The Coalition of Rutgers Unions held a virtual press conference Feb. 25 to discuss recent and anticipated layoffs and cutbacks throughout Rutgers University.
Among the participants was Rutgers URA-AFT (Local 1766) President Christine O’Connell, who addressed the situation of high-paying administration positions being filled during a hiring freeze.
“I think it’s a question of priorities,” O’Connell said. “I think the university has their priorities, and their priorities do not include the greater good — that includes community, that includes faculty, and that includes staff.
“So when they elevate and promote and create new vice president positions, new vice provost positions out of thin air that have virtually no contact with the core mission of the university of students and research and service, it is very difficult to understand, to make sense of and to explain.
“I think that we need — together, you know, in solidarity — we need to realign Rutgers’ priorities.”
