Montclair State University's administration says they won't negotiate the Professional Staff and Librarians' summer work schedule because of the state's proposal (at the statewide negotiations) to charge up to 10 days - 45 percent! - of our vacation time against university closings. But that's not what's preventing them from moving forward with a four-day summer workweek.

During recent Local negotiations, the administration made unfounded assertions about productivity during four-day workweeks, suggesting that long days lead to lower efficiency and general difficulty in maintaining performance. As we pointed out, however, the University doesn't seem to have a problem enforcing the non-limited (NL) clause when Professional Staff are directed to stay at work and keep at a project until it's finished.

The University has the right to determine operational needs and hours of operation. They can decide to remain open five days a week in the summer, or four long days without touching our vacation time. But if four-day-week productivity is an issue, it's a management issue, not one that needs to be "cured" by negotiations. Let management do their jobs-the way we do ours, winter and summer.

Professional Staff need to be concerned about this proposal, and others-such as the elimination of three-, four-, and five-year contracts - which the state has proposed be replaced by two-year contracts.

We implore you to attend the General Union Meeting on Wednesday, April 5th at 2:30pm in Student Center Room 419. We'll discuss available options, and what you can do to send a message loud and clear about these and other proposals on the statewide negotiating table.

Tentative Agreement Reached   

AFT Local 1904 is pleased to announce that we have reached agreement with the University on the implementation of a "Range Adjustment Program for Full-Time Librarians." For the complete text of the agreement, click here or go to the Contracts tab on the AFT Local 1904's website.

The text of the agreement details: the criteria to be met, the eligibility requirements, the content of an application, and the review process. Most importantly, full-time Librarians who are eligible must apply by May 1, 2012.

Questions? Contact Ken Brook at Ken.Brook@aftlcoal1904.org. 

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