We need your immediate help!
The President has vetoed the Fiscal Year 2008 Education Appropriations bill. This bill contains critical programs including: special and early childhood education, dropout prevention and student aid for the college bound.
NJEA is appealing to Congress to stand up for children and public schools by overriding the President’s veto. Therefore, we are asking both Democrats and Republicans to work together to override the veto when it comes up for a vote prior to Thanksgiving recess.
We are urging all local leaders to call their Congressional office (either their DC or District phone number) stressing a “yes” vote to override. The phone list for the Congressional offices is below.
Your calls and help are greatly appreciated as the time frame for action is very short.
Thank you.
110th CONGRESS
U.S. SENATORS
Frank Lautenberg (D) 202-224-3224
FAX: 202-228-4054
EMAIL: www.lautenberg.senate.gov
District Office: 973-639-8700
FAX: 973-639-8723
Robert Menendez (D) 202-224-4744
FAX: 202-228-2197
EMAIL: www.menendez.senate.gov
District Office: 973-645-3030
FAX: 973-645-0502
U.S. CONGRESSPERSONS
CD 01
Robert Andrews (D) 202-225-6501
FAX: 202-225-6583
EMAIL: rob.andrews@mail.house.gov
District Office: 856-546-5100
FAX: 856-546-9529
CD 02
Frank LoBiondo (R) 202-225-6572
FAX: 202-225-3318
EMAIL: lobiondo@mail.house.gov
District Office: 609-625-5008
FAX: 609-625-5071
CD 03
H. James Saxton (R) 202-225-4765
FAX: 202-225-0778
EMAIL: jim.saxton@mail.house.gov
District Office: 609-261-5800
FAX: 609-261-1275
CD 04
Christopher Smith (R) 202-225-3765
FAX: 202-225-7768
EMAIL: www.chrissmith.house.gov/zipauth.html
District Office: 609-585-7878
FAX: 609-585-9155
CD 05
Scott Garrett (R) 202-225-4465
FAX: 202-225-9048
EMAIL: www.house.gov/formgarrett/contact.shtml
District Office: 201-712-0330
FAX: 201-712-0930
CD 06
Frank Pallone (D) 202-225-4671
FAX: 202-225-9665
EMAIL: frank.pallone@mail.house.gov
District Office: 732-571-1140
FAX: 732-870-3890
CD 07
Michael Ferguson (R) 202-225-5361
FAX: 202-225-9460
EMAIL: www.ferguson.house.gov/index.cmf?
District Office: 908-757-7835
FAX: 908-757-7841
CD 08
William Pascrell (D) 202-225-5751
FAX: 202-225-5782
EMAIL: bill.pascrell@mail.house.gov
District Office: 973-523-5152
FAX: 973-523-0637
CD 09
Steven Rothman (D) 202-225-5061
FAX: 202-225-5851
EMAIL: steven.rothman@mail.house.gov
District Office: 201-646-0808
FAX: 201-646-1944
CD 10
Donald Payne (D) 202-225-3436
FAX: 202-225-4160
EMAIL: donald.payne@mail.house.gov
District Office: 973-645-3213
FAX: 973-645-5902
CD 11
Rodney Frelinghuysen (R) 202-225-5034
FAX: 202-225-3186
EMAIL: rodney.frelinghuysen@mail.house.gov
District Office: 973-984-0711
FAX: 973-292-1569
CD 12
Rush Holt (D) 202-225-5801
FAX: 202-225-6025
EMAIL: rush.holt.@mail.house.gov
District Office: 609-750-9365
FAX: 609-750-0618
CD 13
Albio Sires (D) 202-225-7919
FAX: 202-226-0792
EMAIL: www.house.gov/sires/
District Office: 201-222-2828
FAX: 201-222-0188
10/11/07
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
PRESIDENTS' OVERNIGHTER - NOV. 16-17
The Camden County Presidents' Overnight Workshops will be held at the Princeton Hyatt on November 16 - 17. Due to NJEA Convention and vacation schedules at the county office, RSVPs MUST reach the CCCEA office no later than Friday, November 2. Don't miss out on this very memorable event. Get your RSVPs in today!
Friday, October 05, 2007
NEW MEMBER FAIR
The new member fair scheduled for October 17 is rapidly filling up! If you have members who are interested in attending, please let us know ASAP. As of today, we have some exciting vendors that will be participating. Some include Borders, Unlimited Day Spa, who will be on hand to give massages and discounts on services; Camden River Sharks have tons of giveaways for those attending; clowns, jugglers, and caricatures will surely be part of the fun. Our endorsed vendors, such as Buyers Edge, Prudential, Wachovia Bank, Camden Children's Garden, Philadelphia Soul, and many others, will be on hand to share information with our members. Don't miss out on this fun event.
