AFT Local 1904 Celebrates Turning 50

On Friday, September 14th, 2018, the AFT Local 1904 celebrated the 50th anniversary of its original charter, signed on the same date in 1968. The event was held in the Amphitheater of the newly-renovated CCIS building (previously Mallory Hall) on the MSU campus. In attendance were approximately 150 people, including numerous members of the Local community, as well as officers of the Local. Also in attendance were officers of AFTNJ and CNJSCL. Local President Rich Wolfson shared an historical perspective of the Local. Special guest, NJ Assemblyman Thomas Giblin offered remarks and the presentation of a formal proclamation of congratulations to the Local. Keynote speaker, AFT President Randi Weingarten, delivered a powerful message about Montclair State's role in the future of public education and democracy in America. Rocky the Red Hawk greeted attendees. Students distributed buttons with words of solidarity and equality. A barbecue lunch was served.

Photos -- Top Left: AFT National President Randi Weingarten, keynote address; Top Right: AFT Local 1904 President Rich Wolfson, presenting the Charter and an historical perspective; Bottom Left: Hon. Thomas Giblin, NJ Assemblyman, remarks and Proclamation of Congratulations; Bottom Right: Local, State, and National AFT leadership. Photos by Mike Peters.

Click Here for the full story, in the Montclarion.

Emergency Aid for Students at Montclair State

American Federation of Teachers Local 1904 at Montclair State University has been selected to be a partner with Believe in Students, Inc., to have a Faculty And Students Together (FAST) Fund for students at Montclair. The FAST Fund was started by Sara Goldrick-Rab and provides emergency aid for students without the bureaucracy or hassle typically associated with short term student relief. Local 1904 is proud to be among this small group of partner schools which include: California State University – Long Beach, California; Nash Community College, Rocky Mount, North Carolina; Columbus State Community College, Columbus Ohio; Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, Massachusetts; and Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

As a partner with Believe in Students, AFT Local 1904 will be administering a FAST Fund at Montclair State University to assist students with paying for expenses that they would not otherwise be able to afford.  Some examples of what FAST Funds have been used to pay for at other partner campuses:

• Professional licensing fees
• Temporary housing
• Rent to avoid eviction
• Auto repair bills
• Replacement costs for textbooks and laptops/iPad or other required technology for the educational program
• Eyeglasses and eye exams

To qualify for the funds, Montclair State students need to fill out a one page application form requiring a member reference and an explanation of need. Return completed applications to AFT Local 1904’s office in Dickson Hall 104. Questions? Call our office at 973-655-4453. 

Michigan Lecturers Win Tentative Agreement

Lecturers at the University of Michigan reached a tentative agreement Friday that would raise their pay from currently untenable salaries, increase their retirement income, and improve healthcare access and job security. By the end of the third year of the proposed agreement, the minimum starting salary will increase by $12,700 to $16,500, depending on the campus. The agreement follows a long battle with administrators who argued that the school did not have enough money to pay lecturers fairly; students, alumni and the community rallied to prove otherwise. A vote on the agreement is scheduled for July. (via AFT Communications)

Understanding the Potential Impact of the Janus Case Upon Organized Labor, Collective Bargaining, and the General Public

The Supreme Court of the United States may render its ruling on the case, Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31, as early as this Monday, June 25th 2018. The ruling, if in favor of the plaintiff (Mark Janus) would forbid public sector unions from collecting agency fees from those within its bargaining unit who choose not to join as full members--overturning a ruling by the Supreme Court in the 1970s that upheld the right of public sector unions to collect agency fees, based upon law in effect since 1935. This would mean that the so-called, anti-union "Right-to-Work" principle would be nationally enforced. The video below provides important background and details on the case, and how it will impact not only public sector unions, but the general US public and national economy.