Greetings,

Thanks to an incredible showing of new activists at TA Orientation, we begin the year with some of our most impressive membership numbers ever! And with several great events over the next few weeks (and all year!) I'm looking forward to meeting all of you face-to-face. I'm very excited about the direction we're taking... but I'll be brief for now, because we have a lot of important announcements!

VOTE NOW!!!

You should all have received ballots in the ratification vote to delay faculty pay increases over the next two years. If you haven't returned your ballot already, do so today!

The TA/GA Steering Committee and the Executive Council of the AAUP-AFT urge you to vote YES to accept the proposed changes--which, from our perspective as graduate employees, are not changes at all! With the help and support of our faculty, we have preserved every cent of our 8% raises! Vote yes to ensure speedy adoption of these provisions, and remember that only full members get a vote! Non-members will have received a membership application with the ballot: be sure to complete and return the form so your vote will count! Ballots MUST be received no later than 4 P.M. on Friday, September 4 to be counted.

If you have not received a ballot, contact the AAUP-AFT office immediately at aaup@rutgersaaup.org or (732) 964-1000. We will make every effort to deliver your ballot, but to make sure your vote is counted you may also stop by the office at 11 Stone Street in New Brunswick, just two blocks down from the Rutgers Student Center, to cast your ballot in an anonymous balloting envelope.

$100 for Signing Friends!

We'll be throwing our first "Thank the Organizers!" Party at the end of the month. Start signing your friends as full members to win great prizes! First Prize: a $100 Amazon Gift Card--just in time to buy many of your expensive new books! I'll be posting details and offering organizer training later this month, but you can get started today! Write to me at taga@gsa.rutgers.edu for more details on how to identify and talk to prospective new members.

Upcoming Events

9/3/09 TA/GA Steering Committee: The committee will meet Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6pm in the AAUP-AFT conference room at 11 Stone St. The committee meets biweekly to discuss union policy and activities. Get involved today! RSVP to taga@gsa.rutgers.edu so we know how much pizza to buy.

9/7/09 GSA/Union Labor Day BBQ: It's American Labor Day, and that means a BBQ! Find us at Antilles Field, a beautiful space behind Voorhees Chapel on Douglass Campus, any time from 2–7pm on Monday, Sept 7. No classes that day, so come out for some great food, drinks, games, and solidarity. Meet new students and make new friends! RSVPs appreciated but not required: taga@gsa.rutgers.edu.

9/8/09 Stella d'Oro Film Night & Discussion: Workers at the Stella d'Oro factory in the Bronx, after a long and successful strike effort, now face unemployment as the owners threaten to close the factory. A work in progress, "On the Line," tells their story. Meet the filmmakers and workers from Stella d'Oro, and learn how you can help in this ongoing struggle. The event will be held on Tuesday, Sept 9 at 7:30pm in St. John's Episcopal Church at 189 George St. Search for the event "On the Line" on Facebook for more details.

Later in September: Look for a Health Care Reform Rally on Sept 10, free yoga on Sept 22, and "Know Your Contract" and Film Night on Health Care on Sept 24.

In unity,

Elric Kline
Chair, TA/GA Steering Committee
taga@gsa.rutgers.edu

www.rutgersaaup.org
www.rutgerstaga.wordpress.com
Join us on Facebook! "Rutgers AAUP-AFT"