of Higher Education Labor New Jersey VOICE Published by the Council of New Jersey State College Locals (AFT, AFL-CIO) 420 Chestnut St, Union, NJ 07083 October 2005 COUNCIL ENDORSES CORZINE FOR GOVERNOR 64 ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES current practice of corporate- dominated boards by appoint- ALSO ENDORSED ing trustees that better reflect n September 16th, at a regular meeting of New Jersey’s diverse popula- the Council of New Jersey State College tion. Corzine’s commitment OLocals, AFT, AFL-CIO, over 70 elected to collective bargaining was delegates from eleven locals at our nine State col- evident from his support for leges/universities voted unanimously to endorse legislation that would prevent Jon Corzine for Governor as well as 54 Democrats the state from imposing its fi- and 10 Republicans for Assembly races. nal offer on public employee The Council’s endorsements were based on can- unions and for legislation that didate responses to our Higher Education Survey, would prevent public employ- our assessment of their public records and their ers from by-passing arbitration positions on issues of critical importance to our decisions and appealing them membership. These issues include higher education fund- to the courts. ing, access, governance, accountability, collective bargain- Corzine recognized that State college/university “auton- ing, equity for adjunct faculty and the preservation of state omy” has resulted in lack of coordination among our in- health and pension benefits. (Continued on page 2) Corzine accepted the Council’s invitation to speak at its September 16 meeting. In his remarks, he stressed his belief in the need for a greater union role in governance and in Council President Nick determining terms and conditions of employment. He ex- pressed support for pending “lame duck” legislation that Yovnello Honored at would add two union representatives to every college/uni- versity board of trustees. He also pledged to go beyond the Rowan University Dr. Tirupathi Chandrupatia Also In This Issue Also Honored Corzine Unveils Plan For Higher Education...3 Rowan University honored Nicholas Yovnello with the Solidarity Corner fourth annual Joseph A. Barnes Award for Outstanding The HPAE slogan says it all— Our Fight Is Your Fight...... 4 Service to Rowan University at a convocation on Monday, September 19 on the Rowan campus. (Joseph Barnes was Former AFT President Sandra Feldman an outstanding professional staff person, librarian and Dies at 65...... 5 union activist at Rowan. At the time of his death, he was Ann Klopp - New Local President At Thomas vice-president of the Rowan local.) Edison State College...... 6 Sponsored by the Federation of Rowan College Educa- Sarah-Ann Harnick - New Leadership At tors (FORCE) our Rowan AFT local, the University Senate, New Jersey City University...... 7 Campbell Library and Friends of the Campbell Library, the Adjunct Faculty! It’s Easier Than Ever to Join the AFT...... 8 Council’s Web Site and Voice Win Aftca Awards...... 8 (Continued on page 2) Corzine Endorsement issues, including opposition to privati- ticipate in “labor to labor walks” (i.e., zation of social security, strengthening canvassing union households on Sat- Continued from page 1 the right of employees to join unions urday mornings), phone banking and and the defense of Pell Grants. related activities. Please respond as if The centerpiece of Republican can- your pension and health benefits and didate Douglas Forrester’s campaign rights as public employees and educa- is his promise to reduce property taxes tors are at stake—because they are. by 30% in 3 years. Property taxes fi- nance public education (K-12). Radi- – • – cal cuts tax cuts without provision for alternate revenue sources would harm our public schools, drive up the State budget deficit and inevitably reduce the State’s ability to fund public higher education. Senator Corzine addressing Council The Council’s endorsement delegates of Jon Corzine for Governor stitutions and pledged to impose a far has been announced jointly greater degree of central oversight and with our new AFT affiliate, the accountability over the nine State col- Rutgers University AAUP. It leges/universities. follows an endorsement of Cor- zine by the NJ State AFL-CIO. In response to a question from the floor regarding the status of adjunct The Council also endorsed 64 faculty, he remarked that significant Assembly candidates. In order years of service should be rewarded to insure that these pro-higher with enhancements in salary and ben- education and pro-labor can- efits. didates are elected, more than Council Pres. Nick Yovnello, Senator Corzine & AFT voting is required. Your locals Local 1904 (MSU) Pres. Dierdre Glenn Paul As our US Senator, Corzine has a per- may be calling on you to par- fect voting record on AFT and AFL-CIO

