Recently, the N.J. Department of Education announced that it will launch a grant program to have selected districts pilot the evaluation proposals of Gov. Christie’s Educator Effectiveness Task Force, beginning in September. District superintendents have been asked to reach out to educators and other stakeholders to discuss the possibility of participating in the pilot program.
To date, very little information about the pilot has been provided. Most importantly, we do not know what impact it would have on members in the pilot districts. It is also unclear what additional standardized testing districts would be required to implement and how the new evaluation system would affect teaching and learning.
Because of the uncertainty and lack of information, at this time NJEA recommends that local associations not volunteer to participate in the pilot program. While it is not clear that local association sign off will be necessary for a district to participate, we recommend that local leaders wait until more information is available from the Department of Education before adding their endorsement to any district’s application.
Please contact your local presidents and ask them to alert you if they are approached about participating in the pilot program.
We expect more information to be available this summer, some time prior to an anticipated August deadline to apply for the pilot program. As more information is available, NJEA will analyze it and update this advice as appropriate.
In the meantime, we recommend that any local leader who is approached to discuss proposed changes to teacher evaluation should share NJEA’s evaluation proposal, “Establishing a Strong Evaluation System,” which presents best practices in teacher evaluation and provides a helpful contrast to the Governor’s deeply flawed proposal.
Friday, June 03, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
SICK LEAVE CAP
SICK LEAVE CAP
Last fall, the first bill in the Governor’s “toolkit” was sent to his desk for consideration. The legislation S-2220 (Sarlo, Lampitt, Albano, Casagrande, Moriarty) called for a limit on unused sick leave pay and vacation leave at $15,000 at the expiration of a current contract.
While NJEA strongly opposed the legislation, we did achieve a series of favorable amendments to protect current employees.
On December 15, 2010, the Governor conditionally vetoed the legislation strictly limiting payouts to school employees for accrued sick and vacation days. The lead sponsor, Senator Paul Sarlo (D-LD36) immediately announced “I do not intend to revisit the sick leave bill.” Sarlo continued in a December 16, 2010 press statement, “the bill received bi-partisan support and there was consensus from all involved including (organized) labor. The administration never opposed this bill during the legislative process and it appears they are opposing it now—just for the sake of arguing with the legislators.”
However, that was then and this is now.
Last week, unannounced to anyone in organized labor, Senator Sarlo met with the Governor’s Office and offered to move the conditional veto and reduce the sick and vacation accrued value from $15,000 to $7,500. Concurrent to these discussions, the Assembly sponsors (Lampitt (D-LD6), Albano (D-LD1), Casagrande (R-LD12) and Moriarty (D-LD4) have reintroduced A-3953 (attached) with all the newly negotiated issues included in this version. An analysis by NJEA attorneys is also attached for your information. Currently, there is no Senate companion bill to A-3953 but we can expect one soon.
Since the state budget trumps all current legislative negotiations between now and June 30—we expect discussions on sick leave caps to be included in a package of bills extending from healthcare and pensions to educational reform.
MEMEBERS NEED TO ACT NOW! PLEASE CALL/EMAIL:
SENATOR Paul Sarlo, D
Fleet Bank Building, 2nd Fl
207 Hackensack Street
Wood-Ridge 07075
201-804-8118; 201-804-8644 FAXSenSarlo@njleg.org e-mail address
ASSEMBLYWOMAN Pamela R. Lampitt, D
1101 Laurel Oak Rd., Suite 150Voorhees 08043
856-435-1247; 856-435-3849 FAX
AswLampitt@njleg.org e-mail address
Tell them not to post S-2220 or A-3953 with any changes which reduce the accrued value from $15,000 to $7,500 and not to agree to the conditions set forth in the Governor’s conditional veto message.
Any questions, please contact Wayne Dibofsky wdibofsky@njea.org.
Last fall, the first bill in the Governor’s “toolkit” was sent to his desk for consideration. The legislation S-2220 (Sarlo, Lampitt, Albano, Casagrande, Moriarty) called for a limit on unused sick leave pay and vacation leave at $15,000 at the expiration of a current contract.
