HPAE Local 5094, UMDNJ Professionals

Read News Articles on Governor Christie's Plans for UMDNJ
January 26, 2012
Read

The Governor Has His Say on the Future of UMDNJ. Is Newark Really any Safer? And Our Conversation With the New Attorney General – What Are His Priorities?
Read More


HPAE, Community Groups Demand Governor Put Patients First and Protect University Hospital
January 25, 2012

HPAE is part of a broad coalition calling on Governor Christie to weigh the impact on public health and patient care in enacting the UMDNJ Advisory Committee's final recommendations.
Read the Statement Issued by HPAE and other Groups


Cunningham Statement on UMDNJ Committee Report
January 25, 2012
TRENTON -- Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham (D-Hudson), Chairwoman of the Senate Higher Education Committee, released the following statement today in response to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Advisory Committee report:
Read more


Governor's UMDNJ Merger Committee Issues Their Final Report
January 25, 2012

At a press conference held today, Governor Christie announced the findings of a final report issued by an Advisory Committee on the status of UMDNJ. An interim report was issued September 20, 2011.

Key findings of the report and remarks from the press conference are:

1. The State will maintain ownership of University Hospital, but there will be a public/private partnership in which the hospital will be managed by a private entity.

2. The findings of the Interim Report, which called for the transfor of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, the Cancer Institute, and the School of Public Health to Rutgers University, were reaffirmed.

3. The remaining schools and entities of UMDNJ - including the New Jersey Medical School, the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, New Jersey and University Behavioral Health Care - will become parts of a "New Jersey Health Sciences University" based in Newark, NJ.

4. There will be a consolidation of Rutgers University in Camden under the banner of Rowan University--all RU Camden assets will go to Rowan.

5. The Governor said the costs of these changes will be absorbed by the universities, but he believes they will be revenue neutral.

6. Regarding the workforce, the Governor stated, "We aren't eliminating anything, we are reorganizing--it is up to management in dealing with the workforce."

7. Governor Christie has not decided whether he will accomplish these changes by Executive Order or whether they will require legislation. He clearly stated he wants the mergers and reorganization to occur this year.

Read the Final Report
View Governor Christie's Statement at the Press Conference


Applications for Essex Labor Council Scholarships Now Available
December 2, 2011

Applications for the Essex-West Hudson Labor Council (AFL-CIO) scholarships are now available. To receive an award the recipient must be a high school senior and accepted at an accredited college. To be eligible for the award, the recipient must be the child or spouse of a member of a local union affiliated with the council.

Access and Print Out the Scholarship Application


Members Vote to Ratify Tentative Agreement!
November 30, 2011

HPAE Local 5094 members overwhelmingly voted to approve the tentative agreement by a margin of 95%.

The contract will be in effect through September 30, 2014 after it is presented by management to UMDNJ’s Board of Trustees.

Click here for a summary of the agreement. In the coming months, new contracts will be printed and distributed to members at their various worksites. If you have further questions contact a Union officer.

We have a lot of work ahead of us to enforce the new contract and to respond to Governor Christie’s current attempt to dismantle UMDNJ. Do your part! You can help by becoming a Union Rep or Liaison for your department so that information reaches every one of our members.


Essex County Politicians Demand that UMDNJ, University Hospital Stay in Newark
November 18, 2011

At a press conference today, Newark Mayor Coorey Booker, Essex County Executive Joe Di'Vincenzo, and other Essex County politicians demanded that UMDNJ and University Hospital stay in Newark. They put forward a statement of principles to guide any future reorganization of UMDNJ.
Read an Article on the Press Conference
Read the Principles


November 16, 2011
HPAE 5094: Absentee Ballots Available

Although we urge all members to come to a meeting and vote in person, if you cannot attend a ratification meeting or work in an offsite location, you can request an absentee ballot.
To request a ballot either send an email to: local5094@hpae.org or call 201-649-9934. Requests for ballots must be made so that ballots have sufficient time to be returned by November 26, 2011. Election results will be announced the week of November 28th, 2011. Please include in email your address.

Contract Ratification Meetings for Local 5094

The tentative contract settlement reached with UMDNJ achieved several important goals:

Wages: We secured wage increases that include a combination of step movements and across the board increases.

Job Security: We've significantly improved the possibility that researchers will be placed into a new job when laid-off, increased the lay-off notice and we've initiated a process to expand opportunities for laid-off staff to bump or fill vacancies.

No Givebacks: Despite management proposals to weaken job security, limit our accrual and use of float holidays and to limit rights of exempt employees, we came to an agreement with no major givebacks.

Most importantly, we were able to lock in a contract at a time when Governor Christie is trying to dismantle UMDNJ. We will insist on preserving the standards in our new contract during any reorganization.

Please plan to attend one of the meetings listed below to discuss and vote on the tentative agreement. A detailed summary will be provided at the meetings and is on our web site. Read the Summary of the Settlement

Friday, November 11
UBHC, Piscataway, Room D-201
7 - 9:30 am, 12 - 1 pm, 1 -2 pm, 2:30 - 4:30 pm, 5 - 7 pm

Monday, November 14
CINJ, New Brunswick, Auditorium A
7 - 9 am, 12 - 1 pm, 1 - 2 pm, 2:30 - 4:30 pm
5 -7 pm (at HPAE, New Brunswick, 57 Paterson Steet)

Tuesday, November 15
MSB, Newark, Lecture Hall B556
12 - 1 pm, 1 -2 pm, 2 - 3 pm (A meeting for the night shift will be scheduled)
151 Centennial, Piscataway, Training Room C
12 - 1 pm, 1 - 2 pm
100 Metroplex, Edison, Staff Lounge
12 - 1 pm

