Montclair State University's Board of Trustees met for the first time during the new Academic Year on September 8, 2011. In his address to the Trustees, Rich Wolfson encouraged the Trusteesto take an official published position on free speech, freedom of assemblage, and against bullying and workplace violence. A position that affirms Montclair State University as a place where ideas are important, where discourse is essential to the education we provide, and where the community is a safe environment, with everyone looking out for each other. The entire statement can also be viewed on the home page of our website.   

On August 3, 2011, the Council of New Jersey State College Locals, AFT, AFL-CIO (Council) met with the State of New Jersey (State) to continue negotiations on reaching agreement on a new statewide contract. This meeting was devoted to the Council seeking further clarification of the proposals presented to us by the State. At this time, both sides have concluded their questioning about the proposals before them. The next two negotiation sessions are scheduled in September will be devoted to a more substantive discussion of the items on which both sides might be able to reach agreement.

In keeping with Local 1904's commitment to keeping our members informed of the status of state-wide negotiations, we will provide you with an update of the results of negotiation sessions to be held later this month. It is the Local and Council's position that all the provisions of the State-wide Master Agreement other than the economic issues remain in effect until a successor contract is ratified.

Thank you for your support.

Ken Brook

Negotiations Coordinator 

Pending ratification by the membership, a Donated Leave Program is now available. The program exists so that employees may voluntarily donate portions of their sick or vacation time to employees who have exhausted their own time due to a catastrophic health condition or because they provide care for a member of their immediate family who is suffering from a serious health condition or injury.

Employees interested in participating in the program should fill out the form on the Human Resources website and submit it along with medical verification of the nature and anticipated duration of the health condition must be submitted to the Office of Payroll & Benefits.

An employee may donate up to ten days to any one recipient.

Eligible employees:

        a.  Professional Staff and Librarians

        b.  Classified employees

Faculty are not eligible.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kathleen Hughes at hughesk@aftlocal1904.org. 

Note: Bill led the negotiating team when this agreement was developed. The Local thanks Bill for his work on the Donated Leave Program.

Professional Staff gathered on August 18th to learn about the proposals exchanged between the Council of New Jersey State Colleges & Locals and the State of New Jersey. Some items  proposed by the State that will directly impact professional staff if not successfully negotiated are:

• maximum contract length of two years for multi-year contracts
• right of management to not reappoint without providing just cause 
• elimination of mandatory meetings with supervisors
• requiring work missed due to being absent for any reason (e.g. vacation, sick, professional conference) to be completed in a timely manner, irrespective of the scheduled workweek
• elimination of tuition waiver program 
• elimination of tuition reimbursement program

AFT Local 1904 reached out to students by participating in Red Hawk Day. The Local's Officers and our student intern, Alan Akins, staffed a table and we were able to share with students why their success matters to us and how we support them. Over 200 students were greeted in a two hour period.