Council of New Jersey State College Locals and he recently Yovnello Honored at was elected for a fourth term. He also has been a member of Rowan University the American Federation of Teacher’s National Higher Edu- cation Program and Policy Council for six years. (Continued from page 1) Nick has interests outside higher education as well. He Barnes Award honors a member of the Rowan community has volunteered for the New Jersey Council on Adult Lit- who has made exceptional service contributions to the Uni- eracy and was one of the founders of the Lindenwold Public versity. Library; he chairs the Elk Township Planning and Zoning Board; and he serves as a Gloucester County Democratic Nick has been a librarian at Rowan for 36 years, currently Committeeman. serving as professor/assistant director of Library Services. “Nick is one of the finest individuals I have known,” com- He chaired the University mented Karen Siefring, current president of FORCE and as- Senate’s ethics committee for sistant to the Dean for Student Advisement. He is a great seven years and also chaired champion of the teaching and scholarship missions of the the sabbatical leave, tenure University. “In addition to helping the institution function and recontracting and budget professionally and effectively, he has brought resources and committees. He has served publicity to Rowan University as well as to all the state col- on the University Senate for leges of New Jersey. Through this distinguished service, he an unprecedented (25 years) has contributed to the institution’s national profile.” and has been an AFT member, In an interview that appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, even longer, for 33 years. Nick Nick said that “I was very pleasantly surprised to be given is the only person ever elected the Barnes Award… I was very close friends with Joe and to both Senate and local union first came to know him as a student in my library science president at Rowan. Continued on page 7 For the last six years, Nick  has been President of the COLLEGE VOICE CORZINE UNVEILS PLAN FOR HIGHER EDUCATION emocratic candidate for governor, Jon Corzine, has for New Jersey college graduates who work in these presented a plan for broadened access to higher ed- same high need sectors; and Ducation in New Jersey. Called the “Affordable Op- 3) create 1,000 merit-based scholarships, at an average portunities Initiative,” it would expand tuition assistance, of $5000 annually, for outstanding New Jersey high offer student loan relief and provide incentives to keep more school graduates who pursue their higher education students studying and eventually working in New Jersey. within the state. “Higher education does not simply benefit the individual,” He also proposes to provide tuition assistance to children Corzine said. “It benefits the state. If we use our educational and other dependents of veterans who served in Iraq and resources strategically, we can enlist our sys- Afghanistan. tem of college and universities into a broader strategy to grow our economy and make our As a US Senator, Corzine has been a state more affordable.” leading advocate for increasing funding for student aid, including Pell Grants. His The plan has a number of components. AFT voting record, which includes issues On the top of the list is a pledge to create an such as tax cuts for upper income brackets, additional 10,000 Tuition Assistance (TAG) prescription drug coverage, school vouch- Grants for low and moderate income stu- ers and funding for school aid, is 100%. dents. Today approximately 61,000 students He is a prime co-sponsor of the Employee receive these grants. They average $3,400 Free Choice Act, which would eliminate per student, but many eligible students are many obstacles now faced by unions in at- turned away for lack of funding. Corzine’s tempting to organize. In discussions with proposal for a 17% increase in TAG would be Council leadership, he has voiced strong the largest single increase in our state’s his- support for collective bargaining and the tory. preservation of state employee health and To further insure that low income does not pension benefits. disqualify students from seeking a