Councilman DeFusco Resolution Paves Way for City to Save $6.5M on Healthcare Costs, Prevent Layoffs

HOBOKEN, N.J. — A resolution introduced by Councilman Mike DeFusco at Wednesday night’s City Council meeting will help save more than $6.5 million in health insurance costs. The measure, which passed unanimously, urges the administration to bargain in good faith with all six labor unions and identify the best way to transition from using the city’s politically connected health insurance vendor to enrolling employees in the NJ Direct 10 program.

Additionally, Councilman DeFusco was successful in pushing the Mayor to rescind a portion of its public information policy that bars municipal employees from speaking publicly to the media, even in a personal capacity, without informing their direct supervisor and the city’s Business Administrator. This paved the way for dozens of employees to speak freely without fear of retaliation at last night’s council meeting.

“Our city employees are the men and women who keep Hoboken operating efficiently and effectively for residents everyday,” said Councilman Mike DeFusco. “For far too long, these individuals have been taken advantage of and silenced from speaking out against an administration whose only concern is lining the pockets of political donors with lucrative city contracts. Last night was an extraordinary step in the right direction to ensure our hard working employees are not being punished because of the administration’s inability to properly manage city finances. Now it’s time for the Mayor to put politics aside and do what’s right, not politically convenient, to prevent 79 disastrous layoffs. I will continue to fight for our employees and stand up for their rights until an acceptable agreement is reached and the budget crisis is responsibly addressed.”

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