AFT Local 1904 Represent at the 25th Annual Labor Candidates School

 

On the weekend of August 14th and 15th, 2021, some 30 union siblings attended the New Jersey State AFL-CIO’s 25th Annual Labor Candidates School. The Labor Candidates School participants, approved by their local unions and Central Labor Councils, have filed to run in this year’s election for local and state offices, or are seriously considering a run in the future. 

AFT Local 1904's own Mike Heller and Jennifer Higgins (both in photo below), participated in this year's School. Heller is running again for the Bloomfield Board of Education and attended the school as a refresher course. Higgins is considering running for office sometime in the future. 

Left: Mike Heller, AFT Local 1904 Treasurer and CNJSCL Treasurer
Right: Jennifer Higgins, AFT Local 1904 Member and AFT NJ Treasurer

Marti Kennedy, who went on to win an election in Little Falls in 2011, and Edina Renfro Michele, current Council Member of Ward 2 in Boonton, are among the AFT Local 1904 members and past graduates of the NJ Labor Candidate School. The NJ Labor Candidate School is widely heralded as the best in the country, and graduates are typically but not universally afforded a coveted AFL-CIO endorsement.

The two-day school was dedicated to the memory of AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka, a stalwart supporter of the New Jersey Labor Candidates Program. The union values President Trumka dedicated his life to were the foundations of every session: Solidarity. Loyalty. Justice. Dignity. Respect. Prosperity. Fairness. Democracy. Courage. Shared Humanity.

Housing Costs: Resources for Assistance

If you’re looking for help with housing costs, you’re not alone. 

Renters: State and local organizations are distributing federal rental assistance in their communities. The money can help landlords and renters who are struggling to keep up with rent and other bills. Many programs take applications from both landlords and renters. Information on this program can be found here.

Homeowners: If you've had trouble making mortgage payments because of a COVID-19 related hardship, we have information to help. Whether you're entering forbearance, need more time, or are ready to exit, we have information on what to do next. can be found here.

Essex West-Hudson Labor Council Annual Scholarship Breakfast

This morning the Essex West-Hudson Labor Council had its annual Scholarship Breakfast where Pablo Romero, son of Professor Debra Saivetz, received a $1000 scholarship. He is planning on attending Montclair State as a pre-med student. Ex-Mayor of Newark Sharp James was in attendance and was asked to say a few words by Assemblyman Tom Giblin. Mayor James talked about "paying it forward," and announced he was doubling the scholarship for each recipient to $2000. It was an exciting surprise for everyone in the room particularly the parents of the scholarship awardees

Negotiator Emeritus Ken Brook Honored with Brick in Silk Walk, National Labor Museum, Botto House

Negotiator Emeritus Ken Brook was honored today with a brick in the Silk Walk at the National Labor Museum, Botto House for his work over the years as the Chief Negotiator for our Local. Joe Moore was there there to receive the certificate and say a few words about Ken who could not attend. Joe was a long time active member of the Local before his retirement and was the President of the Montclair State Faculty Association a precursor organization before our affiliation with AFT and becoming Local 1904.