higher The Republican candidate for Governor, education, Corzine guarantees full funding John Corzine speaking at Douglas Forrester, does not have a fully for the TAG program. Currently thousands Higher Education developed position on issues of access and of students do not get the full grant they are Issues forum held at TCNJ affordability in public higher education. eligible for, simply because there is no money According to his web site, “the federal available. This inequity hurts poor students government can help parents by increasing and prevents some from attending college at the amounts parents can invest in Educational IRA’s.” He all. With tuition costs rising, Corzine recognizes the need believes that capacity must be expanded to accommodate for TAG to keep pace. more students and proposes “public-private partnerships More than 40% of New Jersey’s high school graduates with industry to guarantee construction of adequate space leave the state to go to college, decreasing the likelihood for higher education purposes.” As Governor, he would ap- that they will return to work here. To deal with this “brain point “high level corporate executives to the Boards of the drain,” Corzine would create a range of programs to: state colleges and universities so these executives can share 1) provide up to $1000 in tax credits ($5,000 over 5 years) their expertise and business acumen.” for New Jersey high school graduates who attend Jon Corzine, on the other hand, supports legislation that college in other states but return to New Jersey to would place two union representatives on the board of ev- work in critical fields such as nursing, child care, ery state college and has pledged to appoint trustees that first responders and teaching high school math and reflect the diversity of New Jersey’s population. science; 2) forgive $1000 in student loans ($5,000 over 5 years) or – • – provide up to $1000 in tax credits ($5,000 over 5 years)

NOT A MEMBER YET? BECOME INVOLVED! Make your voice heard in the workplace by joining the union today. Occupational Liability Insurance comes with membership! Visit your local office for a membership card or visit the council’s website (www.cnjscl.org) for membership information.

OCTOBER 2005  SOLIDARITY CORNER HPAE’s slogan says it all— OUR FIGHT IS YOUR FIGHT

e want good nursing care port and picket with HPAE employees. Commissioner of Labor announced and a fair contract for these SEIU 32BJ also walked the picket line in that the strikers would be eligible for Wvalued professionals! support of the striking employees. unemployment benefits. Over the summer, Council staff and members attended various demonstra- Contract I Defend Quality Care — tions and rallies in support of our AFT Agreement Reached So Sue Me affiliate, HPAE Local 5091 (Hospital On June 23, the nurses and health pro- On a hot summer afternoon, wearing Professionals Allied Employees), in its fessionals at BRMC went back to work buttons and carrying signs announcing protracted negotiations battle against after reaching a contract agreement “I Defend Quality Care — So Sue Me,” the Bergen Regional Medical Center with the hospital. “We have moved more than one hundred HPAE mem- (BRMC) in Paramus. forward in our goals of achieving safe bers were once again picketing in front HPAE is an affiliate of AFT Health- of BRMC. Council staffers Bennett care, the health care division of Muraskin, Debra Davis and Mark the American Federation of Teach- Heter and Council delegate Hank ers. HPAE represents nearly 10,000 Frundt (Ramapo) joined them, healthcare workers in New Jersey and along with labor and community represents 425 employees at BRMC. A leaders and elected officials, in a previous Bergen County administra- public display of union solidar- tion privatized the hospital and the ity in support of HPAE President company that runs it is based in Colo- Ann Twomey. Twomey is fighting rado. Ever since the privatization, the a lawsuit that BRMC filed in April, public and HPAE have been paying claiming “tortious interference the price. with the hospital’s business.” On June 2, the nurses and health care The lawsuit is commonly re- professionals went on strike after me- ferred to as a “SLAPP” suit (Strate- diation talks that occurred throughout HPAE demonstrators at Bergen Regional gic Lawsuit Against Public Partici- most of June yielded no real progress. Medical Center pation), which is meant to silence The lack of movement stemmed from individuals who speak out against management’s refusal to address