Greetings,

The AAUP-AFT’s position has been, and remains, that the university administration should not implement budget cuts or staff layoffs on July 1. 

The AAUP-AFT has proposed a delay in implementation of the July 1 faculty salary increases until September 1 so that cuts and layoffs that are budget related will not be acted upon July 1. 

The AAUP-AFT expects promotion increases to be paid in July. 

The AAUP-AFT’s position is that TA/GA increases should be paid in July. 

The state of New Jersey funds 25% of the Rutgers budget. Governor Corzine has restored the cut to Rutgers in his proposed budget. That means that the full 25% will be funded. The $15.4 million restoration is directly connected to the state’s ability to use federal stimulus money. 

The AAUP-AFT negotiates contracts with the Rutgers administration. We always enter into negotiations in good faith and with the uncertainty of the subsequent years’ funding by the state. In most years there is no salary funding in the state budget, so there is never a funding expectation when we enter into contractual agreements. 

Dean Greenberg’s blanket denial of 100% sabbaticals for tenured faculty violates the union contract. The AAUP-AFT has filed a grievance.

Dean Greenberg’s unilateral increase in workload for tenured faculty must be negotiated with the union. The AAUP-AFT has demanded negotiations and we are working out logistics with the university administration.

With the restoration of state funding to Rutgers, the dean’s workload increase is not necessary and should be rescinded. Departments should continue to appoint PTLs for the fall semester.

The AAUP-AFT leadership has been in discussions (not negotiations) with the university administration regarding the university budget. Those discussions require budget transparency and the union still awaits full disclosure of the university’s budget and its resources. 

If we are to rely on the materials we have received from the administration, then Rutgers is in good shape, financially. According to university’s $233 million bond prospectus of February 2009, “The University’s financial condition at June 30, 2008 continues to remain sound with net assets increasing by $91.0 million or 4.1 %.”

Sincerely,

Lisa Klein
President, Rutgers AAUP-AFT

Adrienne Eaton
President-Elect, Rutgers AAUP-AFT

Rudy Bell
Immediate Past President, Rutgers AAUP-AFT