Wednesday, November 16
UDP, Stratford, Room 3013
12 - 1 pm, 1 -2 pm, 5 -7 pm (5:00 pm meeting is in AC 276)
UBHC, Cherry Hill, Conference Room
1:15 - 2:15 pm

Thursday, November 17
RWJMS, Piscataway, Dean's Conference Room
11 am - 1:30 pm

Friday, November 18
WFD, Somerset, Family Medicine Conference Room
12 - 1 pm
ICPH, Newark, 225 Warren Street, Training Room W140B
12 - 1 pm

Monday, November 21
UBHC, Monmouth Junction, Room 41
12 - 1 pm

Tuesday, November 22
Liberty Plaza, New Brunswick, Training Room A
11:30 - 1 pm, 1 - 2 pm
5 - 7 pm (at HPAE, New Brunswick, 57 Paterson St.)

Only full members are eligible to attend ratification meetings and vote on the tentative agreement.

Mail ballots will be sent to members in FXB/CHP and UCHC.


Tentative Agreement Reached!
Posted November 7, 2011

At 1:00 am Saturday morning November 5th, a tentative agreement was reached with UMDNJ for the 5094 Professionals contract. The terms will be presented in full detail to every member at ratification meetings which will be scheduled in the near future.

Step increases, improving layoff rights and preventing major givebacks were a priority that the committee achieved. The terms are subject to the membership vote.

HPAE, Other UMDNJ Union Leaders Meet with Corey Booker
November 3, 2011

Tom Murphy, Co-President of HPAE Local 5094, and other UMDNJ union leaders met with Newark Mayor Corey Booker yesterday to discuss the merger or reorganization of UMDNJ. Specifically, the union leaders expressed concerns that a merger could lead to a reduction or elimination of services to the community, the loss of jobs, and the elimination of collective bargaining rights. Mayor Booker agreed that high quality services to the community and educational opportunities must be maintained.

Also representing HPAE at the meeting were Jean Pierce and Adrien Doumlin-Smith.

Pictured below, Mayor Booker with HPAE and other UMD Union Leaders:

Negotiations Update: More Progress on Wages
Posted October 28, 2011

On Wednesday, October 26, 2011, we returned to the bargaining table with management for the second time in two weeks to attempt to settle our contract.

We signed off on tentative agreements from our previous session, primarily clarifying existing contract language as well as improving the process used by the University to provide information to the Union. We also have an agreement in principle regarding the classification of new confidential employees. In order to focus on our priorities, we withdrew other proposals regarding probation and notification of University policies.

We believe we are close to agreements on reassignments, reclassification, evaluations, seniority and layoff, however we are still trying to improve layoff rights for researchers. We are not willing to accept the University’s proposed concession on accrual and use of float holidays.

We presented a revised counter offer on wages. And although we are no longer proposing retroactive raises, we fashioned our proposal to account for those members that have gone a longer period of time with no increase:

$1,000 bonus for all members upon ratification
July 1, 2012 - One step* for all members hired prior to July 1, 2010
January 1, 2013 - 1% across the board increase for all members
July 1, 2013 - One step* for all members hired prior to July 1, 2011
January 1, 2014 - 1% across the board increase for all members

*Our step increases range from 1.6% - 2.2%

The University agreed to the steps and proposed an additional .5% across the board on July 1, 2012 and another .5% across the board on July 1, 2013. However, they continue to maintain their position that they cannot provide money for the current fiscal year. We are working on a new counter proposal to submit at our next session.

We are still very concerned about the impending merger of RWJMS and SPH with Rutgers, the possible privatization of University Hospital and possible merger of SOM with Rowan. We believe having a contract in place will ultimately put us in a better position to protect the benefits and working conditions we already have.

Negotiations are set to resume on Friday, November 4, 2011 on the Newark Campus. If we can reach an agreement, we will begin plans for a contract ratification vote.

Negotiations Update

On Friday, October 21, 2011, our negotiation committee met with management in an effort to settle our contract. 

With the impending merger of RWJMS and SPH with Rutgers University, the potential privatization of University Hospital and talk of an acquisition of SOM by Rowan there is a new urgency to settle the contract in order to be in a better position to protect our current benefits and working conditions.

Management’s proposal: One step movement on October 1, 2012 for all employees hired by June 30, 2010. One step movement on October 1, 2013 for all employees hired by June 30, 2011. [Step movements range from 1.6% - 2.2%]

Management began the session with a new counter proposal for wages. Their latest response included more money than their previous proposal from August 26.  For the first time during these negotiations, management has responded to our insistence to include step movements.

After questioning, management indicated that they are flexible on the date of the increases for 2012 and 2013. Our goal is to lock in a contract before any merger or reorganization goes through. We are focusing on step movement and some compensation for 2011 and to ensure that we keep up with the cost of health insurance. We will submit a revised wage proposal prior to the next session.

Negotiations are scheduled again for Wednesday, October 26, 2011. The latest movement by management at the bargaining table leads us to believe that we can reach a tentative agreement soon.

Hundreds pack UMDNJ Advisory Committee hearing. Questions about future of the University remain unanswered.

Posted October 18, 2011

On Thursday, October 13, in a massive outpouring of support, over 300 UMDNJ employees, union members, students, elected officials and concerned community members attended a public hearing in Newark about the future of the University.

Despite public comment and questions from over 40 people, the Advisory Committee offered no new answers or details about the Governor’s plans to dismantle UMDNJ or the possible privatization of University Hospital.