real staffing and retaining our experienced corporate policies. In Twomey’s health care issues of safe staffing, caregivers,” said HPAE president Ann case, the suit arose after she and other work rules and fair wages and benefits. Twomey. “The nurses and health pro- HPAE members testified before public Management’s only economic proposal fessionals at this hospital took on a bodies about the poor quality of patient would have meant a reduction in the fight against for-profit healthcare and care at the hospital. HPAE representa- shift differential pay for most HPAE for safe staffing - and emerged stronger tives claim that this suit is an effort to members. Management also had in- than ever.” The Bergen Local is one of gag the voices of patient advocates, sisted on a three-year contract and had 10 locals participating in HPAE’s “One consumers and even elected officials rejected binding interest arbitration. Voice” campaign, in which affiliates who criticize hospital management. BRMC was a lone holdout in contract aligned their contract expiration dates At the rally, Twomey affirmed that “… negotiations after five other hospitals to focus on such issues as staffing, pen- speaking up for our patients and our in the area settled by late spring. sions, salaries and retiree health ben- members is both our right and our re- sponsibility as health professionals and Council staffers traveled to Para- efits. Throughout the 20-day strike, the we will continue to do so.” mus with food and beverages to sup- union had the support of the commu- nity and state and federal lawmakers, Twomey and the HPAE are not alone including State Assemblywoman Lo- in their struggle. They have strong sup- retta Weinberg and U.S. Representa- port from the newly formed Committee tive Steve Rothman, both of whom are to Defend Quality Health Care. This de- Democrats. In addition, the New Jersey fense committee is comprised of labor, community and elected officials. Laurel (Continued on page 6)

 COLLEGE VOICE of Education International. She frequently spoke out on hu- Former AFT President man rights issues abroad, condemning terrorism and repres- sion of human and worker rights around the world—from Sandra Feldman Dies China to Colombia, from the Soviet Union to Sudan. at 65 Sandra Feldman was born in New York City and educated in its pub- Former AFT president Sandra Feld- lic schools, including James Madison man, a lifelong advocate and activist for High School and Brooklyn College. She civil and trade union rights, died Sep- earned a master’s degree in English lit- tember 18 at her home in New York City erature from New York University. A after a three-year battle with breast can- former teacher and UFT chapter leader cer. She was 65. at P.S. 34 in Manhattan, Feldman rose “Sandy’s death is a great loss for the through the ranks of the union to ex- AFT personally and professionally,” ecutive director, a post in which she su- said AFT president Edward J. McEl- pervised all aspects of the union’s work. roy in a statement. “She was a leader In 1983, she was elected secretary of the without comparison.” When Feldman UFT, the union’s second highest office, was elected AFT president in 1997 after the death of Albert and was elected president in 1986, succeeding her longtime Shanker, she became the first female president of the union mentor and friend Albert Shanker. since the 1930s. Her election to the AFT’s top post followed Prior to becoming AFT president, Feldman also was a a distinguished 30-year career with the United Federation of vice president and member of the national union’s executive Teachers in New York City, including 11 years as UFT presi- committee. dent. In 2004, Feldman decided for health reasons not to run Feldman’s roots in a working-class neighborhood in for reelection as AFT president and stepped down at the Brooklyn, N.Y., shaped her lifelong commitment to expand- union’s convention that year. She was named AFT president ing educational opportunity, serving the needs of disadvan- emeritus and continued to serve on the boards of numerous taged youngsters and fighting for more resources in urban organizations, including the Child Labor Coalition, the Al- schools. She was widely recognized as an authority on urban bert Shanker Institute, the Council on Competitiveness, the education, and her long-standing commitment to social jus- International Rescue Committee and the A. Philip Randolph tice dates back to her involvement with the early civil rights Institute. movement, both in New York and