Check your emails on Tuesday for a poster you can add to your bulletin boards.
Check your emails on Tuesday for a poster you can add to your bulletin boards.
Monday, September 24, 2007
ATTEND THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING SUMMIT
The 2007 NJEA Jim George Collective Bargaining Summit will be held in New Brunswick on Saturday, October 13. Please note that there have been problems with the lock box, and to date, we have no one registered from Camden County. If you have sent in registration forms for you or members in your local, please contact this office immediately.
This year's summit will be our 40th anniversary celebration of the Asbury Park rally and is designed specifically for NJEA members involved in the bargaining process. Local presidents, negotiations teams, and other members involved in the bargaining process will benefit from discussions on NJEA’s success in protecting the health benefits they negotiate, as well as post-retirement medical benefits.
This year's summit will be our 40th anniversary celebration of the Asbury Park rally and is designed specifically for NJEA members involved in the bargaining process. Local presidents, negotiations teams, and other members involved in the bargaining process will benefit from discussions on NJEA’s success in protecting the health benefits they negotiate, as well as post-retirement medical benefits.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
COMMUNICATIONS TOOLS WORKSHOP
On October 27th, the NJEA's Communications Tools Workshop will be held in our headquarters office in Trenton. This is a great workshop for association newsletter editors, PRIDE chairs, and even ARs! For a registration form, please contact lgalley@njea.org. This is a great opportunity for you, as president, to recruit someone to do this much needed job.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
LAST CALL!! NEW MEMBERSHIP WORKSHOP
As you know, there will be a Membership Chair workshop at the CCCEA office on Monday, September 17. To date, we have attendees from only five locals (Educational Assistants of Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Black Horse Pike, Haddon Township, and Clementon.)
Please encourage your membership chairs to attend this training. They will hear all about NJEA's latest membership and organizing resources, how to update membership records on NJEA's electronic membership system (MARS on the web), and much more. And last but not least, they will receive an exclusive Year of the Leader golf shirt just for attending!!!
Please contact the CCCEA office at 856-489-1267 today to confirm your seat. It's important that your records and ours are kept as up to date as possible for accurate funding purposes.
If you have any questions, please don't hestitate to contact us.
Please encourage your membership chairs to attend this training. They will hear all about NJEA's latest membership and organizing resources, how to update membership records on NJEA's electronic membership system (MARS on the web), and much more. And last but not least, they will receive an exclusive Year of the Leader golf shirt just for attending!!!
Please contact the CCCEA office at 856-489-1267 today to confirm your seat. It's important that your records and ours are kept as up to date as possible for accurate funding purposes.
If you have any questions, please don't hestitate to contact us.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
BILL LOCKING IN POST RETIREMENT HEALTH BENEFITS PASSES LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES
We will soon witness an historic moment in NJEA history:
In 1988, NJEA secured state-paid health benefits for teacher retirees. The state budgeted money for these benefits on a yearly basis. Benefits were guaranteed for that year.
In 1992, we secured the same state-paid health benefits for ESP and higher ed members.
In 1997, we secured a legal “lock” (a contractual right) on members’ pensions.
And in 2007, in a political climate openly hostile to public employees’ pensions and health benefits, NJEA will soon secure a legal guarantee to premium-free retiree health benefits for all members. Once this legislation is passed, the state, regardless of its fiscal health, can never renege on our retirees’ health benefits.
Earlier today, S-3004/A-5005, which guarantees public school employees’ post-retirement medical benefits, unanimously passed from committees in both houses of the legislature. The legislation is expected to pass, and Governor Corzine is expected to sign the legislation soon.
As you know, the new health plan will be a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) with an extensive, national network of doctors. An appointment with a doctor would cost $10 dollars. In the event that a non-network doctor or facility is needed, members will still have access to the doctor or facility of their choice without a gate-keeper. If they choose an out-of-network doctor, their co-pay would be 80/20, although the out-of-pocket maximums will increase for out-of-network services.
In addition, the plan will be governed by a new independent body of nine individuals, with NJEA having a significant voice on the board. The board will be comprised of the State Treasurer, the Commissioner of the Department of Banking and Insurance, a member appointed by the Governor, a member appointed by the Governor from among three persons nominated by the New Jersey School Boards’ Association, three members appointed by the Governor from among five persons nominated by the New Jersey Education Association, a member appointed by the Governor from among three persons nominated by the education section of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, and a member appointed by the governor with agreement from NJEA who shall be the chairperson.
