Monday, February 5, 2024

The AFT Local 1904 Community Mourns the Death of Dr. Kenneth Brook


It is with immense sadness that AFT Local 1904 shares news of the death of Dr. Kenneth Brook, Professor of Anthropology Emeritus. 


Ken was Faculty in the Department of Anthropology for 49 years, starting in September 1970 and retiring in February of 2019. He was active in all aspects of our community, serving as a Faculty member, Department Chair, and University Senator in each of the last 5 decades. In addition, Ken was one of the original members of the American Federation of Teachers Local 1904, holding the position of Chief Negotiator for over 35 years. In all of these endeavors, he left a lasting legacy for the Faculty, Staff, Librarians, and Specialists. He was devoted to our students, and to strengthening their education and sense of self through civically engaged learning. He was resolute in his passion for social justice, steadfast advocacy for the underdog, and unwavering commitment to a diverse student body through affordable education.  Ken was an outstanding leader whose vision touched all areas of the University.


On Wednesday, February 7th, at 11:30am, there will be a public memorial service at the Cedar Park Cemetery Chapel followed by a short graveside service and internment. Directions | Cedar Park and Beth El Cemeteries


It would have been Ken’s desire, should you wish to honor his legacy, that you make a donation to the Union Scholarship that bears his name. To donate to Becker-Keenen-Moore-Brook-Uhia-Waller Scholarship, go to the Montclair State Giving Websiteand when it asks for a “Designation" choose “Other" and enter "Local 1904 Union Scholarship”—then follow the prompts in Memory of Ken Brook.

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

We Have A Tentative Statewide Agreement!

 


The Local 1904 is pleased to share the exciting news that our Council of New Jersey State College Locals (CNJSCL) has reached a Tentative Agreement (2023-2027) with the State! CNJSCL has also made available a summary/highlight document to provide an overview of the significant provisions in the Tentative Agreement.


We are proud of our Local in light of what we consider to be one of the most significantly favorable Agreements in many years. We are particularly grateful to the six members of our negotiating team, who traveled to and from Trenton multiple times, diligently representing us at the Statewide level. We must further acknowledge that the fruits of these efforts are a direct result of the strength that our Members have afforded our Union. Please know how much membership has contributed to the results we have been able to achieve, and how vital it will remain as we continue to work on behalf of our community's labor interests in the years to come.


In Solidarity,

AFT Local 1904

Sunday, October 1, 2023

AFT Locals 1904 and 6025 at Homecoming 2023!

On Saturday, September 30th, the AFT Local 1904 proudly joined with AFT Local 6025 (Adjuncts) and other members of our campus community in celebration of Montclair State University's Homecoming 2023! Two two AFT Locals shared a table on Chapin Drive, with the AFT Local 1904 end staffed by our Office Manager extraordinaire, Deb Corasio, along with Treasurer Mike Heller, and President Rich Wolfson. We welcomed alums and current students, members of their family, and other members of our community, and gave out AFT t-shirts, pens, pencils, key chains, and other Union swag. Like last year, we shared important information with current students and their families about the Local's scholarship opportunities. Thank you to everyone who supported us--and it was great to see those of you who stopped by to say "hi"!

Photo Above, left to right: Deb Corasio, 1904 Office Manager; Mary Wallace, 6025 President; John Garett, 6025 Membership & Vice President At-Large; James Kennedy, 6025 Vice President At-Large; Laureen LeFever, 6025 1st Vice President & Membership; Mike Heller, 1904 Treasurer

Sunday, May 7, 2023

Congratulations to the 2023 AFT Local 1904 Scholarship Recipients!

The AFT Local 1904 is very pleased to have awarded nine scholarships in 2023! Recipients were acknowledged virtually (via Zoom) at our Membership Meeting on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023.


Pictured above are our Scholarship recipients (top then bottom rows, left to right) Ana Rita MateoOmayma JabaraSophia UpeguiJoseph GiblinLaila Garrett, Noelle Whitaker, Joey Staltari, Joely DeMonte, and Caroline Cook. Recipients are all undergraduate students in various majors, in good academic standing, with strong scholastic aspirations, and who have demonstrated that they would substantively benefit from the support of the scholarship as a resource. 

Our heartfelt thanks to members of the 2023 Scholarship Committee: Catherine Baird, Lisa GarrityKaren Mingo-Campbell, and Carmen Reyes-Cuevas. Also, sincere thanks to: All those who provided recipients letters of recommendation for our students; Local Office Manager, Deb Corasio, for helping to manage the scholarship applications; and the Officers of the Local 1904for supporting the Scholarship Committee's award recommendations. 

The BKMBUW/Yovnello/Nunn Scholarship Fund was originally established in 1997. The Scholarship currently honors Catherine A. Becker, James P. Keenen III, Joseph T. Moore, Kenneth H. Brook, Anita E. Uhia,and Connie Waller, all former faculty and active union members, as well as Nicholas C. Yovnello and Ellen Kearns Nunn, all of whom were deeply committed to the principles of collective bargaining and to helping our students who demonstrate a significant economic need. The Nunn award is  reserved specifically for students who are single parents.

Please consider contributing to the fund, including in another's name (loved one, etc.). To give to the Fund, please do so via this link (select designation of “other,” and indicate that the donation is for “AFT Local 1904 BKMBUW/Yovnello/Nunn Scholarship Fund”).

Congratulations to all nine 2023 recipients!