While NJEA strongly opposed the legislation, we did achieve a series of favorable amendments to protect current employees.
On December 15, 2010, the Governor conditionally vetoed the legislation strictly limiting payouts to school employees for accrued sick and vacation days. The lead sponsor, Senator Paul Sarlo (D-LD36) immediately announced “I do not intend to revisit the sick leave bill.” Sarlo continued in a December 16, 2010 press statement, “the bill received bi-partisan support and there was consensus from all involved including (organized) labor. The administration never opposed this bill during the legislative process and it appears they are opposing it now—just for the sake of arguing with the legislators.”
However, that was then and this is now.
Last week, unannounced to anyone in organized labor, Senator Sarlo met with the Governor’s Office and offered to move the conditional veto and reduce the sick and vacation accrued value from $15,000 to $7,500. Concurrent to these discussions, the Assembly sponsors (Lampitt (D-LD6), Albano (D-LD1), Casagrande (R-LD12) and Moriarty (D-LD4) have reintroduced A-3953 (attached) with all the newly negotiated issues included in this version. An analysis by NJEA attorneys is also attached for your information. Currently, there is no Senate companion bill to A-3953 but we can expect one soon.
Since the state budget trumps all current legislative negotiations between now and June 30—we expect discussions on sick leave caps to be included in a package of bills extending from healthcare and pensions to educational reform.
MEMEBERS NEED TO ACT NOW! PLEASE CALL/EMAIL:
SENATOR Paul Sarlo, D
Fleet Bank Building, 2nd Fl
207 Hackensack Street
Wood-Ridge 07075
201-804-8118; 201-804-8644 FAXSenSarlo@njleg.org e-mail address
ASSEMBLYWOMAN Pamela R. Lampitt, D
1101 Laurel Oak Rd., Suite 150Voorhees 08043
856-435-1247; 856-435-3849 FAX
AswLampitt@njleg.org e-mail address
Tell them not to post S-2220 or A-3953 with any changes which reduce the accrued value from $15,000 to $7,500 and not to agree to the conditions set forth in the Governor’s conditional veto message.
Any questions, please contact Wayne Dibofsky wdibofsky@njea.org.
Monday, January 31, 2011
VOUCHER BILL ON THE MOVE
Take action now to defend public education!
On January 20, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee voted to release S-1872, a private school voucher bill known to supporters as the Opportunity Scholarship Act. This bill would divert up to $1 billion in tax revenue away from public schools and into the hands of private and parochial school operators.
Now comes word that the assembly version (A-2810) is scheduled to be heard on February 3 in the Commerce and Economic Development Committee. Should it pass that committee, only the Assembly Budget Committee stands between this bad bill and possible votes by the entire senate and assembly.
Time is short. NJEA members, and all those who support public education in New Jersey, must act now to stop this harmful legislation which drains much-needed resources from our public schools.
Please plan and carry out face-to-face actions against this legislation. We ask you do the following:
· Identify at least (5) people that are committed to contacting senators and
assembly members to voice their opposition to these bills before February
3rd.
· Identify at least (2) people that will visit the offices of Pamela Lampitt,
Angel Fuentes, Domenick DiCicco, Stephan Sweeney before February 3rd.
· Identify the date, time, and place you will meet with your members to
provide this voucher update before February 2nd.
· Identify other interactive organizing activities the local will implement
between Feb 1st and February 16th to get the message out into the
community, that they must notify legislators to oppose spending public
funds to private schools.
Associations may want to use breakfast meetings, legislative lunches, or any other creative activity. We recommend phone calls and written letters. It appears the emails are not getting read. When writing, urge legislators to call you to discuss the issue directly, or ask that they reply in writing.
This is a perfect organizing activity to do with parents, friends, family, and neighbors. Every member in every local must be involved to block the efforts of legislators. Go to njea.org for detailed information and up-to-date breaking issues.