nationally, when she was arrested during the Freedom Rides and other protests in the Feldman was remembered on September 19 at an im- 1960s. promptu gathering of AFT staffers at the union’s headquar- ters, where secretary-treasurer Nat LaCour, executive vice During Feldman’s tenure as president, the AFT grew president Antonia Cortese and others paid tribute to her by more than 365,000 new members, or 38.6 percent—the (president McElroy was traveling on AFT business). LaCour, largest growth in a seven-year period in the union’s histo- who announced that a memorial service would be held at a ry—passing the 1 million mark in 1998 as the AFT adopted later date, described Feldman as an “outstanding” unionist new initiatives to foster a “culture of organizing” within the and leader who was “truly respected by all the people she union. As AFT president, she also served on the AFL-CIO’s came in contact with, both nationally and internationally.” executive council, chairing the AFL-CIO’s Committee on So- Cortese, who first met Feldman in 1971 during the New cial Policy and serving on numerous other committees of the York merger of the AFT and NEA, said, “Sandy had a wick- council. ed sense of humor and selflessness about her.” She praised Among her key initiatives as AFT president was a call for Feldman’s “commitment and optimism,” her belief in public universal access to preschool for children, which she cham- service and “her love for the UFT and AFT.” pioned at the AFT’s QuEST conference in 2001. A year later Feldman is survived by her husband, Arthur Barnes; a at the union’s 2002 convention, she outlined the first step brother, Larry Abramowitz of New York City; a sister, Helen toward achieving this, urging Congress to provide funding Berliner, of Wylie, Texas; and two children and two grand- for a “Kindergarten-Plus” initiative that would help schools children of Mr. Barnes. offer an extended year of kindergarten for disadvantaged youngsters to help close the achievement gap. – • – Feldman was also a strong advocate for the rights and con- cerns of nurses and health professionals, working to bring public attention to the national nursing shortage, patient rights and adequate staffing levels in healthcare facilities. A strong proponent of civic education and democracy in the international arena, Feldman served as a vice president

OCTOBER 2005  ANN KLOPP - NEW LOCAL PRESIDENT AT THOMAS EDISON STATE COLLEGE nn Klopp became President of AFT Local 4277, Ms. Klopp began attending our AFT Local 4277 monthly Thomas Edison State College on July 1, 2005. She meetings about six months after starting at TESC. Over the Agraduated from St. Joseph’s University in Philadel- years, she served on some of the Local ad hoc sub-commit- phia. As a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda (National Hon- tees, organized to resolve specific issues (College IT Policy or Society for Nontraditional Adult Students), she acquired and air quality/climate control improvement). She ran for empathy for adult students. She began working at Thomas Local Treasurer once, but lost in a close vote. Not to be de- Edison State College, which primarily serves adult students, terred, she ran for Local President this year, won, and began seven years ago. She was hired in the MIS department as her term on July 1, 2005. a Systems Coordinator to help implement and support the AFT Local 4277 has a brand new slate of officers. All of College’s new Student System. them have worked very hard to get up to speed and to begin to implement changes based on feedback from their mem- bership as well AFT National “Member in Good Standing” requirements. Local 4277 recently formed a Local Health and Safety Committee and has also made improvements to their Local budget process. Annie, as she prefers to be called, is also a champion golf- er. According to outgoing president Donald Trucksess, “This past year Local 4277 at Thomas Edison State College held their elections in February to enable the newly elected Presi- dent to get “her feet wet.” Ann Klopp participated in many meetings with the college administration and by the time July 1 rolled around, she was ready! Working with Ann was a rewarding experience for me. Based on three months’ de- liberations, discussions, phone calls, exchanges of e-mails, I can say with certitude Ann will be an asset to the Union. The members should find themselves pleased with her efforts Outgoing Local 4277 President Don Trucksess wishing and she has already presented herself as creative and