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AFTNJ Endorses Buono for Governor
Senator Buono visits campus
 On April 18, 2013, NJ State Senator Barbara Buono visited her alma mater, Montclair State University, to accept the endorsement of AFTNJ in her bid for Governor of New Jersey.
Among those to welcome her back to campus were Bill Batkay, retired Professor of Political Science, who Sen. Buono remembered as one of her professors.
Senator Buono said, in response to Gov. Chris Christie's remarks that unions, not teachers, are the problem with public education, "Unions aren't the problem. Your misplaced priorities are the problem." Senator Buono pointed out that Gov. Christie cut $180 million out of  the 2011 state budget for education, and even though he made some restorations, the budget for higher education is still five percent below where it was when Gov. Christie took office. Senator Buono has an outstanding labor record. She told the crowd, "I stand up for the teachers and the students. Education is the great equalizer. I am proud to stand with the AFT."
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Revised Constitution and Bylaws
Adopted at April 10th General Union Meeting
At the April 10, 2013 General Union Meeting, a second reading of the revised and updated Constitution and Bylaws for AFT Local 1904 was conducted. The full-dues paying members voted to adopted the new Constitution and Bylaws. The documents can be found on AFT Local 1904's website by clicking on the Contract Tab.
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BKMUW Scholarship Recipients
For the 2013-2014 Academic Year
The Becker-Keenen-Moore-Uhia-Waller Scholarship Recipients were introduced at the May 1, 2013 General
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2013 BKMUW Scholarship Recipients
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Union Meeting. Ten (10) $500 scholarships were award this year to students who are studying anthropology, communications, music, business administration, biology, biochemistry, dance and economics. The 2013 recipients are: Gray Burford, Jameka Carter, Karin Cuellar, Derek Darby, Kristen Maday, Elizabeth Mejia, Ralph Olacio, Delfin Santiago, Hamza Serhan, and Kelly Vaghenas.
Local AFT 1904 extends its thanks to the BKMUW Scholarship Committee members for their hard work and thoughtful consideration of the applicants. The committee members are: Aditya Adarkar, Mei Ling Chow, Carmen E. Reyes-Cuevas, Louise Davies, Jonida Dervishi, Fred Gardin, John J. Gaynor, Susan Hagen, Karen Ramsden, and Jeffrey Schonfeld. The committee is chaired by Jennifer Higgins.
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Summer Work Schedule
Negotiations Update
The AFT Local 1904 Negotiation Team met with the MSU Administrative Representatives on April 19th and 30th. Among other issues, the group negotiated the terms of the Modified Summer Schedule for 2013-2015. The Local is currently waiting for the administration to present its final proposal.
Your Local 1904 Representatives are committed to representing and communicating your interests and to securing you a fair deal, and does not intend to agree to a deal inconsistent with that commitment.
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AFT Local 1904 Helps Out @
Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter
Members of AFT Local 1904 helped out at the Mount Pleasant
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Animal Shelter on Saturday April 13th and got to meet some of the cute guests waiting for their forever homes. Many thanks to Susan Hagen, Louise Davies, Liz Blades, Jennifer Higgins and Naomi Liebler for assisting the shelter with preparing for its annual tricky tray fundraiser and washing litter pans.
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Current Events
Links to Recent Articles of Interest
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Member News and Notes
Join with AFT Local 1904 in congratulating our colleagues for their recent honors, awards and successes.
Professional Staff Performance Based Promotion:
- Shannon Bellum - Performance Based Promotion
MSU Outstanding Academic Advising Awards 2012-2013:
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Outstanding Academic Advisor, Primary Role: Ruth Zerwitz-Berenson, Counselor, Teacher Education Advocacy Center
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Outstanding Faculty Advisor: Elizabeth Emery, Professor, Modern Languages and Literature
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Outstanding Advisor to Graduate Students: Muninder Kaur Ahluwalia, Associate Professor, Counseling and Education Leadership
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Outstanding New Advisor: Nicole Fackina, Director, Paralegal Studies Program
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Help "Stamp Out Hunger"
On May 11, 2013
Support the National Association of Letter Carrier's "Stamp Out Hunger" campaign on Saturday, May 11th by leaving a bag of nonperishable food items by your mailbox and your letter carrier will do the rest. This is the 21st Anniversary of the drive, and is the largest one-day food collection event in the country.
Your donation will go to help the needy in your community and will be delivered directly to local food banks, pantries, and shelters. For more information please visit www.nalc.org.
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 | Richard Wolfson, President
AFT Local 1904 |
President's Corner
As another academic year is over and summer approaches, I was reminded by my students that it is also Convocation and Commencement season. One asked, "How can I see you before or after Convocation so you can get a chance to meet my parents?" I've always gone to commencement, but wasn't planning to attend Convocation. But I suddenly realized it was important that I be there for this student, and also for the other students in this particular class of graduates. I told her that I would try to meet up beforehand, but if that didn't work, we'd meet afterward. I announced that plan to my class, and also told them that for those who were also going to Commencement, I would seek them out in the dark recesses of the arena, setting a predetermined spot to meet afterwards for pictures and greetings.
I look back at the more than 30 years I've been attending Commencement and realize that it may be run-of-the-mill to us, but for our students, its the culmination of years of hard work and an affirmation of their accomplishments. And it's the primary reason we, as teachers, librarians and professional staff, do what we do.
Attending the Convocations and Commencement is easy. RSVP to your Deans, clean and iron your robes (or contact the bookstore so they can be sure to have a set for you). Librarians and Professional Staff should let their supervisors know that they plan to be at Commencement. Standing and smiling in the aisles as the students walk down-and high-fiving those you know-is fun, and it makes a big difference to our students. If you are a Marshal, sitting with the students is also fun. If not, there are plenty of seats on stage.
Let's make it a crowd this year. I hope to see you there.
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Upcoming Events
Prof. Staff Orientation:
Time: 2:15 pm
Where: UN 1020
When: Fri., May 17, 2013
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Credit & Money Management Seminar
The Essex-West Hudson Labor Council, AFL-CIO, is sponsoring a free money credit and management seminar for union members on Thursday, May 16, 2013 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the UFCW Local 1262 office located at 1389 Broad Street, Clifton, NJ. The Consumer Credit Counseling Service of New Jersey is presenting the workshop. It is a non-profit credit counseling agency that is licensed by the NJ Department of Banking.
Pre-registration is required by Monday, May 13, 2013. To register, contact Kelly Hanrahan at 973-244-8507 or via email khanrahan@iuoe-68.org. |
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