A number of HPAE members and leaders addressed the committee including, HPAE Local 5094 Co-President, Tom Murphy, who presented the Committee with a petition of over 2,000 UMDNJ nurses and professionals expressing our concern about the merger.

HPAE members and staff are meeting with elected officials and community leaders to fight for the services we provide and to protect our contract and our jobs.

Couldn’t attend the hearing?

If you couldn’t attend the hearing, you can still make your voice heard. Submit comments through email at publiccomment@gov.state.nj.us. Tell the Committee: Stop the rush to a merger! Maintain the services we provide! Guarantee a voice for the community and employees in the process!

HPAE Members Speak Out

Posted October 18, 2011

Elmer Daniels RN, Case Manager, UH-Newark
“When you start thinking about University Hospital and the School of Medicine, let’s really stop looking at a snapshot; let’s look at the whole picture. Let’s look at what we’ve already done to elevate these standards and how we can move forward to improve them. Which we will, we’re the University – THE University.”
Click here to watch video

Tom Murphy, Research Teaching Specialist, NJMS-Newark
“I often wondered why they looked at what would make Rutgers great but why they didn’t look at what would make UMDNJ great… How are you going to pay for it? What I hear is [by] taking the existing budgets of already strapped colleges to pay the enormous cost of the merger.”
Click here to watch video

Kathleen Eannone RN, Staff Nurse, UBHC-Piscataway
The nurses and the staff in New Brunswick and Piscataway want to know when they [the Advisory Committee] are coming to meet us in New Brunswick.”
Click here to watch video

Diana Crowder, Industrial Hygienist, EOHS-Newark
I have concerns that so much of the planning to dismantle UMDNJ is being done behind closed doors… What review has this committee done… in order to assess the financial impact the dismantling of UMDNJ will have on services, jobs and on business in this community?”
Click here to watch video

Diane De Santis, Program Assistant, Ophthalmology, NJMS -Newark
“I am in the ironic position of being a parent of a Rutgers-Newark student. Does that mean I’m going to pay a tuition increase? ... Am I going to have to pay as a parent to fund a University take-over of where I work?”
Click here to watch video

Local 5094 President Tom Murphy presents petitions and gives a statement at the Advisory Committee Hearing on October 13th

Hundreds gather in hearing on UMNDJ merger with Rutgers to speak out against proposed plan

Local 5094 Membership Forum Established
September 30, 2011

Local 5094 now has a membership forum, where members can share information and exchange opinions about a variety of topics.
Click Here to Go to the Forum

From the Local 5094 Nominations and Elections Committee:

Recent News

The committee would like to congratulate the following members for winning the 2011 Local 5094 Officer Elections.
Northern Campus
Thomas Murphy – Co-President
Barbara Andrew-Jenkins – Co-Secretary
Central/Southern Campus
Judy Cunha – Co-President
Roger Peterson – Co-Secretary
Sean Wang – Representative

Mary Doran – Treasurer

Thank you,
Local 5094 Nomination and Election Committee
George Dikdan
Celeste Margerum
Jeffrey Ball (HPAE Staff Representative)

The candidates, who are listed below, have supplied written statements. Click Here to Read the Candidates' Statements

If a local member has not received a ballot or received the incorrect ballot, the member should call Jeffrey Ball at (201) 262-5005 ext. 115 or email him at jball@hpae.org . The member should supply their name, address and campus when doing this. When this information is received, a new ballot will be mailed to that member.

Thank you
George Dikdan
Celeste Margerum
Jeffrey Ball, HPAE Staff Representative

Candidates for Local 5094 Officer Positions

Co-President, Northern Campus
Murphy, Tom
Novosielski, Ryan

Co-President, Southern Campus
Choice, Willie
Cunha, Judy

Co-Secretary, Northern Campus
Andrews – Jenkins, Barbara
Hope – Robinson, Vernetha

Co-Secretary, Southern Campus
Peterson, Roger

Treasurer
Ashley, Alicia
Doran, Mary
Marallano, Mayra

Representatives
Wang,Sean

Governor Christie's UMDNJ Announcement
Posted September 20, 2011

Today, Governor Christie announced that he will be merging Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (including the Cancer Institute of New Jersey) and the School of Public Health with Rutgers University through an executive order. The Governor indicated that no decisions about the future of University Hospital and the Newark Campus have been made yet pending the recommendation of the UMDNJ Advisory Committee.

HPAE is researching and analyzing these developments both in terms of their legality and the effect they could have on our members. Most immediately HPAE is working to ensure that our jobs, wages, benefits and seniority are protected.

We will keep you up to date on any new developments.
Click here to read the UMDNJ Interim Report


Christie gives preliminary OK to Rutgers, UMDNJ med school merger | Governor Press Conference Video Feed


Braun: UMDNJ and Barnabas Health negotiating takeover of University Hospital

Negotiations Update
September 2, 2011

On Friday, August 26, our union bargaining committee met with management to continue negotiations for a new contract. After we submitted a wage proposal to management in June, the University has finally responded with their own wage proposal.

UMDNJ proposed a 1% across the board increase for all bargaining unit members on July 1, 2012 and another 1% across the board increase on July 1, 2013. Their proposal does not include any retroactive increases for previous contract years. Management indicated their offer was an initial wage proposal and we believe it is not their bottom line.

Our committee countered with a new proposal.

