Supporting Students

On Tuesday, January 15, 2013, 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 30 pizzas and distributed 130 care packages to students in the multi-purpose room in The Machuga Heights.

“For a variety of reasons, some students remain on campus during the winter break. Sometimes it's too costly go to go home, and for others the University is the place they call home,” says Rich Wolfson, President of AFT Local 1904. Dr. Wolfson 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 and put together the care packages for students: a plastic shoe box that contained things such as: small travel games, playing cards, gloves, $5 gift cards to Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, cough drops, cocoa, ramen noodles or Cup-a-Soup, granola bars and other snacks, and AFT-branded items such as Post-it notes, and pencils. “It‘s our hope that these packages will bring a little cheer to the students during the intersession,” said Dr. Wolfson.

The students were grateful for the support from the Union, and asked if the Union would host another pizza party and care package event next winter break. 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.”

Becker-Keenen-Moore-Uhia-Waller Scholarship

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 (2.75 GPA or higher) 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 1, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. Applications must be dropped off at the Local's office, College Hall 314A. 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. 

Help spread the word about the BKMUW Scholarship by posting this flier on your office door or department bulletin board, or distributing it in class at the start of the Spring Semester.

If you have any questions, contact Linda Turano in AFT Local 1904's office at 973-655-4453.

Care Packages for Students Needed

AFT Local 1904 is calling on members to help with donating care packages and hosting a pizza party for students who live on campus during the winter break.

The care packages will be distributed to students during at a pizza party the Local will be sponsoring and hosting on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 in The Machuga Heights.

Care Packages should consist of a plastic shoe box (which can be purchased at most Dollar Stores) that contains most of the following:

Small Travel Games

Playing Cards

Gloves

Gift Cards to Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts

Cough Drops 

Travel Packets of Tissues

Cocoa

Ramen Noodles/Cup of Soup

Granola Bars and other snacks

AFT give-aways such as post-it notes, pencils, etc.*

* These items will be provided by the Local.

The drop off location is at Charity Dacey's office University Hall, Suite 1160.  

If you would prefer to make a donation to help underwrite the cost of a care package, please send $15 to the Local's office in College Hall, Room 314A. Checks should be made payable to 'AFT Local 1904'. Contributions need to be received by January 10th. 

Questions? Contact the Local's office at ext. 4453.

AFTNJ Superstorm Sandy Fund

A fund has been established in partnership with the AFT Disaster Relief Fund to assist AFTNJ members and retirees suffering losses from the storm and its aftermath. The fund is part of the union’s tradition of solidarity with members overtaken by natural or man-made catastrophes.

The fund will provide some relief— $250 per member household—to help members meet their immediate essential needs for this disaster. While we know it will not help members pay the lion share of the bills incurred by the catastrophic loss, it serves as a token to show that our union stands together.  To learn more or to access the application, go to AFTNJ's website.