2011 September | American Federation of Teachers New Jersey, AFL-CIO

Campus Labor Unions Show Solidarity

September 30, 2011

Walks on campus increase visibility
-By Alan Akins, Staff Writer

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 1904 is the Union representing Montclair State University Faculty, Professional Staff and Librarians.

Last Wednesday, faculty, professional staff, librarians and other members of labor unions on campus participated in the first weekly Solidarity Walk sponsored by the American Federations of Teachers (AFT) Local 1904.

Solidarity Walks start at Café Diem each Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. and follow a mile-long route ending at the Alumni Green. They are meant to foster unity and build awareness on campus for labor unions and what they do for students.

Rich Wolfson, president of Local 1904, says they also “get people to engage in a bit of physical activity as well as in great discussions.”

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Education Dept. to Propose New Accountability Gauge for Teacher-Training Programs

September 30, 2011

Kelly Field, Washington

The Education Department will release a report on Friday calling for new regulations that would tie teacher-training grants to the test scores of the teachers’ students.

According to sources familiar with the report, the department wants to hold teachers’ colleges accountable for how well their graduates’ future students perform on standardized tests. Under its plan, states would be required to report test scores for students taught by graduates of their federally financed teacher-education programs.

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Save America’s Postal Service

September 27, 2011

saveamericaspostalservice.org

H.R. 1351 is a bill which would prevent the financial collapse of the U.S. Postal Service without costing taxpayers a single cent, preserve collective bargaining rights for workers, and keep 120,000 people working during a time when our economy needs jobs.

Please take a moment to send a message to your Congressperson either thanking them, if they have signed on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 1351 or to send a message urging them to support this bill.

SUNY Union Adds Measures for Adjunct Faculty

September 27, 2011

The Delegate Assembly of the United University Professions, the faculty union of the State University of New York, has adopted a package of measures designed to promote the interests of non-tenure-track faculty members. The UUP, affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors, pledged to adopt a system in which adjuncts who go on and off payroll can remain members of the union. Further, each campus chapter will have an officer focused on contingent issues, and at least one spot on the statewide union’s executive board will be held by someone off the tenure track.

-from http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/09/27/qt#271322

Legislature Passes Charter Bill, But Advocates and Critics Want More Changes

September 27, 2011

Parochial school conversion measure passes, although reception remains in doubt

By John Mooney

One change to New Jersey’s charter school law passed the legislature yesterday, while talk mounts that a broader rewrite of the state’s 15-year-old statute governing the semi-autonomous schools may be in the offing.

Related Links: Senate Bill 1858

The state Senate passed a bill that would allow certain parochial and private schools to convert to charters. Few think that the proposal will lead to many such conversions, but may send a lifeline to at least a few closing Catholic schools.

The measure, which passed 25-13, is the only one of a half-dozen proposed reforms to New Jersey’s charter school law that has now passed both the Senate and the Assembly. It goes next to Gov. Chris Christie for his expected signature.

But while other charter proposals have languished, leading Democratic legislators said there is momentum gaining for a more comprehensive overhaul of the 1996 charter law that could loosen some restrictions and add others.

State Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), the chairwoman of the Senate education committee, said in an interview that she still hopes to get some specific changes through by the end of the calendar year, including a bill to extend the number of organizations that can approve new charters.

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AFL-CIO celebrates 50 years of NJ labor unity

September 26, 2011

AFL- CIO President Charles Wowkanech, right, addresses a rally crowd in support of Wisconsin workers in Trenton in this Star-Ledger file photo. Photo: Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-Ledger.

By Charles Wowkanech and Laurel Brennan

Fifty years ago today, George Meany, president of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations, symbolically “tied the knot” linking the hands of AFL leader Vincent Murphy and CIO chief Joel Jacobson.

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Labor Walks start for union candidates

September 25, 2011

Bergen Central Labor Council Labor Walk Sept. 24

(left to right) Chris Whelan (HPAE), HPAE President Ann Twomey, Asw. Connie Wagner, Maywood Mayor (Assembly candidate) Tim Eustace, RN President of HPAE 5091 Jeff Peck, Sen. Robert Gordon, Jeff Trifari, Nat Bender.

AFTNJ helps to build power for working people. Sign up on the AFTNJ calendar for events to participate.

Seth Anderson-Oberman

Important New Jersey Legislative Elections are quickly approaching and AFTNJ is working with other unions in key districts. If you’ve never participated in one, Labor Walks are a fun way to get out and spend a Saturday morning.

We meet up with AFT members from various locals. After coffee, a bagel and a brief training we split into teams, get walk packets and head out “on the doors” to talk to union households about what is at stake in these critical elections. We share some information about the candidates and where they stand on the issues that matter most to working families and then we meet back at the union hall to turn in our packets.

It’s not about supporting Democrats or Republicans. It’s about the issues that affect our ability to earn a living and do our jobs to the best of our abilities. Some candidates make that easier and some make it harder. The overwhelming majority of people that we speak to are friendly and appreciate that we took the time to talk with them. Come at 9:00 a.m, talk to some folks, and by 12:00 noon you’re finished. It is three hours well spent and you still have your Saturday ahead of you.

Seth Anderson-Oberman, AFTNJ Political Director

Pietro Petino, who led Newark teachers union through 4 strikes, dies after battle with cancer

September 25, 2011

Pietro Petino

SPRINGFIELD — Pietro Petino, remembered as one of the loudest voices for teachers’ labor rights in Newark, died at his home Friday night after a nearly 15-month battle with cancer.

The 68-year-old Springfield resident spent more than 40 years working with the Newark Teachers Union, Local 481, serving most recently as the union’s executive director.

“He was a huge part of the union, from the day that I started teaching back in 1970. We were very close friends, colleagues and co-workers together for many years. He’s going to be sorely missed,” said union president Joseph Del Grosso tonight. “It’s going to very difficult to replace him or find someone with his dynamic personality.”

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$100M grant from Mark Zuckerberg begins to have effect on Newark schools

September 25, 2011

Newark Teachers Union President Joe Del Grosso said he is troubled by the ongoing secrecy surrounding the Facebook donation.

“We don’t know what the foundation is doing or how they intend to spend the other money,” Del Grosso said. “With that money comes a responsibility to the public to be clear about its use.”

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In Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson merger, University Hospital in Newark must be protected

September 25, 2011

Star-Ledger Editorial Board

Gov. Chris Christie commissioned a task force, which has recommended the merging of Rutgers University and parts of UMDNJ.

Rutgers is our flagship state university with an enormous commitment to science and health, but it doesn’t have a medical school. Robert Wood Johnson is a medical school with a great reputation.

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