Greetings,

Recently, the Rutgers administration has met with labor unions at the University to discuss the impact of the state budget and Rutgers' overall financial situation. Administation officials have informally proposed for "discussion" a salary freeze for this year (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010) and a deferral of salary increases in the following year. These meetings were not negotiations and all of the labor unions have rejected the University's proposal. 

While we recognize that the University is facing some financial problems due to the state budget and other factors, the University is obligated to abide by our contract, which provides for an increase, effective September 1, 2009, in the minimum salary to $1410 per credit and 3% across the board increases for PTLs who earn more than the minimum salary.  If you receive an appointment letter that is not consistent with these contract provisions, please let us know immediately so that we can take appropriate legal action.  You might also want to add a footnote indicating that the salary is to be adjusted per the collective agreement.

Contact President Mike Slott at mikes@rutgersaaup.org or call 732-964-1000 (ask for Karen Thompson at extension 21).

The PTLFC-AAUP-AFT, your union, has already communicated to the administration our expectation that the collective agreement be respected:

July 2, 2009

Dear President McCormick: 

The collective bargaining agreement between Rutgers University and our union provides for an increase in the minimum salary and across-the-board salary increases effective September 1, 2009.  We expect that the University will abide by this agreement and that the appointment letters of all PTLs will reflect and be consistent with these contract provisions.  If PTLs do not receive the contractually-negotiated increases effective September 1, 2009, we will take appropriate legal action.

Sincerely,
President Mike Slott and the PTLFC-AAUP-AFT Executive Board

We will be updating you on any new developments as they occur.

In Solidarity,

Mike Slott, President
Rutgers PTLFC-AAUP-AFT