AFT President Randi Weingarten took some time on January 27th to talk with members of AFT New Jersey and the Health Professionals and Allied Employees about the importance of getting actively involved in political education and advocacy.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is pushing an agenda filled with attacks on K-12 education through undermining tenure and promoting vouchers, as well as a hastily conceived plan to merge higher education institutions.

The economy has created an opportunity for the “scapegoaters and the demonizers,” said Weingarten. “Instead of taking the responsibility of governing in tough times seriously, they are pointing fingers” and attempting “to turn the very people who are trying to make a difference in the lives of others into villains.” It’s unfair, and our members see it, said Weingarten. “They want to know what we are going to do about this. How are we going to make it better?”

AFT affiliates in New Jersey are working on legislation to protect members. “We have to work together, not just with one another, but with state lawmakers to get the best possible legislation,” Weingarten urged. “We have to come together with a quality agenda to engage members.

MORE

LEGISLATION MATTERS - One Union - One Voice for Working Families

Join HPAE and AFTNJ along with AFT National President Randi Weingarten.

Rutgers Labor Education Center, 50 Labor Center Way, New Brunswick, NJ.

5:00pm - Light Refreshments

6:00pm - Program "Moving Forward Together" with President Weingarten

Register at www.aftnj.org or (732) 661-9393

*Please click on the Title above to download the Flyer. MORE

Please click on the Title above to download the Calendar. MORE

Please click on the Title above to download the Newsletter. MORE

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

MORE

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

MORE