ener- Ann Klopp success as new Local 4277 President getic, considerate and far reaching. She will do well.” – • – Assembly passed anti-SLAPP legis- SOLIDARITY CORNER lation, A-1077 sponsored by Assem- (Continued from page 4) bly members Loretta Weinberg (D- 37) and Joseph Cryan (D-20). This Brennan, Secretary-Treasurer of the NJ bill provides broader protection to AFL-CIO announced the committee’s SLAPP suit victims. In a show of bi- formation during the rally. After Bren- partisan support for Twomey and nen made the announcement, her mes- the HPAE, Republican Assembly- sage to BRMC management was, “you women Charlotte Vandervalk (R- have seriously misjudged your adver- 39) called the SLAPP suit “a thinly saries.” Council President Nicholas veiled attempt to intimidate each Yovnello is a committee member and and every one of us from exercis- promised the Council’s support, stat- ing our Constitutional right of free Council staffers Bennett Muraskin & Debra ing, “Bergen Regional Medical Center’s speech.” Assemblywoman Joan Davis at HPAE demonstration. law suit is an insult to quality health- Voss (D-38) also spoke at the rally. care for the citizens of New Jersey.” HPAE’s slogan says it all. HPAE is also receiving help from OUR FIGHT IS YOUR FIGHT!! New Jersey Assembly members. In reaction to the BRMC SLAPP suit, the – • –

 COLLEGE VOICE NEW LEADERSHIP AT NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY

n May 2005, Sarah-Ann Harnick Harnick was a member of the bargain- was elected President of Local ing team. She also had the privilege of I1839, our local at New Jersey City being chosen to attend AFT’s Higher University. She took office on July 1, Ed New Leaders’ Conference. 2005 and is the second professional Ms. Harnick became a Council del- staff person to serve as local president egate 3 years ago. In 2003 she was outside of the Thomas Edison State elected Professional Staff Representa- College, which has no faculty. Karen tive and became Chairperson of the Siefring, President of Rowan FORCE Council’s Professional Staff Commit- Local 2373, is the other. tee. Iris DiMaio of William Paterson Sarah-Ann Harnick is a student af- University, Local 1796, was elected to fairs professional with over twenty succeed her at the September 16, 2005 years experience in the field. She start- Outgoing NJCU Local 1839 Pres. Council meeting. ed her career at Jersey City State Col- John DeBrizzi with President Ms. Harnick earned a Bachelor of lege (now New Jersey City University) Sarah-Ann Harnick Science degree from SUNY. Brockport in 1988. Her major responsibility is the (music major, theatre minor) and a vember 2002, she received the Joseph daily operation of the Gilligan Student Masters of Fine Arts (arts administra- H. Benedict Service Award from ACUI Union. One of her all-time favorite tion) from the University of Texas-Aus- Region 3. projects was designing and outfitting tin. the Student Government complex on About 5 years ago, Ms. Harnick was Jon DeBrizzi, outgoing Local 1839 the first floor. encouraged to become a union officer president, commented, “Some years by Bob Arey, long time local leader, Ms. Harnick has served as the Tower ago, I suggested to Sarah Harnick that Council delegate and the Council’s first Yearbook advisor since 1990 and was she should consider becoming local Staff Representative. Jumping right in, the advisor to campus radio station president. She was a long-time, active she became Local 1839’s Vice-President WGKR earlier in her career. Other cam- member who impressed me with her for Professional Staff and Librarians. pus activities have included serving as ability, commitment, intelligence and Her greatest accomplishment was to co-founder of “Gifts from the Heart”, energy. Therefore, it was evident that serve on the Local 1839 bargaining com- a student affairs division project which Sarah could be an outstanding leader mittee that negotiated a Performance- provides clothing and toys to Jersey for us in the future and now her time based Promotions Agreement with the City children and families in need. Ms. has come. We, in Local 1839, anticipate University. This Agreement features a Harnick is a frequent educational ses- that she will serve with distinction.” sion presenter at regional and interna- professional staff promotions commit- tional conferences of the Association of tee empowered to make recommenda- – • – College Unions International. In No- tions directly to the President. During negotiations for our current State-Union Master Agreement, Ms.