Feel free to contact the UniServ office if you need talking points or any other assistance. Let us know what you are doing in your association.
On January 20, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee voted to release S-1872, a private school voucher bill known to supporters as the Opportunity Scholarship Act. This bill would divert up to $1 billion in tax revenue away from public schools and into the hands of private and parochial school operators.
Now comes word that the assembly version (A-2810) is scheduled to be heard on February 3 in the Commerce and Economic Development Committee. Should it pass that committee, only the Assembly Budget Committee stands between this bad bill and possible votes by the entire senate and assembly.
Time is short. NJEA members, and all those who support public education in New Jersey, must act now to stop this harmful legislation which drains much-needed resources from our public schools.
Please plan and carry out face-to-face actions against this legislation. We ask you do the following:
· Identify at least (5) people that are committed to contacting senators and
assembly members to voice their opposition to these bills before February
3rd.
· Identify at least (2) people that will visit the offices of Pamela Lampitt,
Angel Fuentes, Domenick DiCicco, Stephan Sweeney before February 3rd.
· Identify the date, time, and place you will meet with your members to
provide this voucher update before February 2nd.
· Identify other interactive organizing activities the local will implement
between Feb 1st and February 16th to get the message out into the
community, that they must notify legislators to oppose spending public
funds to private schools.
Associations may want to use breakfast meetings, legislative lunches, or any other creative activity. We recommend phone calls and written letters. It appears the emails are not getting read. When writing, urge legislators to call you to discuss the issue directly, or ask that they reply in writing.
This is a perfect organizing activity to do with parents, friends, family, and neighbors. Every member in every local must be involved to block the efforts of legislators. Go to njea.org for detailed information and up-to-date breaking issues.
Feel free to contact the UniServ office if you need talking points or any other assistance. Let us know what you are doing in your association.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
We just received word from our GR person, Fran Pfeffer, that Jim Beach is very interested in hearing how our members feel about the voucher bill. He indicated that he could be persuaded if he hears from enough NJEA members. Presidents are encouraged to utilize their local communications system and ask each of your members to contact Senator Beach. His contact information is below. We expect that the vote will be taken tomorrow.
856-429-1572
SenBeach@njleg.org
Tell him:
This voucher scheme would drain up to a billion tax dollars from the state at a time when we are cutting education funding and other critical programs.
856-429-1572
SenBeach@njleg.org
Tell him:
This voucher scheme would drain up to a billion tax dollars from the state at a time when we are cutting education funding and other critical programs.
- Please oppose S-1872/A-2810.
- No more bailouts. We need to focus our resources on highly accountable public schools, not send money to subsidize struggling private schools with no meaningful accountability.
- Public education is our future - we should be investing in it, not destroying it.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
LEGISLATIVE ALERT!!!
Legislative Alert: The Opportunity Scholarship Act S-1872 (voucher bill) will be considered in committee on January 20. S-1872 is bad policy and must be OPPOSED. It would strip $360 million in tax dollars from public schools already facing deep budget cuts, and give that money to unaccountable private and religious schools, while doing nothing to improve New Jersey public schools in need of assitance and support.
TO DO: Contact Senator James Beach (D-6) 856-429-1572 to oppose S-1872 for the reasons above.
WHEN CONTACTING HIM: Encourage him to stand up for public schools.
Stay tuned to http://www.njea.org/ and your email for up to the minute information.
TO DO: Contact Senator James Beach (D-6) 856-429-1572 to oppose S-1872 for the reasons above.
WHEN CONTACTING HIM: Encourage him to stand up for public schools.
Stay tuned to http://www.njea.org/ and your email for up to the minute information.
Monday, January 10, 2011
LAT Meeting CANCELED - Tuesday, Jan. 11
Due to the forecasted snow for Tuesday, January 11, 2011 into Wednesday, January 12, 2011, we have decided to cancel and reschedule the Legislative Action Team Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 4:30 p.m., at the CCCEA Office. We will notify you when a date has been chosen to reschedule. Please pass this information on to any member who was signed up to attend.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
UNISERV ALERT!
