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Union Victories!

Our Union Observer Grievance:

Dear Members,

The Union was originally denied the opportunity to appoint an observer to the Data Committee, which is now comprised of rpk GROUP consultants, NJCU administrators, and Senate appointees. The State contract gives the Union locals the right to appoint observers to college-wide committees, and Bill Calathes, the Local’s grievance chair, initiated a grievance. An Agreement has been signed that permits the appointment of an observer and alternate to the Data Committee. The Union is also appointing an observer and alternate to the Steering Committee which is also comprised of rpk GROUP consultants, NJCU administrators, and Senate appointees.

-The Agreement

-Joe Moskowitz 2020 Settlement Agreement

Barbara Hildner
President, Local 1839

 

Labor Must Take on Capital

Unions must expand beyond narrow bargaining to challenge those who hold wealth and power at the highest levels. by Saqib Bhatti & Stephen Lerner (READ...)

Affordable Care Act

President Bill Calathes would like you to see the following correspondence provided by CNJSCL President Tim Haresign regarding current AFT policy on the Affordable Care Act. As you can see, much needs to be worked out specifically regarding our understanding and implementation of this very important piece of legislation. Rest assured, that this work will be carried out thoroughly. Tim Haresign stated: 

 
“The issue of how adjunct work hours will be calculated for this remains unresolved.  I'm not sure at this point if we have agreement among ourselves as to how we would like to see the hours calculated.  We will need to decide this first and then develop a strategy (hopefully working with NJAFT) to get our preferred rules implemented.“
 
AFT Center for Collective Bargaining: Update on Affordable Care Act Proposed Rules (PDF)

Finally—it’s President-elect Biden

Patience—counseled by former Vice President Joe Biden all election week as Americans waited for votes to be counted—finally paid off Nov. 7, four days after Election Day, when Biden won in Pennsylvania and gained enough Electoral College votes to acquire a new title: president-elect. AFT President Randi Weingarten says the union’s leaders and members “can’t wait to get started” on the work ahead “with an administration that will embrace and fight for the values we hold dear.”

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The AFT calls for freedom to teach

AFT President Randi Weingarten today delivered a major address on the crisis hollowing out the teaching profession—massive disinvestment in public education and deprofessionalization. In her speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., she called for reinvestment and freedom to teach. It was followed by two panels featuring education leaders who laid out pragmatic solutions.

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Your vote is your voice

AFT President Randi Weingarten’s latest column outlines the urgency of using our voices—our votes—in this life-changing election, when we will make a choice “between President Donald Trump, who has trafficked in chaos, fear, lies and division, and former Vice President Joe Biden, who seeks to reverse Trump’s failures on COVID-19 and the economy, and to unite and uplift the American people.” Besides the four crises we face—a pandemic, an economic crisis, racism and a climate emergency—democracy itself is on the ballot, as Trump continues to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election.

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‘Back to school’ like never before

In her September New York Times column, AFT President Randi Weingarten says that going back to school has never looked like it does now. Weingarten explains that because of President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus, which has been chaotic, contradictory and inept, and the lack of federal guidance and funding, we’re seeing a patchwork of school reopening plans across the country.

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AFT members dive into candidate endorsement process

As the presidential elections inch closer and the field of candidates gets more and more competitive, AFT members are engaging, parsing campaign platforms, asking questions of the candidates, and voicing their priorities as educators, healthcare practitioners and public employees. Thus far, the AFT has hosted eight AFT Votes town halls in eight different locations across the country, giving members the opportunity to meet candidates in person and hear about their stands on education, working families, healthcare and other top-line issues. Also part of the AFT’s robust endorsement process: surveys, debate parties and lots of information on AFTVotes.org.

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Weingarten: Educators must save democracy

“Teachers have always had power,” AFT President Randi Weingarten told the crowd at the TEACH opening plenary Thursday afternoon. “We need to own our power. And we need to build our power so we can move our agenda—for our students and our families; for safe, welcoming and well-funded public schools; for affordable higher education; healthcare that is a right, not a privilege; a living wage; a decent retirement; a healthy climate and a strong democracy.”

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