American Federation of Teachers New Jersey, AFL-CIO

Month: March 2018

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AFTNJ

RVCC Faculty Resolve To Support Transit Alternatives

On 2/20/18, the Faculty Federation of Raritan Valley Community College passed a resolution supporting policies that promote public transit. The connection between this issue and labor is far stronger than might appear at first blush, according to RVCC economics professor Dan Aronson.

Sustainability Resolution

Aronson said, “Convenient public transit reduces automobile costs. Convenient transit also frees up parking lots for residential development – which would reduce housing costs for future buyers via the increase in supply.…

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2018 Conference and ConventionAFTNJ NewsHigher Ed NewsLabor NewsNewsPre-K to 12 News
AFTNJ

Mayor Baraka, Asm. Benson, Commish Asaro-Angelo Recognized

A North Jersey Mayor, a Central Jersey Assemblyman and the new Commissioner of Labor are winners of AFTNJ awards and recognition at the Legislative Conference awards luncheon April 14 in Atlantic City.

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Baraka (left) accepts endorsement from DelGrosso (to his right) in 2014.

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka is the Joe DelGrosso Friend of Education for bringing together the education community to successfully advocate for local control.…

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AFTNJ

Education, Healthcare Unions Endorse Baraka for Newark Mayor

Issue Call for Collaboration To Strengthen Public Education and Healthcare

NEWARK…As a young man, Ras J. Baraka decided to become a teacher and work with Newark’s youth to help them find their way to a better future, according to John Abeigon, Newark Teachers Union President. “As an activist, Ras naturally became involved with the union and really extended his love for students from the classroom to the surrounding communities, becoming involved in anti-violence work which continues to this day,” said Abeigon.…

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AFTNJ

2018-2020 Sample Ballot; ‘Thanks’ to Outgoing Treasurer Amabile

2018-2020 sample ballotVoting for 29 AFTNJ positions will take place at the AFTNJ Convention April 14, 2018 by registered delegates in accordance with the AFTNJ constitution.

The 2018-2020 sample ballot has been distributed to delegates  in advance of the April 14 convention.

One notable change is the absence of Treasurer Joe Amabile, a Newark teacher. Amabile decided not to run for re-election and AFTNJ President Donna M.…

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Direct Primary Care Program for SHBP/SEHBP Members

Updated: April 16, 2019

Participants in the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) or School Employees Health Benefit Plan (SEHBP) who want better access to doctors while eliminating copays can participate in the Direct Primary Care program.

The program features primary care doctors who see significantly fewer patients than the norm so they can typically offer same day or next day appointments, better access directly to the doctor, and appointments that are as long as they need to be.…

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AFTNJ

State Budget: Murphy Proposes Increases for Education, Minimum Wage and Transit

Governor Phil Murphy laid out a progressive economic platform in his first state economic address Tuesday, April 13. Gov. Murphy called for a millionaires’ tax and legalization of recreational marijuana sales to help fund universal pre-kindergarten, full-funding of primary and secondary education, free community college along with increases to the Equal Opportunity Fund (EOF) program and expanding Tuition Assistant Grant (TAG) funding for students at four-year institutions.…

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At Rutgers, calls to improve gender and race equity among faculty

“We’re really inspired by the #MeToo campaign, by the West Virginia strike of teachers, largely women who won. We’re also inspired by the women’s marches,” said Rutgers University Associate Professor Deepa Kumar.

Kumar, who is also the president of the Rutgers AAUP-AFT teacher’s union, says now is the time to talk about gender and race equity at Rutgers University.…

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Donna Chiera
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AFTNJ

Educators and Communities Need to Listen to Students and Work Together To Stop Gun Violence

American Federation of Teachers New Jersey (AFTNJ) President Donna M. Chiera is reaching out to leaders of nearly 50 AFT locals and chapters throughout the state, encouraging them to work with educators, administrators, students and community members to stop gun violence in schools and on campuses. “There is anger and frustration building around the country, which could be destructive unless we channel it into positive change,” said Chiera, a retired teacher.…

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AFTNJ

Brookdale Adjuncts Vote to Unionize

By Jay Cook, the Two River Times

Over 450 adjunct professors in the Brookdale Community College system now have more bargaining power, thanks to a decision earlier this month to join the state’s largest higher education union, representatives said last week.

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With some teachers spread thin teaching classes on multiple campuses or balancing teaching with other jobs, being able to create a union now gives adjuncts a more defined voice each semester, they (Joan Carroll and James Schmitt) said.…

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2018 Conference and ConventionAFTNJ News
AFTNJ

Reps. Pallone and Norcross, Candidate Kim To Join Legislative Conference

Confirmations are coming in as the overall agenda takes shape for the April 13-14 Legislative Conference in Atlantic City.

Donald Norcross Rep. Donald Norcross On Friday night, Congressman Donald Norcross will join the welcome dinner program. Rep Norcross is the only electrician in Congress and worked for years installing and restoring power for New Jersey homes, businesses and industrial sites.
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John M. Abeigon
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AFTNJ

Newark Schools – Handing Back The Keys Is A Start

Twenty-two years of state takeover of the Newark Public Schools came to an end on February 1, 2018. Books have been written on the subject and no doubt more will be written in the future. Hundreds of newspaper articles and opinion pieces have been published regarding the infamous $100 million Facebook donation. Most of that donation went to settle labor contracts (two years in arears, mind you), but the balance was consumed by so-called education reform groups and consultants.…

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