The UniServ office is expecting a message to leaders/members which deals with urgent legislative issues which we believe will be addressed tomorrow by Sweeney and by the Governor on January 11th during the State of the Union address. Please monitor your email throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening since these initiatives have the potential to be damaging. The message will require members and leaders to contact their legislators immediately.
We'll keep you updated.
We'll keep you updated.
Friday, December 17, 2010
FIRST RRT MEETING OF THE NEW YEAR
Please pass this on to your members. We are looking for the RRT chairs to attend. There is safe parking available. If you have any further questions, contact Nancy Holmes, Region 3, at 856-782-1225. Details are below.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Camden Conference Center Theater
Camden County College
601 Cooper St.
Camden, NJ 08102
For more info contact:
Janice Rael
Vice-President
vice@dvau.org
856-881-1816
www.dvau.org
Americans United is the only national organization that devotes one-hundred percent of its time and resources to church/state separation. Through education and advocacy, Americans United works to preserve religious liberty, and freedom of conscience as guaranteed by our Constitution .
THE DELAWARE VALLEY CHAPTER OF
AMERICANS UNITED
FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
Panel Discussion: "School Vouchers: Win, or Woe? What to Watch for With NJ's Tuition Tax Credit Bills"
With: Frank Corrado, Esq., President, ACLU-NJ; Dr Lauren Hill, Ed.D., Project Director, Education Law Center; Adrienne Sanders, Education Chair, NJ NAACP; Mr. Derrell Bradford, Excellent Education for Everyone; Dr Walter Farrell, University of North Carolina; and Dr. Ed Joyce, President, Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State
The South Jersey Committee of the Delaware Valley Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will host a panel discussion about the pros and cons of school vouchers and NJ's tuition tax credit bills known as the "Opportunity Scholarship Act," NJ S1872/A2810. The panelists represent groups with differing views on school vouchers. Each panelist will make a brief statement, followed by audience participation, responding to questions about the voucher controversy.
This meeting is free and open to the public, and wheelchair-accessible. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Cookies, coffee and tea will be served.
Free, Secure Parking Available on Site.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
518 C Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 466-3234 www.au.org americansunited@au.org
Thursday, January 6, 2011
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Camden Conference Center Theater
Camden County College
601 Cooper St.
Camden, NJ 08102
For more info contact:
Janice Rael
Vice-President
vice@dvau.org
856-881-1816
www.dvau.org
Americans United is the only national organization that devotes one-hundred percent of its time and resources to church/state separation. Through education and advocacy, Americans United works to preserve religious liberty, and freedom of conscience as guaranteed by our Constitution .
THE DELAWARE VALLEY CHAPTER OF
AMERICANS UNITED
FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
Panel Discussion: "School Vouchers: Win, or Woe? What to Watch for With NJ's Tuition Tax Credit Bills"
With: Frank Corrado, Esq., President, ACLU-NJ; Dr Lauren Hill, Ed.D., Project Director, Education Law Center; Adrienne Sanders, Education Chair, NJ NAACP; Mr. Derrell Bradford, Excellent Education for Everyone; Dr Walter Farrell, University of North Carolina; and Dr. Ed Joyce, President, Delaware Valley Chapter, Americans United for Separation of Church and State
The South Jersey Committee of the Delaware Valley Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will host a panel discussion about the pros and cons of school vouchers and NJ's tuition tax credit bills known as the "Opportunity Scholarship Act," NJ S1872/A2810. The panelists represent groups with differing views on school vouchers. Each panelist will make a brief statement, followed by audience participation, responding to questions about the voucher controversy.
This meeting is free and open to the public, and wheelchair-accessible. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Cookies, coffee and tea will be served.
