2010 June | American Federation of Teachers New Jersey, AFL-CIO

Monthly Archives: June 2010

State Commission Orders Rutgers Management to Defend Contract Breach

June 24, 2010

Rutgers unions advance collaborative legal strategy in response to pay freeze

NEW BRUNSWICK… The state Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) today approved a jointly submitted order to show cause for unions representing 10,000 Rutgers workers, forcing university management to defend its unilateral pay freeze. The unions are arguing for expedited arbitration, which would offer a speedy resolution for the breach of contract claim. The challenge arises from university management’s announcement that it would refuse to pay contracted raises. These raises were originally due in 2009, but the unions agreed to defer until this year in the same pattern as state worker deals.

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University Workers Call on Rutgers Board of Governors for Respect

June 22, 2010

Rutgers management only group in state to attempt break of 2009 deferral agreements

NEW BRUNSWICK…Thousands of Rutgers employees deferred raises last year by signing agreements to give Rutgers additional economic stability for two years, according to testimony Lucye Millerand delivered to Rutgers’ Board of Governors today. “Rutgers management’s announced intention to renege on a deal patterned on state worker agreements, which are being honored everywhere else throughout the state, shows a serious lack of respect for university workers,” she said.

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State Education Union Leaders Call on Rutgers to Respect Contracts

June 14, 2010

High Profile Public Breeches Undermine Workplace Relations Everywhere

EDISON…As one of the largest employers in the state, Rutgers University is setting a terrible precedent by withholding negotiated raises next month, according to AFT New Jersey State Federation president William Lipkin. “It hurts morale and productivity, is morally repulsive and bad for business throughout the state,” said Lipkin of Rutgers management’s unilateral pay freeze. “The people hurt include janitors, secretaries and administrative workers who have not had a raise in two years and whose families may already be suffering from layoffs. Rutgers management is withholding raises that would otherwise be circulated right back into the state’s economy.”

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