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This is the AFT website for the adjunct union chapter at Camden County College campuses in Blackwood, Camden and Cherry Hill, New Jersey. We are the CCC chapter of United Adjunct Faculty of New Jersey AFT #2222. Our original union, Camden County College Adjunct Faculty Federation (CCCAFF), was founded in 1995 to represent the economic, social and professional interests of part-time contingent faculty. It is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the international union of the AFL-CIO. In 2009, the NJ AFT community college locals voted to join together to form a super local called United Adjunct Faculty of New Jersey (UAFNJ). The Camden County Chapter of UAFNJ will continue to maintain local autonomy in dealing with the College. At the moment, including the members from Camden County College, the nine member chapters have more than 3000 members in UAFNJ.
The college and the CCC Chapter of UAFNJ agreed on a new contract in Spring 2010. The contract will be up on the web site shortly.
Message from President Elaine Bobrove
United Adjunct Faculty of New Jersey, AFT #2222
September 2010
Dear UAFNJ Member:
“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times…”
As we start the fall semester, these words apply as much today as they did when Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities. There is much to feel good about. Unionization has earned us regular pay raises and increased protections and job security. The formation of United Adjuncts has brought more than 3000 adjuncts together and has given adjuncts recognition in the state and in the AFT. The joining of Rutgers and the College Council with the State Fed, making a larger and stronger restructured State Fed, gives us the resources to become a voice that cannot be ignored.
And yet, although in some colleges enrollment is up, in others it is down. Teachers and professionals who used to look at adjuncting as a way to make “extra” money now are relying on their adjunct positions to be a lifeline when other jobs have disappeared or become part time. Adjuncts who had been teaching the same courses for many years are now finding that those courses are no longer as available as they once were. Many chapters go to the bargaining table and find that administrations are trying to rein in adjunct salaries and rights rather than expand them. All of this is in a political climate that is anti-union and anti-teacher.
Despite this, as a union, we face the school year with more resources than we have ever had before. The amalgamation of the unions representing preK-12, community colleges, four-year colleges and research universities has given the state federation not only members, but also an increase in staff with the ability to let Trenton know we are here. All of the unions, through AFTNJ now share the same lobbyist, plus a researcher, a political specialist and a media specialist. The reorganization of the state fed into two divisions, preK-12 and higher ed means that we are meeting with legislators and testifying in Trenton on issues that affect all of us. AFT is putting together a media campaign to demonstrate our opposition to the “Governor’s Toolkit.”
What can you do? Show Trenton and the colleges that we stand together. Let your voice be heard on issues of concern to all of us. When the call goes out to let your legislators know how you feel, tell them loudly and firmly that you care about New Jersey and its students and that education needs the commitment and resources of the state to be effective.
Remember, you are not alone. AFT is now more than 30,000 strong in New Jersey. Stand up and be counted.
In Solidarity,
Elaine Bobrove, President
United Adjunct Faculty of New Jersey
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*Help us blow our own horn! If you did something noteworthy this past semester, let us know so we can include it in our next newsletter. We know how good we are; tell your colleagues and everyone else! Send your news item by clicking on the "webmaster" link.
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