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Suspension of Increments (Steps)
What it means to you
As we head into the holiday shopping season the officers of Local 1904 thought it might be useful for you to know how much the withholding of the step increase has cost you this year, and how much it will eventually cost (cumulatively) if it is not retroactively restored.
The impact is felt at both ends of our salary guide. For those on Range 18 who were due a step increase, your salary should have increased by about $2,200 this year. At the other end of the spectrum, those at Range 30 should have seen an almost $4,000 dollar increase. The assumption made in calculating these figures was that there would be annual 1.5% COLA increase in the size of the increment. This is a fairly conservative estimate and well within the bounds of what we have earned historically if looked at over the long term. But even without the COLA, the increment loss is significant.
What a lot of people may not realize is that this loss is cumulative, and every year from now on you will lose a similar amount. Two years after this year's no increment (Range 18) and you are $4,400 behind. After ten years it is $24,000. Let's call that the price of a new car. For those on higher ranges, you would have been able to purchase a luxury sedan. The losses are even greater if you get promoted or receive a growth promotion or range change before reaching Step 12.
These calculations also do not include the 13% of that lost money which would have gone to your retirement fund, where it would have then been invested pre-tax and accumulating value.
Governor Christie and Dr. Cole have no problem withholding these increases, which reward loyalty and longevity, from you even though they have no problem in paying Dr. Cole her $125,000 longevity bonus this year which she recently told a group of students she worked hard for and earned. We believe you earned your increment as well.
Additionally, Dr. Cole has no problem withholding your increases while the University continues to hire numerous administrators. Since January 1, 2010, some managerial positions have been filled with no or perfunctory searches, with annual salaries of $220,000, $175,000, $160,000, $135,000, $120,000 and $100,000. These salaries are part of the public record and can be found in the library at the Reference Desk.
Please come to the membership meeting on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. in the Student Center, Room 419 and help us to develop strategies that will fostering the conclusion of state-wide negotiations. It is only through a strong showing of solidarity will the State and the Presidents get serious with negotiations.
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BKMUW Scholarship Applications Available
Encourage your undergraduate students to apply
Scholarships are available through the Catherine A. Becker, James P.Keenen III, Joseph T. Moore, Anita E. Uhia, and Connie Waller (BKMUW) Scholarship Endowment Fund. Members should encourage their students to apply.
 | | 2011 BKMUW Scholarship Recipients |
The BKMUW Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in 1997. AFT Local 1904's scholarship provides financial support to full-time undergraduate students at Montclair State University who demonstrate a significant economic need. For additional information, please visit the Local's website and click on Scholarships tab.
The deadline to apply for the $500 scholarships is Friday, March 2, 2011 at 3 p.m. Students who wish to be considered for this award are required to complete an application, write an essay, and get two letters of recommendation from full-dues paying members of the Local.
Questions? Contact Linda Turano, Office Manager for AFT Local 1904 at 973-655-4453.
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Members Step Up and Step Out
Solidarity Walks Continue
 At the beginning of our November 30th Solidarity Walk, Jennifer Higgins, Internal Vice President of AFT Local 1904 told members that the work they do matters, that they have value and not to lessen that value.
Members should not lessen their value by standing by silently as the administration suspends and seeks to eliminate professional development programs such as Sabbatical Leaves, Tuition Reimbursement and the Career Development program. These programs not only benefit an employee's professional growth, but ultimately benefits the University by having faculty, professional staff and librarians that can better prepare the students we serve.
Members should not lessen their value by allowing the administration to take advantage of their professionalism by volunteering for extra assignments that are not already a part of your duties. There will be times when one needs to stay late or put in some additional hours to carry out our duties. However, this should not be a daily occurrence, and if it is, it simply means more faculty, staff and librarians are needed. Existing employees should not be run into the ground under the guise of doing more with less. We do not serve our students by operating this way nor do we help ourselves.
And to unit members who might say, times are tough, so why shouldn't we give up more? If we don't stand up and stand together and fight for our rights, for a fair deal, neither our students nor will our children get one when they enter the workforce. The time is now for working people, whether they work in the public or private sector, to stand together and demand a fair deal.
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 | Richard Wolfson, President
AFT Local 1904 |
President's Corner
As I walk across campus, I am frequently greeted with, "How are negotiations going?" followed by a thank-you for what the Local is doing. I appreciate the thanks, but the fact is that negotiations are going nowhere. We have not agreed on a single substantive issue, and have had very few productive discussions on any issue.
It's time for everyone to understand what they can do individually, and what we can do collectively, to get the State and the Presidents to bargain in good faith and agree on a mutually beneficial contract. That means not only a fair wage package but also: the continuation of long-standing job protections for Professional Staff; the strengthening of opportunities for Career Development and scholarship through the granting of sabbaticals; and the continuation of the salary guide with clear pathways for the same longevity increases that Dr. Cole's contract provides for her.
What we can do is show strength. One way to do this is to come to the General Union Meeting this Wednesday. On the agenda is a discussion on what we can do to move negotiations forward. It's an important discussion, and your input will be valued. Another way to show strength is to participate in our Solidarity Walks on Wednesdays. These walk go right past College Hall and Dr. Cole's office. The larger our group, the more the administration will understand our ability to organize and mobilize.
You should be angry at the way the State is treating these negotiations. They have proposed to take your cash and your job protections, as well as growth and scholarship opportunities through the elimination of Career Development, Tuition Reimbursement and Sabbaticals. I believe that the demand of the State to eliminate Career Development is in direct retaliation for our grievance (which we won) against their underfunding of the program for years. Don't believe Susan Cole when she says we will do better negotiating with her locally. In every instance where she could have proven that, she has failed. On sabbaticals. On Career Development. On promotions. On holiday closings. On the sharing of information. Even on parking.
One more thing: The Board of Trustees meets this Thursday evening at 4:30 in the University Hall Conference Center. Their meetings are quick, usually less than a half hour. Come and watch what they do. I say "watch" because you're not allowed to speak. More and more students have been coming to those meetings; join them, and me, in letting the trustees know we're watching. At this meeting, the trustees will be conferring tenure on those faculty who have earned it. Come to congratulate your colleagues and let the trustees know we are a community that cares about our colleagues, our opportunities, and our future and the future of Montclair State University.
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Upcoming Events
General Union Meetings:
Time: 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Where: SC 419
When: Wednesday,
December 14, 2011
MSU Board of Trustees:
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Where: UH 7th Floor
When: Thursday,
December 15, 2011
Solidarity Walks:
Every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. Meet in front of Cafe Diem and join us in unity as we take a lunchtime stroll around campus.
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