CWA Local 1088

05/27/2026

A message from our Local:

Good Evening, Union Family.
I’m sure many of you are already aware of the recent change in leadership at OCBSS. Meredith Sheehan is no longer serving as Director. Deputy Director Jennifer Hagendoorn has assumed the role of Acting Director until further notice.

Today, we attended a meeting with Acting Director Hagendoorn, Board Counsel Brian Wilkie, HR Supervisor Eric Humphreys, and representatives from the Supervisors’ Union where many important issues affecting our membership were discussed. This was a very productive meeting, and we are pleased to report that positive changes are coming. Management is actively working on long overdue improvements, and further details will be provided as these changes are implemented.

These are changes that we as a Union have been fighting for over a long period of time. This progress would not have been possible without the support, solidarity, and strength of our membership. Thank you to everyone who stood behind your Executive Board during this arduous process. This is exactly what strong leadership and union solidarity look like.

As members of CWA Local 1088, we will continue to fight every day for fair wages, fair treatment, safe and respectful working conditions, and to ensure that the rights of every worker are protected. The labor movement has always been about workers standing together to create better workplaces and stronger futures for ourselves and our families. When we stand united, we are stronger than any challenge we face.

We are also asking all members to help us continue growing our Union. Please speak with coworkers who are not yet members and encourage them to join. The bigger we are, the stronger we are, and the stronger our voice becomes at the table. Also, please help spread the word to coworkers who may not currently be receiving our emails so they can stay informed and connected.

To show our solidarity and celebrate this important milestone in the history of our Local, together:

Wear RED tomorrow
Wear your Union shirts on Friday
Let’s continue building momentum, supporting one another, and fighting for the respect and dignity every worker deserves.

"The Labor Movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress" - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In Unity, Strength and Solidarity,

Diana Leon

President/CWA Local 1088

1130 Hooper Avenue

Toms River, NJ 08753

732-920-9695

05/27/2026

Dear Members,

CWA Local 1088’s officers attended the May 26, 2026 Board Meeting, including President Diana Leon, Secretary Wendy Solomon, Chapter Vice Presidents Steven Hernandez, Lynn Talarico, and Sue Prowse, as well as Shop Steward Yevgeniya Kanterezhi. Several resolutions on the agenda were of particular interest to our membership.

First, the Board introduced a resolution to appoint Board Member Caitlin Thomas‑Henkel to the Selection Review Committee for the Special Investigation.

A second resolution was presented to approve Phase Two of the investigation. This item was tabled and will be revisited during an upcoming special board meeting. We will notify the membership as soon as the date for that meeting is announced.

Lastly, a resolution was introduced authorizing the Board’s Chairperson, Pastor Hartney, to enter into a general release agreement. At this time, we do not have additional details regarding this agreement nor the parties involved.

Thank you all for your continued engagement. As more information becomes available, we will provide further updates.

📣 Welcome to CWA Local 1088 – Ocean County’s Union Strong Voice CWA Local 1088 is a proud chapter of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), representing nearly 400 dedicated public sector employees across New Jersey, with our roots firmly planted in Ocean County. We are the collective b...

05/19/2026

GREAT Membership meeting tonight 1088! Big shout out to CWA Local 1084 VP Tamila Carr for speaking on their accomplishments and how solidarity is critical for success! And a very special thank you to U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District Analilia Mejia for joining our meeting and pledging her support not just for us but for the labor movement and being such a dedicated champion for healthcare reform! we are grateful sister! ❤️ When We Fight, We Win!!!!!!

05/12/2026

04/29/2026

https://youtu.be/yJt7CTgDu_g

1 comment. "Major Updates from OCBSS Board Meeting (April 28, 2026)"

04/29/2026

Statements from supervisors and HSSA:

04/29/2026

Important update from OCBSS board meeting:
Dear Brothers, Sisters, and Siblings,

Today, Shop Stewards Yevgeniya Kanterezhi, Christina Edwards, Human Services Aide/CWA 1088 member Elaine Higgins, and myself Secretary Wendy Solomon attended the OCBSS monthly Board meeting. A number of important matters were discussed, but most notably, two resolutions were passed addressing ongoing workplace issues that we have consistently brought before the Board.

Special Counsel Ms. Steiger presented findings from the ongoing investigation to the Board and issued two key recommendations:

- Effective immediately, Assistant Administrator Heather Lynn has been demoted back to a supervisory role. Ms. Steiger explained that the Social Work Department is currently too top-heavy and requires additional frontline support to effectively run programs.

- Director Meredith Sheehan will no longer oversee the Human Resources Department, including all personnel matters. Moving forward, Board Counsel Brian Wilkie will manage HR under the direct supervision of the OCBSS Board.

Additionally, Human Services Aide Elaine Higgins addressed the Board regarding serious concerns about aides being instructed to complete Comprehensive Social Assessments (CSAs)—duties that have historically been performed by Social Workers. Aides are now being required to assess client needs and determine appropriate services, including handling complex domestic violence cases. These are cases that even Human Services Specialists 1 have not traditionally been assigned due to their complexity.

I also submitted job descriptions for both Human Services Aides and Social Workers, clearly demonstrating that CSAs align with the duties of Social Workers. The Board acknowledged these concerns and recommended that Civil Service be contacted for further guidance.

Another issue raised was the agency’s request to convert a current HSS4 position—currently filled out-of-title—into a bilingual HSS4 role. I expressed concern about this change, emphasizing that promotional opportunities for bilingual Human Services Specialists 3 are already extremely limited. I asked whether the position would be properly posted to allow all qualified HSS3 bilingual staff the opportunity to compete, rather than the position being appointed without a fair process.

We were also joined by members of the Supervisors’ Union, including President Ashley Kirk, Melissa Balbuena, and Kelli Bayerle who spoke in support of CWA.
They acknowledged the validity of the concerns raised by CWA 1088 and shared the challenges supervisors are facing, including managing understaffed departments and being pressured to impose unwarranted discipline on staff.

This was a significant day. The collective efforts, persistence, and courage shown by our members are making a real impact. We are seeing meaningful progress toward a more just and equitable workplace.

We want to thank all current and former members who have come forward with statements, participated in the investigation, and shown solidarity—whether by speaking out or simply wearing red on Thursdays. Your support matters.

We are stronger when we stand united.

04/17/2026

OCBSS Special Board Meeting 04/14/2026. For more information, contact your shop steward or Union officers.

1 like. "OCBSS Investigation Update: What Happened at the Special Board Meeting"