Dear AAUP-BHSNJ Faculty,

Now is a critical time for our sister union, the Rutgers AAUP-AFT. It represents more than 4,800 full-time faculty and graduate students who work mostly on non-RBHS campuses. They are on the verge of going on strike for the first time in 253 years. For many months, a recalcitrant Rutgers administration denied their proposals that would close gender pay gaps, create greater job security for non-tenure track faculty, and improve diversity on campuses. The outcome of this negotiation is also important to us in in that our agreement contains many of the same articles as the Rutgers AAUP-AFT agreement. Quite simply, a strong Rutgers AAUP-AFT contract will set the stage for an equally strong AAUP-BHNSJ contract. For this reason, both of our unions have been attending one another’s negotiations and jointly coordinating strategy for almost a year.

To show our solidarity with our AAUP-AFT colleagues, our governing board, the AAUP-BHSNJ Council, voted to make a financial contribution to the AAUP-AFT campaign.

In addition, there are several ways that you can show your support. These include:

• - Educate yourself and your colleagues on their issues. See http://equitysecuritydignity.org/ for details
• Wear a campaign button. Contact membership@aaupbhsnj.org or 201-686-9289
• Honor the Rutgers AAUP-AFT picket line. In the event that you co-teach or collaborate with a legacy Rutgers faculty member who is on strike, please check with him or her before scheduling a class or a meeting. If you attend meetings on non-RBHS campuses, please refrain from attending them during the strike. Finally, if you have time and would like to walk a picket line, please call 201-686-9289. - If you work in the School of Nursing, you will receive a special communication concerning strike efforts. (Faculty nembers of our union work side-by-side with Rutgers AAUP-AFT faculty.)
• If you work in the School of Nursing, you will receive a special communication concerning strike efforts. (Faculty nembers of our union work side-by-side with Rutgers AAUP-AFT faculty.)

We sincerely hope that a strike is avoided. In the event that one occurs, we stand united.

Sincerely,

President, AAUP-BHSNJ Council of Chapters