Free, Secure Parking Available on Site.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
518 C Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 466-3234 www.au.org americansunited@au.org
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
HOLIDAY REQUEST FROM USO
Bellmawr Education Association President, Regina Andrews-Collette, asked us to share this with you. During this holiday season, she asked if any of you or your members could spare time or spread a little good will. You may want to help her out with the following USO project. It is a gift wrapping fund raiser.
Each year, the Philadelphia Airport retail stores offer free gift wrapping on items purchased in the airport. USO volunteers do the actual gift wrapping. This program runs from December 1 - 24, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. This year, there will be two locations; the usual one in the B/C food court and the other at the D/E retail area. Although this is a substantial fundraiser for them, we are reaching out to outside groups for assistance. The gift wrapping shifts will run from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.; 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.; and 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
If you or any of your members would like to help out, please contact Regina directly at reginaac@live.com.
Each year, the Philadelphia Airport retail stores offer free gift wrapping on items purchased in the airport. USO volunteers do the actual gift wrapping. This program runs from December 1 - 24, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. This year, there will be two locations; the usual one in the B/C food court and the other at the D/E retail area. Although this is a substantial fundraiser for them, we are reaching out to outside groups for assistance. The gift wrapping shifts will run from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.; 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.; and 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
If you or any of your members would like to help out, please contact Regina directly at reginaac@live.com.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
PRIVATIZATION WORKSHOP
Organizing the Offense: Fighting Privatization
This workshop is designed to address the mounting trend to privatize the jobs of public school employees. Learn how your local can be trained and prepared to recognize the engaging threats of privatization. Identify the collective action steps to take when privatizing already exists in your school district. Bring and build your team of organizers to fight against the privatization of your members’ jobs.
Date: Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Registration and light supper
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Program
Place: CCCEA Office, 2 Sheppard Road, Ste. 700,
Voorhees 08043
RSVP: Your name and local association to Gale Quinn at gquinn@njea.org or call the Region 3 office at 856-782-1225 as soon as possible and no later than Wednesday, December 22.
This workshop is designed to address the mounting trend to privatize the jobs of public school employees. Learn how your local can be trained and prepared to recognize the engaging threats of privatization. Identify the collective action steps to take when privatizing already exists in your school district. Bring and build your team of organizers to fight against the privatization of your members’ jobs.
Date: Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Registration and light supper
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Program
Place: CCCEA Office, 2 Sheppard Road, Ste. 700,
Voorhees 08043
RSVP: Your name and local association to Gale Quinn at gquinn@njea.org or call the Region 3 office at 856-782-1225 as soon as possible and no later than Wednesday, December 22.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
URGENT MEETING REGARDING TENURE REFORM
We have just returned from NJEA headquarters, where all reps were called together. As you know, one of several bills before the legislature is a tenure reform bill. That bill is moving quickly, and the leaders of NJEA are feeling much pressure to respond to that piece of legislation. As such, NJEA headquarters has asked each regional office to reach out to presidents to explain the direction we are going with this reform.
We know that this is extremely short notice, but as the last series of bills showed, things have a way of moving quickly. The UniServ field reps would like all local presidents to attend an important meeting on Thursday, October 28, at the county office. The meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will last no more than one hour. If you are not able to attend this meeting, please send a dependable designee that you feel could report accurately back to you and your members on this most important issue. RSVP to Gale Quinn at gquinn@njea.org or call 856-782-1225. We look forward to seeing each of you and apologize for this short notice.
We know that this is extremely short notice, but as the last series of bills showed, things have a way of moving quickly. The UniServ field reps would like all local presidents to attend an important meeting on Thursday, October 28, at the county office. The meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will last no more than one hour. If you are not able to attend this meeting, please send a dependable designee that you feel could report accurately back to you and your members on this most important issue. RSVP to Gale Quinn at gquinn@njea.org or call 856-782-1225. We look forward to seeing each of you and apologize for this short notice.
