February 3, 2010
AAUP DUES INCREASE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN QUALITY SERVICES TO YOU
Over the past two years and in response to various University actions, the AAUP has filed 19 legal claims to preserve your rights and enforce the terms of the AAUP contract. AAUP has prevailed or satisfactorily resolved 15 of the 19 claims, with 3 pending. These actions by the AAUP have resulted in:
- saving you 1.5% of your base salary in health care costs;
- maintaining your prescription co-pays at $10;
- reinstatement of clinical components the University reduced or preventing reductions the University contemplated implementing;
- requiring the University to negotiate over proposed clinical component reductions before implementation;
- requiring the University to negotiate with the AAUP over its’ investigatory procedure to ensure you receive your due process rights;
- 5 successful appeals and/or resolutions of faculty disciplines;
- requiring the University to provide newly hired faculty with the same benefits all faculty receive;
- faculty receiving salary increases, multi-year contracts, and extramural incentive awards when denied by UMDNJ;
- opening up channels of communication with the University that were previously nonexistent.
This is just a small sampling of contributions the AAUP has made to improve your working conditions; maintain your academic freedom; and protect your rights. These victories and ongoing activities that you have benefited from have not been without cost.
During the past 8 years, AAUP's operating expenses and legal costs have risen by 47% and our reserves reduced, while dues have remained constant at $20 and your negotiated salary increases have amounted to over 33%.
As such, on January 28, 2010, AAUP’s Council voted to increase full member dues from $20 to $26 per paycheck and representation fee payer dues from $15.87 to $22.10 per paycheck. This difficult decision was necessary to maintain the quality of the service we are providing and to maintain adequate reserves.
With this increase, the AAUP will continue to advocate on your behalf, protect your rights and academic freedom, and enforce the terms of the AAUP contract.
We thank you for your continued support.