• One step on the salary scale on October 1, 2011 for all bargaining unit members hired prior to July 2011 (Step movements range from 1.5% to 2.2%)
• 1 % across the board increase on July 1, 2012 plus one step on the salary scale for all bargaining unit members
• 1% across the board increase on July 1, 2013 plus on step on the salary scale for all bargaining unit members
• Members at the top of the steps would receive an increase equivalent to a step

The University agreed to withdraw one of their more onerous proposals that would have undermined job security by allowing supervisors to use evaluations to determine layoffs. We also withdrew a proposal to expand our grievance and arbitration procedures in exchange for management's withdrawal of a proposal that would weaken the process. In addition, a number of tentative agreements were reached on minor language issues. Important non-economic issues such as layoff, seniority, bumping, reclassification and the inclement weather policy still remain on the table.

We are scheduling another negotiating session later this month and membership meetings are scheduled throughout September to discuss the negotiations in greater detail. No agreement has been reached yet; however, we are confident that we are finally in a position to be able to settle the contract.

In Solidarity,

Tom Murphy, Co-president
Judy Cunha, Co-president


Important Notice to the Local 5094 Membership
August 31, 2011

This is a reminder that currently the local nomination and election committee is accepting nominations for Local 5094 officers as well as representatives. This is done via a nomination petition that has been mailed to every members home. If you did not receive one or are in need of another, please contact George Dikdan, dikdange@umdnj.edu, Celeste Margerum, margerci@umdnj.edu or Jeffrey Ball jball@hpae.org. The deadline to submit these petitions is September 5, 2011.


Labor Day Picnic September 5 - New Location

Posted Aug 15, 2011
Updated Sept 4, 2011

Join HPAE-UMDNJ and AFT-Rutgers for our Labor Day Picnic on Monday, September 5, 2011. Donaldson Park is closed for hurricane cleanup. The Labor Day picnic will now be held at Rutgers Gardens located at 112 Ryders Lane in New Brunswick, NJ. (Click here for directions). Attendance is free for all full union members and up to 3 family members. Click here for more information and to register.

How Will Public Employees Be Affected By the New Health and Pension Benefits Law?
Posted June 28, 2011
Updated June 30, 2011

On June 28, 2011, Governor Christie signed into law the health and pension benefits legislation just passed by the State Assembly and Senate. Below is a summary of how the changes will affect HPAE members at UMDNJ.

Click here for a summary of the Health and Pension Benefits Law


HPAE United@UMDNJ: Have You Signed The Petition?
Posted May 24, 2011

Politicians are rapidly moving to dismantle UMDNJ and merge various units with other universities and organizations. The proposed restructuring can potentially affect every employee of UMDNJ, from every school and Unit.

If we stand together, we have an opportunity to shape the outcome.

We want a better UMDNJ. Our three HPAE Unions at UMDNJ have come together to launch HPAE United@UMDNJ—an extensive political action campaign to demand that those elected officials who will decide the fate of UMDNJ commit to the following principles:

1. UMDNJ's services must be maintained
2. The process must be transparent and include input from employees
3. Working families should not bear an additional tax burden
4. University Hospital should remain a public institution
5. Collective bargaining must be guaranteed
6. Our stalled negotiations must be resolved

Already over 1,000 of our co-workers have signed a petition supporting these goals. Can you help us reach 2,000?

Governor Christie’s plan is to divide us – our principles can unite us.

Click here to download the petition and circulate it to your co-workers.

Click here to read the principles and for answers to some frequently asked questions about the petition.


HPAE Leaders Meet in Response to Crisis at UMDNJ: Campaign to Save Community Services and Jobs Begins
April 21, 2011

On Tuesday, April 19, leaders from all three HPAE local unions at UMDNJ - Local 5089 (RNs), Local 5094 (non-nursing professional staff), and Local 5135 (UCHC RNs)- met to launch a new campaign in the face of the proposed restructuring of UMDNJ, the general assault on public employees, and management's refusal to bargain in good faith.

The leaders agreed on a set of principles for the campaign and decided to start a petition drive to get at least 2000 HPAE members to endorse these principles.

Members will be contacted next week regarding the campaign and the petition.

Read a Summary of the Leadership Meeting

Read the Principles


Merger Concerns
April 7, 2011

This Monday, April 4, Governor Christie appointed five people to the UMDNJ Advisory Committee. This committee will make recommendations by September 1st on whether some or all of the units of UMDNJ should be merged or taken over by Rutgers and other universities.

HPAE has serious concerns about the so-called merger and the process for deciding whether it should happen:

1. None of the individuals appointed to the committee are front-line staff who provide patient care, teach students, or do research – and yet these are the basic missions of UMDNJ. At the same time, labor organizations representing employees have been cut out of the process. Our voices need to be heard directly.
2. A merger or reorganization of UMDNJ may have a significant effect on the quality and scope of services currently provided by UMDNJ to the community, especially to our poorest and most vulnerable citizens.
3. A merger or reorganization of UMDNJ may cause additional layoffs and further reduce the compensation of UMDNJ staff. We have not received any salary increases in almost four years!

With help from our national union, the American Federation of Teachers, HPAE is researching all aspects of this process. We are also discussing our concerns with key political and community leaders. We will do whatever it takes to ensure that the interests and needs of the community, our patients, and our members are front and center.

We will keep you updated with any new developments.

If you would like to get involved in developing a strong union response, please click here to pledge your support.

Mad About Attacks on Workers? Tell Your State Lawmakers: Not in New Jersey!
Mad about the nationwide assault on workers’ rights and the political games being played to eliminate collective bargaining rights?

Tell your state lawmakers that attacking workers’ collective bargaining rights is not a constructive priority for New Jersey nor is it what they were sent to Trenton to do. We need to create jobs, invest in long-term prosperity, and achieve budget solutions which respect the middle class, reflect a compromise among all groups, and improve the quality of life for all working families in New Jersey.

