Robert G. Porter Scholars Program

Grants and Scholarships Available As part of the Robert G. Porter Scholars Program, the AFT offers $8,000 scholarships to four high-achieving high school seniors who are the dependents of AFT members. And 10 grants of $1,000 each are available to AFT members who seek to implement ideas for their union about the role union members can play in collectively reclaiming the promise.  Applications are now available online. The deadline for submitting the 2014 application to the AFT is March 31. This year's winners will be announced by June 30 and will be recognized at the AFT convention, July 11-14, in Los Angeles.  Robert G. Porter was a dedicated union activist from the time he joined his first AFT local in East St. Louis, Ill., until his death in 1991. For nearly four decades, the late AFT secretary-treasurer gave his all to championing the rights of working people, promoting civil rights, and ensuring that the union was a vehicle for helping members achieve justice. Since its inception in 1993, the Robert G. Porter Scholars Program has awarded more than $500,000 to AFT members and their dependents to further their education and to help grow our union’s capacity to achieve our goals.

Statement to the Board of Trustees

On February 6, 2014, the Board of Trustees held a meeting at 10:00 a.m., and though Rich Wolfson, President of AFT Local 1904, was unable to attend and present his statement in person, he did submit it to the Board of Trustees chair, Ralph LaRossa and Dr. Cole as written correspondence to the Board. In his statement he offered condolences on behalf of AFT Local 1904 to Rose Cali and the entire Cali family on the passing of John J. Cali, and noted the loss of two MSU faculty members, Sue Weston and Robert McCormick.

In addition, Dr. Wolfson also commented on the Revised Patent Policy and the proposed Social Media Policy, and addressed the recent changes to the tenure law. He closed his comments by remarking on the condition of campus on Monday, February 3, 2014 and welcoming the new vice president for Human Resources, Jerry Cutler. His entire statement can be read by clicking here.  

Putting Students First

On Tuesday, January 7, 2014, American Federation of Teachers, Local 1904 at Montclair State University hosted a pizza party for students who live on campus and didn’t go home during the winter break. At the party, faculty, professional staff and librarians provided 20 pizzas and distributed 100 care packages to students in the multi-purpose room in The Machuga Heights. This year representatives from the Health Promotions Department were also on hand to give out goodies and information on how to live a healthy life to students.

“For a variety of reasons, some students remain on campus during the winter break. Sometimes it's too costly go to go home, some are student athletes who stay and continue to train and compete with their teams, and for others the University is the place they call home,” says Alexander Sperling, Chair of AFT Local 1904’s Community Outreach Committee.  Mr. Sperling explained, “Our members wanted to do something for these students to show them our support and to continue our tradition of making campus a welcoming place.”

Union members paid for the care packages for students: a plastic shoe box that contained things such as: playing cards, UNO cards, Sudoko books, cocoa, Cup-a-Soup, granola bars and other snacks, tissues, gum, and AFT-branded items such as Post-it notes, pencils, pens, and luggage tags. “It‘s our hope that these packages will brighten the time students spend on campus during the intersession,” said Rich Wolfson, President of AFT Local 1904.

The students were grateful for the support from the Union and many were unaware that the faculty, professional staff, and librarians who work on campus are unionized employees. Students were also excited to learn about the $500 scholarships that AFT Local 1904 funds every year. Dr. Wolfson said, “AFT Local 1904 is committed to supporting our students in every way possible.”

Union Plus Scholarship Available

The 2014 Union Plus Scholarship application is now available. The application deadline is Friday, January 31, 2014 at 12 pm (noon). 

Eligibility: Current and retired members of unions participating in any Union Plus program (which AFT does), their spouses and their dependent children (as defined by IRS regulations). Grandchildren are not eligible unless a legal dependent (as defined by IRS regulations). At least one year of continuous union membership by the applicant, applicant's spouse or parent (if applicant is a dependent). The one year membership minimum must be satisfied by May 31, 2014. 

  

Scholarship Award Amounts:  Amounts range from $500 to $4,000.  These one-time cash awards are for study beginning in the fall of 2014.  Students may re-apply each year.

Application Requirements: 1) A letter of recommendation, 2) two essays - one about the applicant's goals, aspirations and community service, and the other about the applicant's relationship with the union and the labor movement, and 3) the applicant's union information, which should include the information stated below. 

AFT Local 1904

Montclair State University

One Normal Ave., CO 314A

Montclair, NJ 07042

973-655-4453

President: Richard Wolfson

Office Manager: Linda Turano

If you or a family member applies for this scholarship, please be sure to let the Local know by sending us an email @ union@mail.montclair.edu.

Statement to the Board of Trustees

On Friday, December 20, 2013, Rich Wolfson, President of AFT Local 1904, addressed the Board of Trustees regarding the personnel actions on the agenda. He extended congratulations to the 21 faculty members who were approved for tenure, and the 71 professional staff members  who were reappointed, many with multi-year contracts. 

However, his statement at this meeting focused on Action Item 6 which called for a vote to refer the detenuring of a tenured full professor to the Office of Administrative Law as a contested case for a hearing. He informed the board that the Local is vigorously representing this faculty member as it is the Local's duty to ensure that our procedures, our contract, and the law, regarding the detenuring of a tenured faculty member, are followed and applied fairly. His entire statement can be read by clicking here.