ATA welcomes new teachers at picnic (click for more).

Welcome back and hi to our new adjuncts:

This year we will begin negotiations for a new contract. However, the college is in very poor financial condition. We will look at what is available and welcome your suggestions. I have reviewed every contract from the other adjunct unions in our union and mined them for ideas that would work for us. I also do not see any value in a contract beyond one year duration since hopefully the college condition may change.

As I write this, student registration is worse than the expected minus 3% which was budgeted. Last year we lost over $300,000 in courses we taught previously. And then the college asked us to give back the meager raise for this year. We did not. Senior Adjuncts (those teaching their 60th credit and more) will receive 724/credit and non seniors 659/credit this year. There have been many problems with ADP preparing checks this summer. Make sure you look carefully at your first check and contact me if you are concerned (hpomerantz@sussex.edu).

I spoke with the college President this summer and discussed concerns that have an impact on adjuncts. We have lost our wonderful VP Kate, HR’s Claudia Olivo and many others in all areas of the college. Those left behind have many added jobs. It is important that you communicate your concerns with me as quickly as possible. If there is a grievance, it must be timely. Copies of the contract are on our web page (nj.aft.org/scccaff/).

We will be electing new officers in the spring. I believe the current slate will agree to continue but we can use at least one more member on the Executive Board. Our new union, United Adjunct Faculty NJ has been working hard to meet the needs of adjuncts throughout the state and is much stronger then each of our previous unions.

I have continued to represent you at the Board of Trustees meetings. With the new members now on the Board I have seen much more open discussion and challenges then in the past. There are two new members that will come onto the Board this year since both of the outgoing members have served the maximum number of consecutive times they can be members - (Mr. Perry and Ms. Case). I look forward to working with the new members and hope they will serve the college well.

Be sure you check the Handbook and know what is required of you as an adjunct. Turn in all paperwork when expected – 10th day rosters, information requested by HR, and final grades. Check your Sussex.edu mail frequently and respond as expected. I’m not sure communications will be as good since so many administrators are gone.

You can sign up for 1 credit course or CCE course within 5 days of the semester with waived tuition except fees. Forms are in the handbook and the bulletin board in the faculty office. Gloves and supplies are also available there. All copying is now done by us and not the secretary. Turn in your Syllabus within the 10th day of the semester to ncellary@sussex.edu.

I will put up notices when new information is posted by me to our web site. Other messages are posted frequently so check often. I will add the web page to the “favorites” on all adjunct computers.

That is all for now. Have a great semester and stay in touch. You can also reach me at 973-383-7807 if needed.

Hank Pomerantz

President

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August 2011 Newsletter

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AFT PLUS Member Benefits

AFT PLUS Member Benefits is the name of the member benefit programs available to AFT members and their families. Many of the programs are provided through Union Privilege, the benefit arm of the AFL-CIO; others are unique to AFT and are coordinated directly through AFT PLUS. Explore the site and learn more about the savings and services available to you as a union member. Click here to learn more about AFT PLUS Member Benefits.

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AFT Local 3782 has represented The Arc of Monmouth employees since 1978.  Our first contract was settled in April, 1979, after a 23-day strike – and we never had to walk a picket line since.  In the 1993 settlement, we gained Union Shop – every employee is a Union member and can take advantage of all the AFT Plus membership benefits listed in a brochure provided to members and available on AFT’s website (www.aft.org).  In addition, our Union automatically provides every employee with AFT’s Occupational Liability Insurance coverage at no cost.

The American Federation of Teachers represents public and private sector employees in education, health care, college and universities, and public service.  With over a million members, AFT is a powerful advocate for the rights of employees and the people they serve in all of these fields.

We are proud of what we have gained for our members over the years.  As the first organized ARC unit in New Jersey, we have led the way toward better salaries, benefits, and working conditions for all ARC staff throughout the state.

This current four-year contract is the tenth collective bargaining agreement we have negotiated with Arc management.  While we have had to make some small concessions on benefits in recent years, each contract has brought significant gains in employee rights, working conditions, and salaries.  We could not have done it alone – our members have always supported our efforts!

People often take their Union for granted and assume that “someone from the Union” will come in and help when needed.  But the Union isn’t something “out there” – it is all of us!  Every member needs to know the contract and insist that it be honored. 

When problems arise, contact your Union Rep or a Union officer promptly – don’t take any manager’s word for what the Union contract means.  Your Union officers can’t know what is happening at your worksite unless you tell them!

Help us help you by getting involved.  Volunteer to be a Union Rep or serve on a Union committee.  Only by standing together can we preserve the gains we have made.  In all the ways that matter, YOU ARE THE UNION!