Click here to email your legislator

March and Rally for "Jobs, Peace, Equality and Justice"
April 4, 2011

On Monday, April 4, Come celebrate Dr. King’s Legacy with HPAE Local 5094 as we March and Rally for “Jobs, Peace, Equality and Justice" in downtown Newark.

Meet at the corner of Broad and Market at 5:30 pm. The rally will be followed by an event at Essex Community College featuring Benjamin Jealous, President of the NAACP.

Forty-three years ago, on April 4, 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis, TN. He was there to support striking sanitation workers in their fight for collective bargaining rights.

In 2011, those same collective bargaining rights are under attack in WI, OH, MO, NH and right here in NJ. If Dr. King were alive today, he’d be standing up for the collective bargaining rights of public workers.

We call on activists and supporters to join us and honor Dr. King’s legacy this April 4th as part of the continuing struggle for human rights and human dignity for all.

April 4 is a day of solidarity with unions, people of faith, civil and human rights activists, students and other progressive activists across the country. Visit www.we-r-1.org for more information. The rally in Newark is sponsored by the Communication Workers of America Local 1037 and the People's Organization for Progress.

Get Involved! Sign the "I'll be There" Pledge
March 31, 2011

We are facing an unprecedented attack at UMDNJ. Gov Christie is blaming public workers for the economic crisis caused by Wall Street. Now he wants to increase the cost of our healthcare and break up UMDNJ—threatening our jobs and the services we provide. We have the power to fight back. Get involved!

Click here to sign the pledge and find out what you can do to protect your job, wages and benefits.

Local 5094 Negotiations Update
March 31, 2011

UMDNJ proposals undermine job security - would send us back to 1991

We had a negotiations session with UMDNJ yesterday. It was a disaster. Based on their proposals, it is clear that UMDNJ has no interest in working with us to reach an acceptable agreement. Instead, they proposed to take away basic rights and protections that we have fought for since our Union was formed in 1991.

At a time when the very existence of UMDNJ is threatened, management has chosen to fight against us, rather than work with us to improve job security and working conditions, and secure the future of the University and its employees.

Here are the “lowlights” from yesterday’s negotiations:

• Undermine job security by allowing supervisors’ to use the current subjective evaluations to determine layoffs
• Allow supervisors to suspend staff without pay indefinitely if they judge them to be disruptive
• Weaken our grievance procedure

…all of this while Governor Christie is proposing that we pay thousands more for health insurance!

Had enough? Get involved! Click here to sign the pledge and find out what you can do to protect your job, wages and benefits.

HPAE Testimony Regarding Higher Ed Taskforce Report, UMDNJ's Future
February 3, 2011

Governor Christie's Higher Education Taskforce recommended that some divisions of UMDNJ, including the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, should become part of Rutgers University. Jean Pierce, an HPAE Public Policy staffperson, gave testimony to the Assembly's Higher Education Committee on our approach to this issue. She emphasized the need to maintain medical services to the community and for staff to have direct input into the decision about UMDNJ's future.
Read More

Local 5094 Negotiations Update
January 18, 2011

We resumed negotiations with UMDNJ last Monday. This was our fourth session since the NJ Public Employment Relations Commission issued a complaint against UMDNJ for bad-faith bargaining. We have continued our strategy of addressing non-economic issues until the University is prepared to seriously negotiate economic issues like salaries and benefits.

The session on Monday was short. UMDNJ responded with counter proposals on evaluations, seniority, bumping and recall. They refused to set a deadline to respond to out-of-title and reclassification claims, as we had proposed. They further would not agree to set a deadline for evaluations to be completed, but made some movement towards clarifying and improving the integrity of the evaluation process, as well as allowing staff to "discuss" objections to the evaluation at the level of management above their supervisor with a Union Rep present.

Improving job security and expanding our rights during the layoff process are priorities during these negotiations. Management wants to decrease the time staff are allowed to exercise their layoff options. They also want to extend the time before they are obligated to inform the Union about a layoff, thus limiting our ability to quickly respond and advise members.

The University did however indicate a willingness to discuss the bumping rights of our members in locations not on a main campus and of members whose previous job titles are no longer in use. They were also open to further discussion about the possibility of bumping into lower classifications in the same job series when other positions are not available - an option that would have averted a number of recent layoffs. Our proposals were quite extensive, and while management's response may be a start, there is still a long way to go before we can come to an agreement on this issue.

Our next scheduled negotiations is January 31. We expect to have more proposals prepared to submit to management on that date.

There has been a tremendous response to our contract survey and the information provided has been invaluable to the Negotiating Committee as we develop proposals. However, we'd still like to hear from more members. The survey is online and can be completed in just a few short minutes.

Click here to complete your survey.

On behalf of our Negotiating Committee,

In Solidarity,

Tom Murphy
Judy Cunha

HPAE Responds to Kean Commission Report on Higher Education and Christie's Executive Orders
January 5, 2011

On January 4, 2011, the Kean Commission Report on Higher Education in New Jersey was released. The report includes a number of recommendations that may have a significant impact on HPAE and other union members at UMDNJ. We are concerned that neither the workforce nor their unions have provided input on the future direction of higher education in New Jersey. HPAE will be developing a plan and strategy to make sure that our voice is heard.

A full copy of the commission's report, as well as the executive orders is available. Read More

Negotiations Update
December 9, 2010

Our Negotiating Committee met with management again on Monday, November 29 to continue negotiations for a new contract. Management responded with counter proposals from our previous session dealing with increasing access to information and improving the Labor-Management problem-solving process, but no new agreements have been reached yet.