Rowan, received the 2005 Lindback Distinguished Teacher Yovnello Honored at Award. He joined the faculty in 1995 and was the found- Rowan University ing chair of Rowan’s mechanical engineering program. Dr. Chandrupatia is the author of three textbooks in engineer- (Continued from page 2) ing and has also written a book of poetry. courses…[where] he was one of my best students. When he The entire Council extends its congratulations to both came back as a staff member, we were active in a lot of the Nick Yovnello and Dr. Chandrupatia. same academic governance activities on the college senate – • – and as union officers.” Nick also noted that he graduated from Glassboro State College (Rowan’s original name) and that he could not have done so without partial scholarships and working multiple summer jobs. This experience reinforces his commitment to a quality affordable system of public higher education for all New Jersey citizens. On the same occasion Nick was honored, Dr. Tirupathi Chandrupatia, professor of mechanical engineering at

OCTOBER 2005  October 2005 New Jersey Published on behalf of the AFT Locals in the New Jersey State Colleges and Universities by the Council of New Jersey State College Locals, AFT/AFL-CIO. Member: Union Communication Services, Inc.; AFT Communications Association. V Adjunct Faculty! — It’s Easier Than Ever to Join the AFT This fall, your paychecks reflect a salary increase to $850 per teaching credit hour; in January 2006, the rate increases to $900. Effective September 2005, adjunct faculty who have taught 16 or more semesters receive an additional $25 per credit. Keep up the mo- mentum by supporting AFT’s efforts on your behalf. Build on our contract gains by be- O coming an AFT member. To make it easier for you to join the Union, the Council created a new, easy–to–com- plete membership card. It’s simpler to fill out and easier to understand. Join today to start enjoying full AFT membership rights and privileges – including AFT Plus! You can pick up a card at your campus AFT local office or request a card by calling the Council office at 908–964–8476. You can also request a membership package from our website at www. I cnjscl.org. AFT membership is easier and better than ever!

C NEED HELP WITH MEDICARE ISSUES? Check www.aft.org for NEW! Medicare Interactive which provides info about the Medicare drug benefit and other Medicare issues. The direct link to this interactive site is: http:// ofE Higher www.medicareinteractive.org/page2.php?topic=counselor Education Labor COUNCIL’S WEB SITE and VOICE WIN AFTCA AWARDS Every year the AFT Communication guidance of managing staff representa- a VOICE story about her successful Association (AFTCA) holds a journal- tive Steve Young, CNJSCL.ORG has be- application for a Performance Based ism contest and then presents awards come as one AFTCA judge noted, “an Promotion. The AFTCA judges praised to its member locals for their efforts interesting and well-maintained site.” Iris’s article for not only providing in fostering communication between Our website received high grades for specific details on procedures but also other AFT locals and promoting union easy pop-up navigation, having a user for writing about the personal aspects solidarity within the labor movement. friendly search tool and above all, “a of ‘promoting’ herself. Iris, stated the After learning about the contest, the great deal of no-nonsense job-related judges, told a “fine firsthand account... Council submitted its website and an content.” The judges also praised the very personal with lots of good, prac- article about professional staff from the fact that we have archived our VOICE tical advice; the writer has taken or- March 2005 VOICE issue for consider- publications online in PDF format and dinary dull events… and turned them ation in AFTCA’s Class II category. that we use CAPWIZ to get members into a moving narrative.” We are pleased and proud to an- to be proactive on our local and state Council President Nick Yovnello nounce that at its annual conference legislative issues. commented, “I’m pleased to see the in July, AFTCA presented the Council The Council earned a second award Council has made enormous strides in with a First Place Award for Best Web for Best Feature Story in its Class from improving our ability to communicate Site in its class and an 2nd place Award a March 2005 VOICE article titled, “Pro- with members. I’m also happy that Iris of Merit for Best Feature Story in its fessional Staff Promoting Ourselves.” DiMaio’s article received well deserved class. This story came about when Council recognition from the AFTCA.” Steve The Council’s website has certainly staff asked Iris DiMaio, an Assistant Young attended the July Conference to earned this distinguished awards. Over Director in the Continuing Education receive these awards on behalf of the the last few years, under the creative and Distance Learning Center at Wil- Council. – • – liam Paterson University, to contribute