Committees

URA-AFT has 12 standing committees based on our constitution and two ad hoc committees (Grant-Funded and Outreach):

  • Civil Rights
  • Communications
  • Contract Development
  • Elections
  • Finance
  • Grant-Funded
  • Grievance
  • Health and Safety
  • Legislative
  • Organizing
  • Outreach
  • Political Education
  • Professional Development
  • Social
  • Social Justice

Below are descriptions of the committees and committee chair contact information. All of the committees welcome new members, so please considering joining one today:

The Civil Rights Committee shall work to secure and promote the civil rights of all members, at the work place and within the local; gather information on violations of civil rights at work places and take action to correct violations; work with other committees to educate members on civil rights issues; keep track of legislation and legal development pertaining to civil rights; and network with other organizations to promote civil rights.

The Communications Committee shall design, produce and distribute regular communications to the membership and other printed material for the organization as necessary; and shall present the views of the organization on both a regular and special basis to the print and electronic media, other labor and community organizations and the general public. Chair:  Isaac Jimenez & Jack Ouligian

The Contract Development Committee shall conduct research, surveys, hearings, and other activities in order to: 1) determine the overall effectiveness of the contract and 2) to support the organization in its collective bargaining, or similar, programs.

The Elections Committee shall conduct and supervise all elections of the organization. Chair: Maria Brewer; Email: elections@ura-aft.org

The Finance Committee shall assist the Executive Board in the preparation of the annual budget and shall identify, and with the approval of the Executive Board, pursue activities to generate revenues for the good and welfare of the organization. Chair: Justin Esperon (Treasurer)

The Committee for Grant-Funded Employees shall conduct research to determine issues of concern for grant-funded employees in the administrative unit, and in general, will advocate for ways to improve their working conditions.

The Grievance Committee shall work with the stewards in the resolution of contractual and non-contractual disputes in the workplace; shall maintain records of grievances and their disposition; shall be responsible for the processing of grievances and disputes beyond the immediate work location; and shall make decisions regarding disputes to be taken to arbitration or civil remedy. The grievant may appeal these last decisions to the Executive Board. Chair: Lucye Millerand (Executive Vice President); Email: lmillerand@ura-aft.org

The Health and Safety Committee shall promote safety awareness and identify and recommend possible solutions to address occupational health, safety, and security concerns. The Chair of the Health and Safety Committee shall represent the organization in labor-management meetings on these topics. Email: safety@ura-aft.org

The Legislative Committee shall be responsible for monitoring government actions that may affect the membership and develop appropriate responses to such action in cooperation with affiliated organizations.

The Organizing Committee shall assist the stewards in developing programs and activities that shall cause all eligible persons to join and participate in the organization. Exec VP: Lucye Millerand

The Committee on Political Education (“COPE”) shall secure voluntary contributions to support the political work of the organization; screen and recommend endorsement of candidates for local, state and federal office to the Executive Board; educate members on the issues of import to the organization, its membership and clients; and develop programs to promote the registration of persons to vote and to support the election of candidates who support the interests of the organization, its membership and the people they serve. Chair: Kay Schechter; Email: cope@ura-aft.org

The Professional Development Committee shall identify the professional and work-related educational and training needs of the membership and develop programs and activities that meet said needs.

The Social Committee shall conduct activities that promote the social well being of the membership, are attractive to potential members, and promote community among organized labor and in the society at large.

The Social Justice Committee. An ad-hoc committee. The Social Justice Committee (SJC) will support and build solidarity with other community organizations whose interests in promoting social justice and quality of life for people in our region are in alignment with ours. The SJC will consider issues that impact workers’ and New Jerseyans’ rights more broadly and that represent the interconnection between our membership’s well-being and that of the community at large. The SJC will develop positions and recommendations to the Board on activities and actions connected to issues that uphold the ideals of social justice and solidarity.