The Union presented a comprehensive package of proposals addressing out-of-title work, reclassifications, performance evaluations, layoffs and bumping rights.

Out-of-Job Classification Work and Reclassification

Due to budget constraints, many of us are now doing the work of two or more people with no recognition or compensation – a flagrant injustice in light of the University’s refusal to provide a raise for over three years. Our proposals seek to increase our ability to make successful out-of-title and reclassification claims, make management more accountable and clarify the process. We also proposed requests be automatically granted if management fails to respond within a certain period of time.

Performance Evaluations

Although performance evaluations are not currently tied to merit increases, they can be an important tool for staff development and motivation. However, on too many occasions, our managers fail to meet their responsibility to provide proper supervision. Worse yet, we have seen the evaluation process subverted and used unjustly as retaliation or disciplinary action. Our goal is to end these abusive practices and increase our opportunities for career advancement. We submitted proposals to set a strict time limit on when we receive evaluations, prohibit any changes to our evaluation after we sign it, establish an appeals process when we disagree with our evaluation, and increase the ability of our Union to monitor and enforce the process.

Layoff and Bumping

Our Union was organized after a mass layoff at UMDNJ went wrong. With no Union protections, management was free to layoff any employee they wanted with no enforceable seniority, bumping or recall rights. Since that time, we’ve consistently worked to protect and expand seniority rights and lay-off protections. Unfortunately, in the current political and economic climate, layoffs have become a daily reality. Job security is one of our top priorities in these negotiations. We submitted a lengthy proposal with numerous provisions that would:

Require volunteers be solicited before layoff
Freeze hiring, transfers and re-class in Department before and after layoff
Increase the notice of layoff to employee and Union
Maintain current salary when bumping or filling vacancies
Establish the right to a Union rep at layoff meetings
Allow filling vacancy or bumping in ALL previous titles
Allow filling vacancy or bumping in lower classification of same job series
Require management to discuss alternatives to layoff with the Union
Expand opportunities to ensure minimum job requirements can be met

Management in turn responded that bumping “is disruptive” and indicated they may seek to eliminate the practice – a position that our Negotiating Committee is not willing to consider.

We are still developing many of our proposals - your input in this process is important. Union Reps and Liaisons are currently distributing surveys to co-workers in their departments. The survey will be posted online as well. If your Department does not have a Union Liaison, and you would like to volunteer, click here to sign up.

Negotiations will commence again in January. With two sessions planned on January 10 and January 31, we are hopeful that the pace of the negotiations will pick up. Membership meetings are planned for later this month. Look for notice in a separate email.

In Solidarity,

Tom Murphy, Co-President (Newark)
Judy Cunha, Co-President (Central/South)

Present for the Union: Tom Murphy (NJMS), Judy Cunha (CA), Mary Doran (RWJMS), Roger Peterson (UBHC), Carmelo Colon (UBHC), Ryan Novoseilski (CA), Jessica Saul (SN-FXB/CHP), Elaine Douglas (RWJMS), Jeff James (UBHC), Mayra Marallano (GSBS), Rosa Johnson (UH), Willie Choice (CA), George Dikdan (NJMS). Union Staff: Chris Whalen, Mike Slott, and Michael Kunizaki.

Present for UMDNJ: Abdel Kanan (HR), Pat Scully (HR), Del Moss (HR), Margorie Michele (HR), Alice Lustig (RWJMS), Nancy Bedell (UH), Sylvia Pena (SHRP) and Robert Prodoehl (SOM), Walter Douglas (NJMS) and Rosemarie Rosati (UBHC).

2010 Contract Survey
Posted November 16, 2010 - Updated December 7, 2010

Contract negotiations with UMDNJ have resumed. With the expiration of the full contract in June, we now have the opportunity to negotiate ALL provisions of our contract. This survey is your opportunity to have your opinion heard during the process. Your input will be shared with our Negotiating Committee and will help guide your colleagues bargaining with the University.

In addition to wages, our contract provides many non-economic benefits, rights and provisions that affect our daily working conditions, (e.g. promotions, layoff rights, assignments). In order to make gains in these areas, your input is essential.

Winning a strong contract doesn’t just happen at the bargaining table. It takes the effort and participation of all of us to show that we remain united for a fair contract and are willing to fight to protect our rights and benefits.

Click here to complete your survey.

Negotiations Update
November 4, 2010

Negotiations with UMDNJ resumed last week. We met with University management on Wednesday, October 27 at Liberty Plaza. The Union presented a number of new proposals intended to increase our ability to better enforce our rights and our contract, including proposals that will:

• Provide greater transparency and access to information, including notification of significant unit and departmental policy changes;
• Expand options for members adversely impacted by reassignments;
• Create opportunities that would afford Union Officers greater ability to more effectively represent members; and
• Establish new forums to engage in problem solving with management from each of the Schools and Operating Units within the University.

Management responded to each proposal indicating willingness to compromise on some but rejecting others. While no new agreements have been reached, the tone seemed productive — something we hope will continue as we get back into the full swing of negotiations.

Our next bargaining session is scheduled for November 29, We will be submitting more comprehensive proposals on important issues such as layoff, bumping rights, equity review, reclassification, reassignment, grievance and discipline process to name only a few. Our economic proposals will be submitted at a later session. The University’s position in the wage reopener remains unchanged.

Union Liaison Action Team Meetings

At a time when the struggle for a fair contract has been so difficult and when the legislative attack on public employees is at its sharpest - our unity and organization is more necessary than ever in order to protect the gains we’ve already made. We are planning Action Team Meetings for our Union Reps and Liaisons on each campus in November to organize and launch our 2010 Contract Campaign. If your Department does not have a Union Liaison, and you would like to volunteer, click here to sign up.

