chris Shelton, a regional CWA vice president, issued a statement today saying Katz is "no different and no better" than any other CWA official.

Read more: http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070917/NEWS0301/70917023/1007/NEWS03

[Gman]

1. Ms. Katz no doubt is one of those bargaining committee members

that thinks SHE or the committee negotiates the contract when in fact the contract is negotiated by and between the national CWA and the state, or whoever. It says so on the first page of any CWA contract. Woe to he/she who thinks their local negotiates the contract or the local president calls the shots in bargaining.

The CWA national union will come in, take over that local and send Ms. Katz back to her job so fast it will make her head spin if she chooses to defy the national on this one. Especially if she screwed up.