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Krystal Woolston Honored at AFT Convention
Named AFT Everyday Hero
 | Krystal Woolston (center) with her crew of
Hurricane Sandy volunteers |
Krystal Woolston (AFT Local 1904 member and Assistant Director of Service Learning and Community Engagement at Montclair State University) was honored this past week at the 2014 AFT National Convention in Los Angeles, CA, as the AFT Everyday Hero. You can read about Krystal's heroism by clicking here, or watch her acceptance speech here. Among her remarks, Krystal stated: "Even when you think you have nothing give to help another person, you can still give your time." The AFT Local 1904 extends our heartfelt congratulations to Krystal.
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Image Credit: nbcnews.com
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SCOTUS Ruling in Harris v. Quinn: Effects at the Local Level
Making Sense of the Verdict
If you have been following the recent events surrounding the case of Harris v. Quinn and its implications on public employee unions, you may still be digesting the recent verdict. In a 5-4 split, the court took a narrow reading of precedent to say that the home healthcare workers were not officially state public employees and so they could not be compelled to pay dues to a union. While this is a hit against sharing burdens to share gains by public workers, the court's narrow definition preserved compulsory dues in other sectors.
As AFT president Randi Weingarten vowed continued efforts to gather and build support among members in their respective units, we can see why support for unions is so vital. AFT members across the country join and support their local units because there is strength in our unity. We may have different perspectives, backgrounds, and goals, but if one of our members needs help, we are ready to answer the call. The money we provide to support the work of the union builds strength in collective bargaining, raises a voice to our needs, and can support legislation and candidates who understand the importance of our work.
There may be times it can be tempting to get something without contributing. There may also be times you feel strongly about how your contributions are utilized. If you find yourself thinking about either scenario, remember that friends, family, colleagues, and strangers give of their means so that you can succeed. Honor their support by helping to support those in need. If you are passionate about how your funds are spent, then use that passion and get involved with your local
unit to ensure effective action in our community. This court ruling may have affected one sector, but our continual support and involvement will sustain the union that sustains us.
Get involved and stay involved by visiting our local site here. |
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Changing Students' Lives: Carmen Reyes-Cuevas
AFT Local 1904 member is doing #WorkThatMatters
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Carmen Reyes-Cuevas
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Carmen joined Montclair State University in 1992 and has been helping students achieve educational goals ever since through her work with the Educational Opportunity Fund.
As Assistant Director of the EOF, Carmen's contributions help reach potential students through many methods in conjunction with University Admissions. Her work ensures that a student's financial standing will not block the path to a successful educational career as a Redhawk. This is a year-round commitment as Carmen also manages the six-week EOF Summer Academy. You can read more about Carmen's contributions here.
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Local 1904 Awarded for Communication Talents
Best Periodical Publication - Electronic & Best Website
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Jennifer Higgins
(
Professional Staff
Negotiations Coordinator) holds our awards at the convention in California
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At the national AFT convention in California last weekend, Local 1904 took home two awards honoring our commitment to effective communication.
If you want to see our success, visit our local site here. We'll continue working to ensure clear, engaging, and informative content within our unit and the wider community.
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Labor Solidarity In Montclair
AFT Local 1904 Joins BAC/ADC at Demonstration
AFT Local 1904 officers Rich Wolfson, Ken Brook, and Bill Sullivan (pictured left) supported the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers of New Jersey (BAC/ADC) at their demonstration against developers, LCOR/Pinnacle, at the "Valley & Bloom" construction site in Montclair on Tuesday July 8th, 2014. The demonstration was organized by Thomas F. McIntyre (pictured far left) from the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. Our trade union brothers and sisters called on LCOR to abide by its contractual agreement and use union pension funds it received from California teachers unions to create union jobs.
Please lend your support to California teachers and ensure that the jobs we create here in New Jersey support a middle class standard of living and carry the stamp of skilled union labor. To read more about this dispute and how you can lend your support through a simple phone call click here.
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Professional Staff: Got New Colleagues?
Arrange for Professional Staff Orientation
If your office or a colleague's office has recent hires that are in the AFT, or did you or your colleagues were not able to attend the Professional Staff Orientation in January, contact Jennifer Higgins @ Jennifer.higgins@aftlocal1904.org or Susan Hagen @ susan.hagen@aftlocal1904.org to arrange for either lunchtime orientation for you, your colleagues or your entire departments.