Most importantly, the legislation guarantees that there will be no premium sharing for retirees now or in the future, a guarantee similar to the “lock” that school employees now have on their pensions.
Also as a result of this legislation, the uniformity clause that now requires all local governing bodies, including school districts that are in the State Health Benefits Plan, to receive the same level of benefits as state employees, would no longer apply. Consequently, it prevents school employees’ health benefits from being bargained by other unions.
The option for a district not to participate in the state plan will remain as it is now. A district that now has a private plan could remain in that plan.
S-3004/A-5005 also includes changes to the pension system and the State Investment Council that we have discussed previously.
As soon as possible, information about the legislation and the plan will be available on www.njea.org.
In 1988, NJEA secured state-paid health benefits for teacher retirees. The state budgeted money for these benefits on a yearly basis. Benefits were guaranteed for that year.
In 1992, we secured the same state-paid health benefits for ESP and higher ed members.
In 1997, we secured a legal “lock” (a contractual right) on members’ pensions.
And in 2007, in a political climate openly hostile to public employees’ pensions and health benefits, NJEA will soon secure a legal guarantee to premium-free retiree health benefits for all members. Once this legislation is passed, the state, regardless of its fiscal health, can never renege on our retirees’ health benefits.
Earlier today, S-3004/A-5005, which guarantees public school employees’ post-retirement medical benefits, unanimously passed from committees in both houses of the legislature. The legislation is expected to pass, and Governor Corzine is expected to sign the legislation soon.
As you know, the new health plan will be a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) with an extensive, national network of doctors. An appointment with a doctor would cost $10 dollars. In the event that a non-network doctor or facility is needed, members will still have access to the doctor or facility of their choice without a gate-keeper. If they choose an out-of-network doctor, their co-pay would be 80/20, although the out-of-pocket maximums will increase for out-of-network services.
In addition, the plan will be governed by a new independent body of nine individuals, with NJEA having a significant voice on the board. The board will be comprised of the State Treasurer, the Commissioner of the Department of Banking and Insurance, a member appointed by the Governor, a member appointed by the Governor from among three persons nominated by the New Jersey School Boards’ Association, three members appointed by the Governor from among five persons nominated by the New Jersey Education Association, a member appointed by the Governor from among three persons nominated by the education section of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, and a member appointed by the governor with agreement from NJEA who shall be the chairperson.
Most importantly, the legislation guarantees that there will be no premium sharing for retirees now or in the future, a guarantee similar to the “lock” that school employees now have on their pensions.
Also as a result of this legislation, the uniformity clause that now requires all local governing bodies, including school districts that are in the State Health Benefits Plan, to receive the same level of benefits as state employees, would no longer apply. Consequently, it prevents school employees’ health benefits from being bargained by other unions.
The option for a district not to participate in the state plan will remain as it is now. A district that now has a private plan could remain in that plan.
S-3004/A-5005 also includes changes to the pension system and the State Investment Council that we have discussed previously.
As soon as possible, information about the legislation and the plan will be available on www.njea.org.
SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE SPARKS SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
This year's Summer Leadership Conference program includes a first-ever scholarship program for Sparks. The five-day pilot program runs throughout Workshop I and II, beginning on August 4 and concluding on August 8.
During Workshop I, attendees will participate in the highly successful Sparks program, where they get to explore a variety of advocacy and leadership roles. This unique five-day program will then give the participants an opportunity to receive "on-the-job" training by attending one of a selected group of seminars during Workshop II.
At this point, the enrollment is low, and we are asking for your assistance in reaching out to your members to see who might be interested in this all-expense paid training opportunity.
A description of the program, as well as the information needed, is in the SLC brochure. Due to the late date, the interested member can either fax or email the information to Toni Boyle at UniServ HQ -- since the rooms can only be held for a short amount of time, we are asking for all participants to submit their information no later than Friday, June 22.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please let us know.
Thanks for your assistance in helping to make this pilot program a success.
During Workshop I, attendees will participate in the highly successful Sparks program, where they get to explore a variety of advocacy and leadership roles. This unique five-day program will then give the participants an opportunity to receive "on-the-job" training by attending one of a selected group of seminars during Workshop II.
At this point, the enrollment is low, and we are asking for your assistance in reaching out to your members to see who might be interested in this all-expense paid training opportunity.
