NTU Update - September 8, 2017

Colleagues,

1) SAVE THE DATES! With the transition back to local control, it is vital that NTU has a strong presence at the upcoming NPS Advisory Board Meetings. This fight is far from over!

• September 13 – On Wednesday, September 13^th, at 3:30 pm sharp, in front of Newark City Hall, Mayor Baraka will hold a press conference, open to the public, celebrating the return of local control to the Newark Public Schools after 22 years of state control. AFT National President Randi Weingarten will be among the speakers. The Weequahic High School band will play at 3:15 pm. Please come out to this very special event. So right after school do a drive through; lights on, horns honking, etc.

• September 19 – NPS Business Meeting. 2 Cedar Street, 5:30 PM

• September 26 – NPS Advisory Board Meeting – University High Scjool, 6:00 PM

2) Payroll problems – If you believe there is a problem with your paycheck today, please fill out and submit the attached Employee Inquiry Form to NPS. Completed forms are to be forwarded to: npscc1@nps.k12.nj.us. You can also email Mike Maillaro at mmaillaro@newarkteachersunion.com.

3) DACA- Thousands of DACA-mented teachers are at risk of losing their jobs with Trump's repeal. Congress must act quickly to protect DACA-mented members of our union and our communities. Please call your representatives and tell them to support the bipartisan Dream Act of 2017.

Sign the petition at http://aft.to/DreamAct

3) Hurricane Harvey - When Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey, AFT immediately reached out and activated the disaster fund  to help offset expenses for members who lost homes, cars and valuables. As Hurricane Harvey continues to wreak havoc on families across Texas, AFT’s disaster fund will be there again, helping members rebuild and get on with their lives. AFT cannot do it alone, they need our help.

Please make a tax-deductible donation to the AFT Disaster Relief Fund.

AFT Texas also set up a page to accept donation to provide direct relief to affected members.

4) Student Debt Survey – Several of our members have reached out to us about their Student Debt. On our website, we posted information about Student Debt Forgiveness.

In addition, the Newark Teachers Union works closely with NJ Citizen Action on a variety of issues. They are currently doing a Student Debt Survey. We recommend filling it out.

For more information, contact Beverly Brown Ruggia, NJCA’s Financial Justice Organizer, at 973-643-8800 ext.239 and beverly@njcitizenaction.org

In Solidarity,