Monday, October 25, 2010
CONSTRUCTION NEAR CCCEA OFFICE
Please be aware that due to construction on Centennial Boulevard, between Cooper Road and Rt. 561, the road may be closed during business hours starting Tuesday, October 26, 2010 until an undetermined date. Please be prepared to detour using Evesham Road.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
RALLY FOR LAWNSIDE EA- October 20
Lawnside EA needs your help. They have been working without a contract for nearly two years and are meeting with the Board on October 20. Please bring along your family and friends and rally for our members at Lawnside outside the Board office at 6 p.m. on October 20. Light refreshments will be available. RSVP to Roxanne Hawkins at rhawkins@njea.org with the number of people who will go to support our friends from Lawnside.
SAVE THE DATE!!!
Mark your calendars for November 30 for Camden County's Member Fair!
Details will be posted soon.
Details will be posted soon.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Update on RTTT Applications
As per the memo you received yesterday from NJEA President Barbara Keshishian, please send a letter to your superintendent notifying them that your association is withdrawing its support from the RTTT application. Let your superintendent know this comes as a result of the Governor’s failure to honor the Memorandum of Agreement struck between Commissioner Schundler and NJEA on Thursday. It is imperative that you copy this office so that we are able to track and record, in a formal manner, your positions on the RTTT application. Since applications were due today, please make sure these letters get out as soon as possible.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
HOLD THE DATE!!!
Important message from Barbara Keshishian & Vince Giordano:
Hold the date!
Citizens Rally for a Just Budget
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Statehouse in Trenton
Times and other details to follow.
Please begin organizing your members to attend this rally.
Hold the date!
Citizens Rally for a Just Budget
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Statehouse in Trenton
Times and other details to follow.
Please begin organizing your members to attend this rally.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
CWA RALLY - APRIL 13
CWA is conducting town hall meetings with legislators and have requested our participation. As such, CWA is asking for our assistance in a showing of support for similar issues that are being felt by NJEA members. This event will take place outside of the location listed below. It is their form of legislative dinners. We realize that Region 3 local presidents will be meeting with their field reps, however, do what you can do to get your LAT Committees to attend. Just as a reminder, CWA members marched shoulder to shoulder with us during our Freeholder rally last spring. Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated. Contact Gale Quinn at gquinn@njea.org with names of members willing to attend this rally.
Here are the details of the scheduled town hall meeting with
legislators:
CHERRY HILL, APRIL 13, 6 p.m., Cherry Hill Holiday Inn, 2175 West Marlton
Pike, Cherry Hill
Here are the details of the scheduled town hall meeting with
legislators:
CHERRY HILL, APRIL 13, 6 p.m., Cherry Hill Holiday Inn, 2175 West Marlton
Pike, Cherry Hill
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
FAKE NJEA WEBSITE
On March 27, a website name was registered using a variant of our NJEA.org website name. On March 28, a hostile disinformation site went up using the “spoofed” website name. The purpose of this anti-NJEA website, which incorporates our name and trademarks, is to post radically anti-public education messages and falsehoods about NJEA and NEA. The site advertised itself on Google in order to draw traffic by pretending to be a pro-education, anti-Christie site. The purpose was obviously to draw unsuspecting members and supporters to see a negative message in order to drive a wedge between them and NJEA. It featured, among other things, a made-up set of talking points from an imaginary NJEA spokesman urging members to "use children" to advance their own cause.
The site was registered anonymously, in order to make it more difficult to track the site operator. Since yesterday morning, we have succeeded in forcing Google to stop others from using NJEA trademarked materials in advertisements. The site is still online, in a different format, and it is still using "NJEA" in its name. We continue to pursue all avenues to force the site operator to stop using NJEA’s name or any images which would mislead the public into believing that it is affiliated in any way with NJEA. We are pursuing available legal recourse against the site operator.
We are intentionally not providing a link to the site because we do not wish to drive any additional traffic or attention to it, which might grant it an appearance of legitimacy. However, we wanted to make you aware of it in case you get questions from members, or hear about it from other sources. It also serves as a warning to everyone who operates a website to be careful about what else is available online. If the opponents of public education are willing to stoop to this level of dishonesty, we should expect that there are likely to be more dirty tricks of this type. Be alert, and if you see anything suspicious online, please let NJEA know immediately.
