2018 Legislative Conference: “We Care, We Fight, We Vote, We Win” | American Federation of Teachers New Jersey, AFL-CIO

AFTNJ members met in Atlantic City April 13-14 to learn more about legislative issues and tactics, discover tools to strengthen locals and vote on business and for new officers at the union’s biennial convention.

Convention Report

Conference Report

2018-2020 Officer Election Results
On Saturday, April 14, the following officers were elected for the term July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020.Donna Chiera, President
Sue Tardi, Executive VP Higher Education
Rob Barbier, Executive VP PreK-12
Jennifer Higgins, Treasurer
Lucye Millerand, Secretary

PREK-12 VICE PRESIDENTS
Michael Backo
Christopher Canik
Leslie Correa
Carol Graff
Michael Iovino
Jerry Moore
Patricia Paradiso
Robin Pinckney-St. John
Margaret Roberts
Donna Tartza
Cynthia Wade
Chris Winslow

HIGHER ED VICE PRESIDENTS
Elaine Bobrove
James Castiglione
Lynne Cummins
Tim Haresign
David Hughes
William Lipkin
Robert Russo
Kay Schechter
Darlene Smith
Bill Sullivan
Leonard Winogora

There is one vacant Higher Ed VP position. Information about filling that vacancy will be distributed in an upcoming newsletter.

Green Resolution Passes

Delegates discussed and voted to approve a resolution from the Raritan Valley Community College Faculty Federation to support mass transit in New Jersey.

The resolution was modeled one passed by the Raritan Valley Community College Faculty Federation in February.

Award Presentations

Friend of Higher Education award for Asm. Dan Benson, presented by Jennifer Higgins (center), Donna Chiera

NTU President John Abeigon (right) accepts “Friend of Education” award on behalf of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka from PreK-12 Exec. VP Rob Barbier (left) and Donna Chiera.

“Pride of the Union” award presented to outgoing Treasurer Joe Amabile.

“Friend of Labor” award presented to Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo.

Policy Discussions And Workshops

Conference attendees heard from two Congressional reps (Donald Norcross and Frank Pallone), one Assemblyman (Dan Benson), one “acting” (Lamont Repollett, Ed.D) and one confirmed state commissioner (Robert Asaro-Angelo) and a candidate for Congress (Andy Kim) Friday and Saturday, April 13-14 in Atlantic City.

Robert Barbier, Kay Schechter, acting Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet Ed.D.

Planning and informational workshops with the Citizens Campaign, Higher Education Leadership Council (HELC) ran Friday afternoon while conference attendees learned about labor history, organizing tools, how to spot “fake” news, adjunct unemployment and safeguarding the union’s treasury on Saturday morning.