Contract Survey

Later this month we plan to launch our 2010 Contract Survey. This will be your opportunity to share with our Negotiating Committee your concerns and help guide the committee while we are bargaining with UMDNJ management. In addition to wages, it is important that each of us identify what other areas of our contract we should focus our attention and attempt to improve. Your Union Rep or Liaison will distribute copies of the survey. In addition, look for the survey in the mail and online.

More information about the Action Team Meeting and the Contract Survey will be forthcoming.

In Solidarity,

Tom Murphy Co-President (Newark)
Judy Cunha, Co-President (Central/South)

Present for the Union: Tom Murphy (NJMS), Judy Cunha (CA), Mary Doran (RWJMS), Roger Peterson (UBHC), Carmelo Colon (UBHC), Ryan Novoseilski (CA), Linda Mathew (CINJ), Jessica Saul (SN-FXB/CHP), June Hare (NJMS), Veronica Wynn (CA) and Elaine Douglas (RWJMS). Union Staff: Chris Whalen, Mike Slott and Edgar Aracena. Click here for a complete list of our Negotiating Committee. We are still looking to appoint representatives from SOM in Stratford and RWJMS in Piscataway. If you are interested in being considered for the Committee, please contact Union Co-President, Judy Cunha.

Present for UMDNJ: Abdel Kanan (HR), Pat Scully (HR), Margorie Michele (HR), Alice Lustig (RWJMS), Nancy Bedell (UH), Sylvia Pena (SHRP) and Robert Prodoehl (SOM).

UMDNJ Back to the Table, Progress Made
October 6, 2010

After PERC issued a complaint against UMDNJ for bad-faith bargaining, the University agreed to get back to the table and negotiate with the Union. In response, the Unfair Practice Charge hearing that was scheduled for September 21 was canceled and we put our charges in abeyance.

On Friday, September 24 we met with management for the first time since August 2009. We're happy to report we have reached two tentative agreements on non-economic issues that would protect job security and our professional status - specifically on subcontracting and ensuring flexible scheduling for exempt staff. We are close to an agreement that would ensure internal applicants will be interviewed when applying for jobs, and we've continued discussion about layoff rights for research staff.

Although we have not settled the wage re-opener, we are reserving our right to make proposals and negotiate wages for 2008 and 2009. In order to move the process forward, we will begin to negotiate for the entire 2010 contract. We are in the process of reconstituting our negotiating committee to ensure the greatest representation of members from all campuses and operating units. The committee will be developing new proposals and in the coming months we will be asking you to participate in a survey to help prioritize which proposals are most important.

The next negotiation dates are October 27 and November 29. Membership meetings will be scheduled throughout October in order to provide a more detailed update.

We are confident through our continued unity, we can reach an agreement with the University and protect the gains we've made in the past, strengthen our job security and gain greater respect as professionals.

In Solidarity,

Tom Murphy Co-President (Newark)
Judy Cunha, Co-President (Central/South)

State Agency Issues Complaint Against UMDNJ
August 25, 2010

On Monday, August 23, 2010, the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) issued a Complaint and Notice of Hearing against UMDNJ in response to our Unfair Practice Charge that the University has failed to bargain in good faith.

After two years of wage "re-opener" negotiations between the Union and the University, this is a strong acknowledgement on the part of PERC of the merit of our charges that UMDNJ's bargaining behavior has violated the NJ Employer-Employee Relations Act.

A hearing has been set for September 21, 2010 at the PERC Office in Newark.

UMDNJ Agrees to Continue Equity Reviews
In October 2009, the Union filed a separate Unfair Practice Charge against UMDNJ alleging management unilaterally froze equity reviews in retaliation for members engaging in concerted activity - in this case, sharing public salary information. The union also claimed the University failed to process grievances in a timely manner. On August 18, 2010, the Union and UMDNJ reached a settlement mediated by PERC in which the University agreed to continue to consider equity review issues raised by individual members or the Union and to cooperate in processing grievances.

HPAE 2010 Convention Call - Download the Nomination Form Below

The upcoming HPAE Convention is slated for September 30 and October 1, 2010 in Atlantic City. The convention is the primary policy-making body of our state federation and its success depends upon the democratic participation of delegates from all HPAE locals unions. The deadline to nominate yourself is Saturday, August 14.

Your Local Executive Council approved an incentive for full dues paying members to attend. They have authorized payment of $40 for a single day or $100 for two days to eligible members who attend the HPAE State Convention as delegates to cover the registration fee and expenses. Click here to read more information about becoming a delegate and to download the nomination form.

Instructions: Complete the delegate nomination form and fax to 201-262-4335. Call 201-262-5005 to confirm the form was received. Be sure to mail the form as instructed on the nomination form as well.

HIT Best Practices Checklist: How does UMDNJ measure up?
The AFT recently adopted a resolution outlining Best Practices that should govern the development, introduction, and implementation of Health Information Technologies (HIT) in our hospitals, including electronic health records (EHR); computerized physician order entry (CPOE); computerized time and attendance systems; automated pharmacy systems, etc. [Click here to view the resolution]. HPAE was part of the Working Group that developed these Best Practices.

We’d like to hear how well your facility or your unit/department measures up to these Best Practices. Please complete and submit this HIT Best Practices Checklist. We’ll share the results of this informal survey with you and policy-makers.

Click here to take the survey and let us know how your facility measures up.

