How Gov. Christie Made Government Workers the Bad Guy

Ever wonder how Governor Christie made public-sector unions and employees responsible for the fiscal problems the state faces? Did you know that he blames the underfunding of New Jersey's state pension system on you? If not, or if you want to know how he's managed to cast public employees in this light, read this article, "How unions took the fall for NJ's pension scandals".

AFT Scholars Award and Scholarship for Dependents Available

Through AFT National's Robert G. Porter Scholars Program, two opportunities are now available. One is for a one-time $1,000 grant to AFT members in good standing for at least one year to pursue courses in their field of work.

The other is for a four-year $8,000 postsecondary scholarship for dependents of AFT member's. Applicants of this scholarship must be a graduating high school senior. The applicant's parent or guardian must be an AFT member for at least one year.

The deadline for both opportunities is March 31, 2011. For more information and to download the applications, click here.

Special Election for Positions of Treasurer, Negotiations Coord. & External VP

As per the announcement of the Special Election by President Wolfson, and in accordance with the By-Laws and Constitution of Local 1904 and past practice, the Elections Committee will hold an election for the positions of Treasurer, Negotiations Coordinator, and External Vice-President, and Delegate to be conducted at a Special General Union meeting on February 2 at 2:00 p.m. in SC417. The Elections Committee (Michael Heller, Lisa Hazard, Tom Trone, Matthew Pierce and Jason Dickinson) will conduct all aspects of the election. In order to be eligible to be on the ballot, candidates must file in person a nomination form with signatures of 10 members in good standing by 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 1, in the Union office, College Hall 314A. Any candidate who submits a validated nomination form must be present at the Special General Union meeting on February 2 at 2:00 p.m. SC417 and be prepared to make a two-minute statement at its beginning.

Only members present and in good standing at the meeting will be issued ballots. Ballots will be counted by the Elections Committee and the results will be announced prior to the Special General Union meeting's adjournment.

In Solidarity,

Michael Heller

Chair, Elections Committee

Union Undergraduate Scholarship Applications Are Now Available

AFT Local 1904 is happy to announce that applications for the Becker-Keenen-Moore-Uhia-Waller Scholarship are now available. All full-time undergraduate students in any major are eligible. If you know students in good academic standing who might benefit from this award, please encourage them to apply.

This scholarship fund was established in 1997 in honor of Catherine A. Becker, James P. Keenen III, Joseph T. Moore, Anita E. Uhia, and Connie Waller, all former faculty and active union members who were deeply committed to the principles of collective bargaining and to helping our students who demonstrate a significant economic need. For additional information and to download the application, please visit the Local’s website, and click on the “Scholarships” tab.

The deadline to apply for these $500 scholarships is Friday, March 11, 2011 at 3 p.m. Students who wish to be considered for this award are required to complete the application, write a short essay, and provide two letters of recommendation from full-dues paying members of the Local.

If you have any questions, contact Linda Turano in the Union office at 973-655-4453.

Media Representation of Educators and Their Unions

Dr. Rebecca Goldstein, member of AFT Local 1904 and one of the Local's delegates to the CNJSCL, published an article titled, "Imaging the Frame: Media Representations of Teachers, Their Unions, NCLB, and Education Reform," in Educational Policy on April 14, 2010. The article "examines the political discourse surrounding NCLB, educational reform, and how that discourse shaped perceptions of public education during the Bush Administration. . . . . Analysis revealed that media framing presented an overwhelmingly negative image of teachers’ unions as opposed to NCLB and other school reform efforts." To view the whole article, please click here.