AFSCME NJ Members Rally at State House to Demand Healthcare Justice

June 4, 2025, Trenton, NJ — Nearly 200 members of AFSCME New Jersey Council 63 gathered today at the New Jersey State House Annex to demand action on skyrocketing healthcare costs for public workers. The event, part of a broader statewide coalition effort, was a powerful demonstration of union solidarity and the urgent need for reform.

“The mafia in this state, never had as good a racket as these insurance companies have, and it's got to stop.” said AFSCME NJ Executive Director Steve Tully in a passionate address to the crowd. “We are calling for unity with the taxpayers for common sense reforms, for affordability, accountability and transparency, and this can only get done one way. We have to do this through legislation.”

Standing on the steps of the State House, before a crowd of over a thousand union members from at least seven different unions, Director Tully continued, “To everybody in this building, both Democrats and Republicans alike, this is a threshold issue for us. Are you with us, the workers and the taxpayers, or are you with the insurance companies?

Members from across the state convened at the World War II Memorial before marching together to the rally site led by AFSCME NJ President, Ron McMullen. They were joined by community allies, labor partners from across the state, and elected officials who support fair, affordable, high-quality healthcare for the workers who keep New Jersey running.

AFSCME NJ members in attendance wore union green and carried signs that read “AFSCME for Healthcare Justice!” and “Stop Crushing Us with Premium Hikes!” The energy was high, the voices were loud, and the message was unmistakable! The status quo is unacceptable.

 About AFSCME New Jersey Council 63

AFSCME Council 63 is the voice of over 20,000 New Jersey public service workers. We organize for better wages, stronger benefits, and safer working conditions, and we never back down when our members are under attack.