Revised Constitution and Bylaws

At the March 6, 2013 General Union Meeting, the Constitution Committee introduced for a first reading a completely revised and updated Constitution and Bylaws for AFT Local 1904. Our current Constitution requires that a first reading take place (which was done at the March 6, 2013 meeting), the documents distributed to full members and a vote be taken on the documents at the next General Union Meeting. It will take 2/3 of the full-dues paying members present at the April 10, 2013 General Union Meeting to pass the revisions of the Constitution and Bylaws.

The revised documents, along with the current Constitution and Bylaws, are posted on our website's Contracts Tab for you to print and bring to the April meeting. If you have any edits please send them directly to President Wolfson at Rich.Wolfson@aftlocal1904.org. If you have any amendments to the documents, bring those to the April meeting for consideration.

This process is long overdue. The Constitution Committee and your elected officers believe that the proposed new Constitution and Bylaws are a vast improvement over the current documents.

Essential Services Employees Update

AFT Local 1904 will keep the membership apprised as this matter develops. An update will be presented at the April 10, 2013 General Union Meeting. We hope you can join us.

We're Now On Twitter!

AFT Local 1904 is now on Twitter. Follow us @AFTLocal1904 for information updates, meeting announcements and reminders, and much more. 

 

Who is Your Supervisor?

Many professional staff members are not aware that the person who oversees their responsibilities on a regular basis might not be the same person consulted when it comes to personnel actions. As such, the Local thought a brief clarification about the working relationship between two unit members (such as a department chairs and professional staff) would be helpful to ensure collegial and respectful relationships between AFT unit members.

Pursuant to Appendix I, Section D of the statewide contract and Section 10.7 of the LSPA, for the purposes of conducting appropriate personnel actions, an immediate supervisor "shall be construed as that supervisory management-level person not included in the State College/University negotiating unit and who is first reached in the normal chain of command leading from the candidate."

While it is permissible that a chair direct and coordinate the work of professional staff members in academic departments, or that higher titled professional staff direct/coordinate the work of lower titled professional staff, there should be no crossover into the strict meaning of supervisory roles (hire, fire, discipline, reappointment recommendations, and other personnel actions).These personnel actions must be performed by the first non-unit level manager. However, the person with whom a professional staff member works regularly under can and should help support the professional staff member in personnel actions. This can be done by providing peer reviews, which can/should take the form of a consultation with the affected professional staff member. Positive letters of support to the immediate supervisor, without making formal recommendations about reappointment or promotion, are encouraged in such personnel actions.

Therefore, if you are a professional staff member applying for reappointment or promotion, be certain to seek support from fellow colleagues, and be certain to garner the appropriate signatures on all personnel action forms. If you need assistance determining who your immediate supervisor is, contact Human Resources to learn who is officially listed for you. If you feel the information provided is inaccurate, please contact Kathleen Hughes: hughesk@aftlocal1904.org.

On Saturday, April 13th
AFT Local 1904 is planning a trip to the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter to help care for the animals on Saturday, April 13, 2013 from 8:00AM to 12:00PM. 

The shelter is located at 194 Route 10 West, East Hanover, NJ 07936. 

Space is limited! Reserve your spot by emailing the Local's office at union@mail.montclair.edu and use the subject line "Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter".

Can't volunteer but still want to help? The shelter does need donations to help feed and provide medical care for the animals. Click here to get to AFT Local 1904's giving page to make an online donations. Donations are being accepted from now until April 30th. 

AFT Higher Education Conference

AFT Local 1904's Internal Vice President, Jen Higgins, presented at the 2013 AFT Higher Education Conference. She was part of a panel that examined the topic "Professional Staff Career Trajectories in a Constantly Connected World." 

The Essex-West Hudson Labor Council's scholarship award for high school seniors is now accepting applications. Eligible applicants must be accepted at an accredited college or post-high school education program. Children of full dues paying members AFT Local 1904 who meet the above stated criteria are eligible to apply. 

Current Events

• NJ Spotlight examines the "National Report on Higher Education Documents State's Shrinking Support for Public Colleges".
• The New York Times reports that better colleges and universities are having trouble enrolling the talented poor.
• Corporate profits continue to grow without increasing the number of jobs or worker incomes. Read more about it in The New York Times. 
• New Jersey pension troubles worsen, even with the legislation requiring greater contributions by employees, reports The Associated Press.
• Democratic Candidate for Governor, Barbara Buono, says Gov. Christie has "demonized" and "scapegoated" public employees. 
• Road Salt vs. Wood Frog - Read more about what our own Lisa Hazard has to say about the Wood Frog's chance of survival in The Record.  
• In case you missed Sen. Barbara Buono's recent appearance on NJTV, here's the link to the video.
• The Chronicle of Higher Education has 10 tips on how to manage your online time.    

In solidarity,

Rich