American Federation of Teachers New Jersey, AFL-CIO

Sandy Relief

AFTNJ News Sandy Relief 

Additional Superstorm Sandy Funds Available for AFTNJ Members

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After Superstorm Sandy devastated our state three years ago, AFT and AFTNJ worked to identify members who had been impacted and assist in recovery. We supported the efforts of local food banks and provided information and referrals to the organizations providing direct assistance to families impacted by the storm.

The union elected to provide direct financial support to those who suffered monetary damages due to the storm when their homes or vehicles were damaged.…

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Sandy Relief 

September 15 Last Day to Request a Review of Hurricane Sandy Claims

AFTNJ

Over 11,000 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders who filed claims for damage are in the Hurricane Sandy Claims Review process, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today. FEMA has already validated and begun providing additional funds to policyholders taking part in the Hurricane Sandy Claims Review.

“If you believe your flood claim was underpaid for any reason, we encourage you to do what so many of your neighbors are doing and ask FEMA to take another look,” said Roy Wright, Deputy Associate Administrator for FEMA’s Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, which runs the NFIP.…

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Higher Ed News Sandy Relief 

Rutgers releases report on university’s response to Hurricane Sandy

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By Kelly Heyboer/ The Star-Ledger

NEW BRUNSWICK — When Hurricane Sandy hit last year, Rutgers University did a good job following its emergency plan and evacuating thousands of students. But the state’s largest university made several key mistakes — including failing to communicate well with its faculty, staff and students, according to an internal report.

[…]

Lucye Millerand, head of the Rutgers faculty union, criticized university officials last month for not publicly releasing the report.…

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AFT News AFTNJ News Sandy Relief Take Action 

Help the Philippines: Donate to AFT Disaster Relief Fund

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The entire AFT family is heartbroken by the loss of life and devastation caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan. We have many Filipino members in Baltimore, Md.; Louisiana; New York; New Jersey; California and throughout the United States who are desperately seeking information about family and friends. The Philippines now faces the daunting task of rebuilding communities that have been left without essentials such as food, shelter, clean water, schools, healthcare, power and transportation.…

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AFTNJ News Sandy Relief 

Rutgers’ Post Sandy Report Controversy

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There’s a 275 page report about Rutgers University’s closing during Sandy and the week following that hasn’t been released yet. There were six thousand students that had to be evacuated during those two weeks which have been described as chaotic.

The president of Rutgers University was only two months into his term when Sandy happened. He is the one who has compiled this report and has been talking about it, but he is unwilling to release it to the public.…

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AFTNJ News Higher Ed News In Action Sandy Relief Videos 

The Cogan Family Rebuilds after Sandy

AFTNJ

With the storm surge threatening their Union Beach neighborhood, Jessica and Patrick Cogan loaded up their three children (seven-year-old Declan, nine-year-old Miranda and 11-year-old Kevin) into the minivan to seek higher ground at a local school. The school then flooded (along with the Cogan minivan) necessitating another leg of evacuation.

Back home, the Cogan’s sedan also flooded, leaving the couple carless, lacking electricity and with more than four-feet of floodwater and sludge oozing through their finished basement.…

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AFTNJ News Sandy Relief 

What is AFTNJ doing about Superstorm Sandy?

AFTNJ

While not first-responders or relief agency workers, AFTNJ members made donations of food and clean-up equipment to several distribution centers along the New Jersey Shore. The state federation worked with AFT national staff to identify AFT members who are storm victims using a statewide robo-call and email outreach directly to members as well as engaging with local leaders.…

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Sandy Relief 

FEMA Extends Registration Deadline For New Jersey Hurricane Sandy Survivors

AFTNJ

TRENTON, N.J. — Survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey now have until January 30, 2013 to register for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

People with storm losses in all counties can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

Survivors also can register by phone or 711/VRS by calling 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585.…

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Higher Ed News Sandy Relief 

RUSA looks at workers’ pay­ after Sandy

AFTNJ

Members want overtime compensation, vacation days for employees

By Alex Meier, Correspondent

Rutgers University Student Assembly voted to approve a proposal last night that aims to bring University President Robert L. Barchi’s attention to University employees’ pay during Superstorm Sandy.

Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency on Oct. 29 because of the storm, yet staff members were required to come into work, said Darlene Smith, vice president of the Union of Rutgers Administrators-American Federation of Teachers.…

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Sandy Relief 

Christie Administration Urges Volunteers, Homeowners To Protect Themselves During Storm Clean Up

AFTNJ

Trenton, NJ – Health Commissioner Mary E. O’Dowd today urged those engaged in Hurricane clean up activities to make sure they protect themselves against environmental hazards that may be present in storm damaged homes and buildings.

Mold, materials containing asbestos and lead-based paint may all be potential hazards in storm damaged buildings. Homeowners and volunteers conducting clean up or remediation work should ensure their safety by wearing protective equipment appropriate for the work they are doing.…

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