Over lunch you were learn more about what it means to work on a unionized campus as a union employee and the collective strength that comes from being in a union. You will learn about what your contractual rights are and a few things that aren't reviewed in the orientation provided by the university. Jennifer and Susan hope to hear from you soon.
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Student Rally for EOF Increase in NJ
Students Gather In
Trenton for Legislation
 | | Image: Times of Trenton |
As the level of required education has risen in relation to career success potential, many students were down in Trenton recently to advocate for an increase in supportive funds for the Educational Opportunity Fund among other higher education reforms.
With the aid of state leadership like Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), the students are presenting a set of bills titled New Jersey Higher Education Legislative Package (HELP). A primary focus of the legislation is to raise the appropriation for the EOF to return it to the 2008 budget level.
To stay informed on the progress of NJ H.E.L.P., visit our website and read the latest updates from Trenton.
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 | | Richard Wolfson, President |
President's Corner
I write this while sitting in the final business session of the AFT biannual convention. It's been a busy week. 3000 delegates from all across the country and from international locals came to
Los Angeles to elect officers and debate the direction the Union should take over the next two years.
We passed resolutions on Common Core, Assault Weapons, Immigration Reform, and Accountability in Public Education (including an "improvement plan" for Education Secretary
Arnie Duncan). We also passed resolutions in support of Ukrainian teachers and Respect for the Professionalism of Ukrainian educators. We passed resolutions against edTPA and the proliferation of trade agreements that are sending American jobs overseas. We also supported a boycott of Staples as a result of the displacement of union Postal Workers. We heard from
organizers and politicians, and students, teachers, and health professionals who are also members of the AFT. It was inspiring.
Local 1904 received awards in recognition of our website and newsletters because of the hard work of Jennifer Higgins. And our own Krystal Woolston received an AFT Everyday Hero Award. Take a minute to watch the video as she accepts before an audience of thousands. Someone said I looked like a "proud father" as I watched the presentation. We were all proud of her and I know you will be, too, you as watch and listen to her acceptance.
All in all, it was a productive week, and Jennifer, Krystal, and I were happy to represent you. But I will also be happy to get back to New Jersey and work on the myriad of local issues before us. The next Board of Trustees meeting is July 24th at 10:00 A.M. in the University Hall Conference Center. We expect this will be the meeting where President Cole gets her subsequent contract and what will undoubtedly include a percentage raise that far exceeds, perhaps by over 500%, what you received. And it will be the meeting where the Trustees will make Specialist appointments, some of which will have $5.00 and $15.00 raises over last year's contracts, with no further raises, COLA, steps or otherwise, for three years. This is unconscionable, and if it is not rectified before the meeting, I will point out to the Trustees that this is indicative of how the administration views the contribution, and value, of our teaching staff.
In solidarity,
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Mark Your Calendars
AFT Local 1904 Events
Professional Staff Reappointment Workshop
Aug 12th
12:00-1:30pm
Student Center 419
General Union Meeting Sept 10th 2:30-4:00 p.m. Student Center 419 Click here to view more events
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Professional Staff Reappointment Workshop
Reserve Your Seat Today
Whether you are completing your annual or multi-year reappointment paperwork, join Susan Hagen, Professional Staff Coordinator, and Jennifer Higgins, Professional Staff Negotiations Coordinator, and some of your colleagues over lunch on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 12 noon. We will be discussing some helpful hints on how to complete your paperwork, deadlines, and your contractual rights. Reserve your seat by emailing msuaftlocal1904@gmail.com.
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Current Events of Interest
For daily updates on items of interest to union members and activists, sign up for the COPE News Service. Subscribe by sending an email to amkorotkin@aol.com with the subject "COPE Subscribe"
- Tell Gov. Christie to raise EOF spending by clicking this petition
- Pay gaps in academia highlighted by recent job submission
read article - Read how higher ed is taking a stand in the net neutrality debate read here
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AFTNJ
AFT Local 1904 is affiliated with American Federation of Teachers New Jersey (AFTNJ), which is the state federation of AF T locals in New Jersey. AFTNJ represents 30,000 Pre-Kindergarten to grade 12 and higher education workers throughout the state.
Want to know more about AFTNJ? Sign up for their news feed by clicking here. |
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