February 22, 2011

Good Afternoon,

To date your negotiation team has met with the administrative team on:  February 24, 2010, March 4, 2010, March 17, 2010, March 31, 2010, April 14, 2010, May 4, 2010, May 26, 2010, June 7, 2010, June 16, 2010, June 29, 2010, October 28, 2010, November 22, 2010 and most recently on February 7, 2011. 

As you are aware, following our meeting of November 22, 2010, impasse was filed jointly with the management team and we waited for a mediator to be assigned and scheduled.  That first session was scheduled by PERC for February 7, 2011.  Unfortunately the mediator was ill and the meeting did not occur, resulting in a future March meeting.  

Your team took this opportunity to re-visit economic items and re-open dialogue with management.  While we were pleased with the direction of the conversation, no additional items were finalized.  However, we feel cautiously optimistic that we will be able to settle with a modest increase and without the assistance of the mediator.

Please rest assured that your team remains committed to maintaining a fair contract while preserving the benefits of our previous contracts.  A future member meeting will be held as soon as we have more information that we can share. 

Sheri Ventura

President,

Academic –Administrative Personnel Federation – Local 3983

Good Afternoon,

To date your negotiation team has met with the administrative team on:  February 24, 2010, March 4, 2010, March 17, 2010, March 31, 2010, April 14, 2010, May 4, 2010, May 26, 2010, June 7, 2010, June 16, 2010, June 29, 2010, October 28, 2010 and most recently today, November 22, 2010. 

As I shared previously, in accordance with the New Jersey Employee Relations Act, we requested comprehensive financial documents from the college.  Upon receipt of the requested items, members of your negotiations team met with a member of the research department, of AFT NJ State Federation (formerly NJSFT) and reviewed her findings.    I can tell you that additional questions were raised and we then requested additional information and answers to those questions were addressed in our October 28, 2010 meeting.

Unfortunately, we have reached a point where we feel no more progress can be made without the intervention of a mediator.  It is important to note that we are filing jointly for impasse with the management team.  We will be advised by the Public Employees Relation Commission (PERC) who will be assigned and when the first session will be.

As you know, we have accomplished a lot, most notably signing off on 23 articles which will be presented when the contract is considered for ratification.  At this point, the financial issues are what remain.

Lastly, I want to thank the members of the Negotiation team for their due diligence and each of you for your patience and support.  I look forward to moving ahead in the process.  

Sheri Ventura

President,

Academic –Administrative Personnel Federation – Local 3983

Academic –Administrative Personnel Federation – Local 3983

To date your negotiation team has met with the administrative team on:  February 24, 2010, March 4, 2010, March 17, 2010, March 31, 2010, April 14, 2010, May 4, 2010, May 26, 2010, June 7, 2010, June 16, 2010 & June 29, 2010.  We are scheduled to resume meetings on October 28, 2010.

As I shared previously, in accordance with the New Jersey Employee Relations Act, we requested comprehensive financial documents from the college.  Upon receipt of the requested items, members of your negotiations team met with a member of the research department, of AFT NJ State Federation (formerly NJSFT) and reviewed her findings.    While I cannot share our findings, I can tell you that additional questions were raised and we then requested additional information. 

We are now ready to “go back to the table”, scheduled for October 28, 2010.   Again, I want to thank each of you for your patience and support.  

Academic –Administrative Personnel Federation – Local 3983

To date your negotiation team has met with the administrative team on:  February 24, 2010, March 4, 2010, March 17, 2010, March 31, 2010, April 14, 2010, May 4, 2010, May 26, 2010, June 7, 2010, June 16, 2010 & June 29, 2010.

It is important to note at this time that significant progress has been made on numerous language items.  Again, although these items have been “signed off” on, I cannot yet share the specifics due to our confidentiality agreement.

There was no change in the financial offer made, and as I shared previously, we do not feel it is fair and equitable and once again rejected it.  In accordance with the New Jersey Employee Relations Act, we have requested comprehensive financial documents from the college.  Upon receipt of the requested items, a member of the research department, of AFT NJ State Federation (formerly NJSFT) will review them and share her findings with our team.  Time will be needed to gather and review the requested information; therefore, we do no not have any further meetings scheduled at this time.

We expect to re-convene once above is completed.

Again, I want to thank each of you for your patience and support.   Please know that your team is committed to settling a fair and equitable contract as soon as possible.

Academic –Administrative Personnel Federation – Local 3983

Your Negotiating Team continues to meet with the Administration of County College of Morris.  Our most recent meetings were held May 26th & June 7th.  Due to our confidentiality agreement, I cannot share specifics of the most recent offer, however, we do not feel the offer made was fair and equitable and did not accept it.  I can share that you should not expect financial increases like you have received in the past, especially since all public sector contracts remain under the microscope in the Governor’s office.  We are standing firm for a fair contract but also are striving to maintain as much of the contractual benefits we have experienced.

I am pleased to share that some language items have been agreed upon and are off the table. During these difficult times, negotiations can take longer than usual.  I continue to ask for your patience.  

Our next meeting with Administration is scheduled for June 16, 2010.

It is important to note, that regardless of the state of our contract, 1.5% of base pay for health care contribution becomes effective July 1^st as legislated for members participating in our plan.

A link to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/chapter2-faq.shtml