A description of the program, as well as the information needed, is in the SLC brochure. Due to the late date, the interested member can either fax or email the information to Toni Boyle at UniServ HQ -- since the rooms can only be held for a short amount of time, we are asking for all participants to submit their information no later than Friday, June 22.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please let us know.
Thanks for your assistance in helping to make this pilot program a success.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Update on PRIDE
Many thanks to our Communications Division for all of their efforts – we just recently got the promotional items catalog and it’s already on the web. (For those locals that just can’t wait!) For PRIDE forms and information, simply click on "PRIDE Forms" on the right and enter your NJEA password and pin.
We hope to start approving next year’s projects sometime in July. Remember, proposals are due in this office no later than 60 days prior to your first project; however, we recommend that you get your proposals to us sooner, rather than later.
We applaude all of you who already participate in the PRIDE program. If you would like to participate, but just don't know where to start, contact the Region 3 office, and we'll be happy to provide you with assistance.
We wish you all a safe and relaxing summer.
We hope to start approving next year’s projects sometime in July. Remember, proposals are due in this office no later than 60 days prior to your first project; however, we recommend that you get your proposals to us sooner, rather than later.
We applaude all of you who already participate in the PRIDE program. If you would like to participate, but just don't know where to start, contact the Region 3 office, and we'll be happy to provide you with assistance.
We wish you all a safe and relaxing summer.
Friday, April 27, 2007
ORGANIZE NOW FOR PAC
Now that school board elections are over, the UniServ office reminds all local presidents and LAT chairs that our PAC organizing campaign is well under way. Many of you have already met with either your UniServ rep or a consultant on this organizing campaign. As of yesterday's date, Trenton indicates that we have only increased our PAC contributors by three new contributing members. Gail and I would like to strongly urge you to do everything you can to get members to contribute to PAC. If you currently have PAC forms filled out, please send in what you have. Do not hold these while waiting for additional forms.
If you have already submitted forms to Trenton, please email us. If you need any further assistance from this office, please contact us immediately so that we can help you with this important organizing event.
If you have already submitted forms to Trenton, please email us. If you need any further assistance from this office, please contact us immediately so that we can help you with this important organizing event.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
2007 Summer Leadership Conference Mailing
A set of Summer Leadership Conference registration materials was recently mailed to you.
You may have already received these same SLC materials in an envelope with an incorrect name on the mailing label. This was due to a glitch in our computer system and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you have questions, please contact Toni Boyle at 609-599-4561, ext. 2232, or email aboyle@njea.org.
You may have already received these same SLC materials in an envelope with an incorrect name on the mailing label. This was due to a glitch in our computer system and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you have questions, please contact Toni Boyle at 609-599-4561, ext. 2232, or email aboyle@njea.org.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
NJEA REACHES AGREEMENT ON PENSIONS AND BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS
We would like to confirm that newspaper reports saying that NJEA has reached an agreement with the governor on key changes to members’ pensions and benefits are accurate. We'd like to share the details of that agreement with you. You will receive an email with this same information from NJEA officers shortly. Please refer to www.njea.org and use your member password for further details.
Monday, January 29, 2007
URGENT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
At 4 pm on Friday afternoon, NJEA learned that by the end of the day, the Assembly was going to introduce a bad piece of legislation that will cap tax levies. To make matters worse (if that seems possible) the Assembly plans to vote on it on Monday afternoon. The Senate will introduce their version on Monday and is planning to put it up for a vote on February 5th. This legislation has the potential to have devistating and far-reaching impact on the collective bargaining process.
We have put an alert on the NJEA website, updated the Cyberlobbying Legislative Action Center with a pre-written message for members to e-mail the Governor and their legislators, and sent out a “Cyberlobbee News” to 65,000 members.
As always…. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please do your best to get this information out to your members. We need to put the pressure on by this afternoon. Perhaps you may want to have a quick cyberlobby activity immediately at the end of your workday. Click on njea.org at the right of the blog and then click on Cyberlobbying.
Many thanks for your support and your cooperation.
We have put an alert on the NJEA website, updated the Cyberlobbying Legislative Action Center with a pre-written message for members to e-mail the Governor and their legislators, and sent out a “Cyberlobbee News” to 65,000 members.
As always…. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please do your best to get this information out to your members. We need to put the pressure on by this afternoon. Perhaps you may want to have a quick cyberlobby activity immediately at the end of your workday. Click on njea.org at the right of the blog and then click on Cyberlobbying.
Many thanks for your support and your cooperation.
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