Union of Rutgers Administrators News

Steward Training, 8/25/07

Communications, grievances and local accountability highlighted the agenda Saturday, Aug. 25 as Bill Harty from the American Federation of Teachers' (AFT) Union Leadership Institute worked with 43 URA-AFT members interested in becoming stewards. During contract negotiations, stewards are acting as primary sources of information for members.

Training took place in the Labor Education Center

When our contract is ratified, stewards will play active roles in problem-solving and representing members throughout the university. Attend your campus meeting to find out who your local stewards are and get more information about the next steward training session. 

Meet Your Contract Committee, 8/16/07

Negotiations Commence August 21, 2007

Seated left to right: Joyce Sagi, Helen Pirrello, Mary Ann Puccio, Greg Rusciano
Standing left to right: Nat Bender, Darlene Smith, Theresa O'Neill, Lynn Shanko, Kathleen Licinski, Bonita Holt-Griffith, Lucye Millerand, Jim Kirchner, Kathryn Neal
Not pictured: Brandon Changler, Janice DiLella, Mike Ballard, Maria Brewer, Amy Gehrmann, Michael Hutton, Tara Kelley, Sieglinde O'Connor, Allison Thomas, Neuvia Wallace.

This committed group of Rutgers Administrative unit workers has been diligently reviewing contract language and crafting proposals to strengthen our positions and the university as a whole. Ten go to the table, while many more pitch in with research and ideas. In coming editions of this newsletter, we will profile members of the contract committee to learn where they work, what they do, and their goals for a contract.

Rutgers Administrative Staff Union Formation Confirmed

Press release

Scan of PERC certification letter

Rutgers Administrative Staff Unit Elects to Unionize
April 25 Signed authorization for representation cards were delivered to Trenton today to file for the official certification of the URA-AFT.	After thousands of individual discussions and hundreds of small group meetings, an overwhelming majority of approximately 2,000 administrative workers at Rutgers University have elected to unionize by officially forming the Union of Rutgers Administrators-American Federation of Teachers (URA-AFT). Background information See a few photos

Contract Survey Check your mail this week for a contract survey. Writing a contract that really reflects our needs and the unique characteristics of a professional unit at such a diverse institution is a complex process. The survey focuses on the major issues identified by our co-workers in our organizing conversations. We hope, through this survey, to bring everyone into the conversation. Download Survey .pdf

	Video clip from Sen. Menendez Panel on the Right to Organize Senator Robert Menendez chaired a public forum hosted by the Union of Rutgers Administrators, in coordination with the American Federation of Teachers and the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, to discuss the impact of the recent neutrality agreement which was reached between the University and the Union of Rutgers Administrators. View clip
URA-AFT members testify for panel

Feb. 15 Paid Family Leave Act Advances
Karen White	URA-AFT members and the New Jersey State AFL-CIO are working for 12 weeks of paid leave over a 12-month period to care for an ill child, spouse or domestic partner, or for the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child. Learn more

Menendez, a Democrat, is the latest in a string of New Jersey politicians, including Gov. Jon Corzine and Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex), to pressure the university to allow a fair opportunity for some 3,000 midlevel administrators, professionals and supervi sors to unionize. The administrators are one of the only such groups in New Jersey public higher education that does not have union representation.

Congressmen Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) and Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch); Assemblymen Joe Malone (R-30) and Gary Schaer (D-36); Monsignor John J. Gilchrist, Holy Cross Church, Harrison; Patrice Mareschal, Assistant Professor, Rutgers University; and Michele Geban, Senior, Rutgers University also participated on the panel.

URA-AFT member Julia Zapcic and Gov. Corzine

Julia Zapcic: “I am a card signer and I am a proud member of the URA” (1:24) Governor Corzine: "People ought to have the ability to make a decision, based on the free flow of information on a university campus. People ought to have a free choice. That is what card check legislation is about.” (1:41) William Scheuerman, President of United University Professions-AFT which represents 32,000 members including 15,000 professional staff members at SUNY: “I urge you to think of all the benefits of belonging to a union. It’s the right thing to do and I hope you come and join us.” (6:00) Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., Chair of Assembly committee on Higher Education and former grievance chair at Middlesex County College before and after unionization: “Join the union. You have nothing to fear. The administration has nothing to fear. You’ll be better for it and everyone will be better served.” 8:30

Feb. 4 U.S. Senator Bob Menendez to chair panel on neutrality Feb. 12

Monday, February 12, 2007 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Rutgers University Labor Education Center New Brunswick, NJ

Feb. 1 Corzine appears at meeting of union organizers at Rutgers
Star-Ledger
"People ought to have the right to make a free choice when it comes to joining a union," Corzine told about 300 workers at a meeting set up by the American Federation of Teachers in New Brunswick.

Jan. 27 Rutgers, workers reach accord to keep union campaign civil
Star-Ledger
"This removes any shadow of a doubt on campus that the university is going to remain neutral and the employees decisions whether or not to form a union are protected," said Charles Wowkanech, president of the New Jersey AFL-CIO.