TO: UMDNJ FACULTY
FROM: ALEX BERNSTEIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AAUP-UMDNJ
RE: REVIEW APPOINTMENT LETTERS
DATE: MAY 18, 2007
UMDNJ ADMINISTRATION GETS F IN COMPLIANCE
I am writing to advise you that the University is attempting to unilaterally modify the terms and conditions of your employment via the issuance of appointment/offer letters, in violation of the AAUP contract and its Affiliation Agreement with UPA. As such, it is essential that you have your appointment/offer letters reviewed so that you understand its content and its impact on your terms and conditions of employment.
If your appointment/offer letter is expiring on June 30, 2007 or you are otherwise required to sign any documents provided to you by the University, please do not sign or verbally agree to its terms without consulting with AAUP.
As an example, attached is a redacted appointment/offer letter issued by the NJMS and signed by Dean Johnson, that is a BLATANT attempt by the University to violate the AAUP contract and its Affiliation Agreement with the UPA by unilaterally modifying existing long-standing compensation practices and other terms and conditions of employment.
The attached letter is a conscious effort by the University to unilaterally modify the following terms and conditions of your employment:
- Definition of Full-Time-Equivalent: Despite the fact that the faculty member is "expected to participate fully in the teaching, research and patient care activities" and "work three (3) full clinic days," which is a 60% FTE, it is only recognized as a 50% FTE. This violates the AAUP contract because the salary offered is below the salary minimums set forth in the AAUP contract and impacts upon other benefits, such as the calculation of retirement benefits.
- 90-day or Longer Probationary Period: At-will employment during "awaiting faculty appointment period," " which may be extended if necessary" violates the AAUP contract by depriving the faculty member of the job security protections under the contract and impacts upon the calculation of retirement benefits.
- Deprives Faculty of Faculty Practice Income: The provision that "all professional billing income through the faculty practice plan, net of practice plan assessments, will be retained by the Department to offset your salary" violates the Affiliation Agreement between the UPA and NJMS.
- Deprives Faculty of Pay for Charity Care: The employment offer excludes a Patient Service Component to Salary in consideration of charity patient care.
To preserve your existing terms and conditions of employment (i.e. Salary), YOU MUST HAVE YOUR APPOINTMENT LETTERS REVIEWED AND QUESTION AND REJECT the University’s attempts to unilaterally modify your terms and conditions of employment via appointment/offer letters.
DO NOT SIGN OR AGREE TO YOUR APPOINTMENT LETTER UNTIL IT IS REVIEWED BY AAUP.
DEMAND THE UNIVERSITY’S COMPLIANCE WITH THE AAUP CONTRACT AND ITS' AFFILIATION AGREEMENT WITH UPA.
Please contact me at 973-972-5875 or Amy Reeder at 732-235-4196 if you have any questions or would like AAUP to review your appointment letter.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE – AAUP IS HERE TO HELP YOU !