TO: AAUP BARGAINING UNIT MEMBERS

FROM: ALEX BERNSTEIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AAUP-UMDNJ

RE: AAUP COUNCIL APPROVES FILING OF INJUNCTION

DATE: MARCH 30, 2007

YOU ARE NOT ALONE - AAUP IS HERE TO HELP YOU !

I am writing to advise you that on March 29, 2007, AAUP's Council APPROVED the filing of an INJUNCTION to maintain your salary at the status quo until UMDNJ negotiates with AAUP. This is in addition to the CLASS ACTION GRIEVANCES filed on March 27, 2007.  Attached is the communication submitted to the Board of Trustees, Central Administration and the Deans advising them of AAUP Council's actions and reiterating AAUP's request to negotiate over all modifications to faculty compensation contemplated or already affected.

Your salary is protected by the AAUP contract, New Jersey Labor Law, and past practice.  Despite AAUP's requests on February 22, 2007 and March 9, 2007 to negotiate over "all modifications to unit member compensation contemplated or already affected," to date, UMDNJ has refused to negotiate or provide AAUP with any information on this issue. 

As FACULTY, you should not have to wait for the University to determine the appropriate time to meet and negotiate this issue !  If NOW is not the time, WHEN IS ?

As FACULTY, you should not have to wait for requested information that the University used to make its decisions to modify faculty salaries. If NOW is not the time, WHEN IS?

As FACULTY, the University should seek your input and form a partnership with you before making such drastic decisions to modify your salary. If NOW is not the time, WHEN IS?

The time is NOW for UMDNJ to Negotiate !

The time is NOW for UMDNJ to provide the Information !

The time is NOW for UMDNJ to form a partnership with the Faculty !

AAUP is taking every step possible to maintain your salary at the status quo until the University negotiates with AAUP.  In return, I am asking for your support by:

1. advising me of any reduction(s) to your salary so that we can jointly take the appropriate steps to protect your rights;

2. speaking and acting collectively as one within and across departments;

3. objecting to any salary reductions; and

4. demanding that UMDNJ negotiate with AAUP NOW on this issue.

If I am not aware of your salary reduction, it is difficult for AAUP to protect your rights.

If you are opposed to the actions the University is taking, its inaction to negotiate, or failure to provide you with information, there is no better way to let the University know of your dissatisfaction than by filling out an authorization form to become a full member of AAUP. You are not automatically a full member if a deduction is being taken out of your paycheck. If there is ever a time AAUP needs your support, this is it. To find out whether you are a full member, please contact Vatrice George at 973-972-5875 or at george@aaupumdnj.org.

Notwithstanding the filing of the grievances and the impending injunction, AAUP will continue to make every effort to resolve this matter promptly and amicably through negotiation.

If you have any questions about the above, please contact me at 973-972-5875 or at bernstein@aaupumdnj.org.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE - AAUP IS HERE TO HELP YOU !