A message from your HPAE Local 5094 Co-Presidents
July 23, 2010

Today members of HPAE Local 5089 and Local 5094, Registered Nurses and Health Professionals at UMDNJ, had 1.5% of their salary deducted in order to participate in the State Health Benefits Program -- in effect, causing a cut in take home pay for 4,000 HPAE members.

This did not have to happen!

We have made every effort to negotiate a reasonable settlement with UMDNJ that takes in to consideration their financial situation, but would also offset the impact of the 1.5% health benefits contribution.

The University refused to consider any alternative. Every proposal we offered was rejected by them.

We've filed charges with the NJ Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC) against UMDNJ for bad faith bargaining. We continue to pursue the charges vigorously.

This administration has shown utter contempt for its employees, our unions and the collective bargaining process. We have not received a raise in three years and they refuse to bargain in good faith. To add insult to injury, Dr Owen has expressed his "special concern" about the impact of the state's new cap on pension contributions on UMDNJ's highest salary earners - those making over $141,000 - with no mention or regard for the impact of the 1.5% deduction on the vast majority of UMD's employees and their families.

If UMDNJ wants to retain qualified staff and avoid a further deterioration in morale, management needs to not only do what they are legally required to do -- they need to do the right thing. They need to treat their staff with the respect that we deserve, by negotiating a fair and reasonable contract.

In Solidarity,

Tom Murphy Co-President (Newark)
Judy Cunha, Co-President (Central/South)

Barbara Andrews-Jenkins and Other HPAE Members Stood Up for a Fair Budget - see what she had to say:

A message from your HPAE Local 5094 Officers and Representatives
May 19, 2010

For three years we have fought off attempts to require us to pay a contribution towards our health benefits. Now, a new law signed by Governor Christie, requires ALL public and state employees to contribute 1.5% of BASE pay for health insurance premiums beginning May 22, 2010. However, because we are covered by an existing Collective Bargaining Agreement, the deduction will not begin until July 1, 2010 - after our contract expires.

Last week, our HPAE Local 5094 Negotiating Committee submitted an official proposal to UMDNJ?s management in an effort to settle the wage "re-opener" negotiations and offset the inevitable 1.5% deduction for our health benefits.

Our proposal called for:

• All employees to receive a step increase effective the last full pay period of June 2010. [A step increase is on average 1.7% and would offset the 1.5% health benefits contribution].
• Employees to begin to contribute 1.5% of their base salary toward health insurance contributions effective July 1, 2010 [as mandated by legislation].
• Increased layoff notice, increased subcontracting notice and a guarantee of no furloughs. [These provisions have already been discussed and agreed to during negotiations].
• Extending the contract by one year until June 30, 2011.

Click here to read the proposal in its entirety

Despite how reasonable we believe our position is, and despite our willingness to make some concessions, extend the contract and accept a wage freeze for the 2011 fiscal year, UMDNJ management rejected our proposal and continues to demonstrate their disregard for the professional staff.

By rejecting our proposal, and furthermore, by indicating that they will not consider an extension of the current contract -
even without any form of a salary increase - UMDNJ has effectively ensured that their staff will see a reduction in their take home pay. For purely political considerations, they have sacrificed the economic security and economic well-being of their staff.

We previously filed an Unfair Practice Charge against UMDNJ when they stopped negotiating and took everything off the table in December. When they agreed to continue discussions and "negotiate in good faith" we placed the complaint on hold. It is clear again, that UMDNJ is not making a good-faith effort to settle the contract and we will continue to pursue the Unfair Practice Charge with the NJ Public Employment Relations Commission.

Membership meetings are being scheduled for all campuses in the next few weeks to provide more information and discuss our plans and strategy going forward.

In Solidarity,

Tom Murphy Co-President (Newark)
Judy Cunha, Co-President (Central/South)

HPAE Nurses Give Testimony to the Assembly Appropriations Committee Concerning Effects of Proposed Pension Cuts

Futilely attempting to derail a bipartisan bill that would eliminate accidental and ordinary disability retirement for PERS employees, nurses and probation workers bashed the legislature and Democrats - then savaged Christie for - in their view - disrespecting their ranks in his budget speech. "I have been kicked, stabbed... I guy with a black belt wrote he was going to assassinate us," said Barbara Esser, a public employee nurse at Reynolds Hospital. "The double-dipping and other games have nothing to do with us, and I totally resent being characterized as a greedy, selfish public employee." Click here to read what nurses had to say


2009 Officer Election Results

The following HPAE Local 5094 members have been elected as officers for a two-year term:
Co-Presidents
Thomas Murphy - Northern Campus
Judy Cunha - Central/Southern Campus
Co-Secretaries
Barbara Andrews-Jenkins - Northern Campus
Willie Choice - Central/Southern Campus
Treasurer
Corinne Swass-Fogarty
Congratulations to the winners.
Thank you to everyone who participated.


HPAE 5094 Update: Management Refuses to Bargain

We have continued in our effort to settle the contract re-opener with UMDNJ. In December, we discussed with the University a significantly modified,
reduced wage offer that we believed was more than reasonable and would finally settle the contract in the fairest way possible for our members.

We have since been informed that UMDNJ senior management has made the determination to "put off all negotiations" and "put nothing on the table" due to their concerns over the budget and the incoming administration. The same message was conveyed to other UMDNJ unions as well.

We are dealing with an administration that has shown no interest in resolving the contract re-opener and a complete disregard for the professional staff that make UMD work. The union is filing an Unfair Practice Charge with the NJ Public Employees Relation Commission for management's refusal to bargain. We are also planning membership meetings later in the month to provide a more detailed update and outline our next steps. Details are forthcoming.

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