Saturday, April 15, 2017

May Day Newark Rally and March

May Day 2017: Newark Rally & March for racial justice, dignity, respect, and permanent protection for all immigrants & workers!

Monday, May 1st
2:00 PM: Rally at Lincoln Park & march to Federal Building
5:30 PM: Justice Walk

For the full schedule, go to this link.

Text HUELGA to 41411 and/or use this link




Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Successful Day of Action on Wednesday, April 12th

On Wednesday, April 12th, in a special expression of the 1904 Local's weekly solidarity walks, members of our university's labor community assembled to make a statement about the intolerable status of the state contract, which expired nearly two years ago. 

The walk, in solidarity with other public colleges and universities throughout the state, took the symbolic form of a simulated jazz funeral procession, including performance of an arrangement of Florence Reece's labor rights anthem, "Which Side Are You On?" (made famous by Pete Seeger) for brass/wind quartet (with musicians consisting of MSU faculty and students), and a coffin carried by several participants, depicted as containing the "deceased" contract. In mobilizing the jazz funeral form, our Local carefully acknowledged the historical context and cultural roots of the hallowed tradition by providing background information and references on the same leaflet that contained the song lyrics for the processional.

A considerable number of participants turned out for the walk, in spite of the rainy weather. Many members of the university community took notice, and members of the regional press were present to document the event and interview organizers. Video of the event, including commentary by adjunct union president Robert Noonan, from njtvonline, is below.


Tuesday, April 4, 2017

AFT Local 1904 Supports Office of Equity and Diversity's Social Justice Conference

On Friday, March 31, 2017, The Office of Equity and Diversity of Montclair State University hosted its inaugural Social Justice Conference. The Theme for the conference was "Raise Awareness. Inspire Change. Strengthen Communities." This one-day personal and professional development event offered various plenaries, fundamental and advanced-level workshops, and educational sessions to our campus community on issues of social identity, social justice, racial justice, power and privilege, and more. The conference was free and limited to current Montclair State University students, faculty and staff. This event was made possible by many co-sponsors including AFT Local 1904.

[Contributed by Carmen Reyes-Cueves, Assistant Director, Educational Opportunity Fund Program, Montclair State University]

Get Ready for Giving Day 2017!

Last year, we launched our first-ever Giving Day. We had big goals, and you helped us exceed them! Nearly 350 donors came together to raise over $12,000 in support of Montclair State University.

Now that we've seen what you can do, we're ready to launch this year's Giving Day! On April 20, the Montclair State community will come together to support Montclair State students. Be sure to save the date and help us continue our success from last year.

Keep an eye out for emails, social media messages and more leading up to and throughout April 20. Can't wait to give? Make a gift online today in support of Giving Day.

Be sure to spread the word using the hashtag #MontclairStateGIVES!

Want more information? Contact the Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at 973-655-4141 or giving@montclair.edu