The site was registered anonymously, in order to make it more difficult to track the site operator. Since yesterday morning, we have succeeded in forcing Google to stop others from using NJEA trademarked materials in advertisements. The site is still online, in a different format, and it is still using "NJEA" in its name. We continue to pursue all avenues to force the site operator to stop using NJEA’s name or any images which would mislead the public into believing that it is affiliated in any way with NJEA. We are pursuing available legal recourse against the site operator.
We are intentionally not providing a link to the site because we do not wish to drive any additional traffic or attention to it, which might grant it an appearance of legitimacy. However, we wanted to make you aware of it in case you get questions from members, or hear about it from other sources. It also serves as a warning to everyone who operates a website to be careful about what else is available online. If the opponents of public education are willing to stoop to this level of dishonesty, we should expect that there are likely to be more dirty tricks of this type. Be alert, and if you see anything suspicious online, please let NJEA know immediately.
Monday, March 29, 2010
POSSIBLE PERSONAL CALLS FROM THE GOVERNOR
As some of you may already know, we have received a report that a representative from the Governor’s office is calling local presidents DIRECTLY. These calls seem to be random. We are recommending the following response for you to say should you receive a call:
1. Thank you for your call.
2. Please tell the governor he may be surprised to know that my members
already pay towards their health coverage.
3. Even if we agree to freeze wages he has cut so much that layoffs are
unavoidable.
4. We have great schools here. I represent really terrific people and he has
demonized them beyond repair.
5. My local will consider your request very carefully.
We are sending this information quickly and have not had time to confirm the identity of the caller.
If you receive one of these phone calls, it would be helpful if you would kindly contact the UniServ office to let us know. This may help in identifying any pattern or assist us in identifying the caller.
As always, thank you so much for all that you do on behalf of your members.
1. Thank you for your call.
2. Please tell the governor he may be surprised to know that my members
already pay towards their health coverage.
3. Even if we agree to freeze wages he has cut so much that layoffs are
unavoidable.
4. We have great schools here. I represent really terrific people and he has
demonized them beyond repair.
5. My local will consider your request very carefully.
We are sending this information quickly and have not had time to confirm the identity of the caller.
If you receive one of these phone calls, it would be helpful if you would kindly contact the UniServ office to let us know. This may help in identifying any pattern or assist us in identifying the caller.
As always, thank you so much for all that you do on behalf of your members.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
STATEWIDE PRESIDENTS' MEETING - MARCH 18, 2010
As you know, an urgent meeting has been called for all local presidents Statewide on Thursday, March 18 at the East Brunswick Hilton. This meeting will begin promptly at 6:45 p.m. It is crucial that you make this your utmost priority.
Please RSVP to your UniServ office ASAP and no later than Friday, March 12, so that we can determine the number of buses that will be needed. Details will be sent to you early next week regarding transportation.
Additionally, we are asking every local president to do the following:
Please RSVP to your UniServ office ASAP and no later than Friday, March 12, so that we can determine the number of buses that will be needed. Details will be sent to you early next week regarding transportation.
Additionally, we are asking every local president to do the following:
- Every local president calls to schedule a meeting with their legislators. No response? Then call again.
- Every local association put activities in place for members to call, write, fax, and email their legislators.
- Encourage members to sign up for the legislative dinner on March 25.
The message is simple. The issues before you, as a legislator, are important and deserve careful scrutiny and research. We are asking members of the assembly to support the principles of collective bargaining.
Consultants will be contacting each local president at the end of the week for a report as to what was done regarding the bulleted directives. Presidents who fail to respond to our consultants will receive a personal phone call from their UniServ office as to why an association would fail to carry out these directives.
Any president who needs assistance should contact their UniServ rep for additional help. We strongly urge you and your members to monitor njea.org to keep abreast of the issues. This site changes almost daily.
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