Wisconsin Representative Cory Mason (D-Racine) and Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) have introduced the Higher Ed, Lower Debt bill, which would allow Wisconsinites to refinance their student loans at lower interest rates.  The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has reported that it could save the average student loan payer $172 per year, while those with higher loans could save much more.  The bill will be receiving a public hearing this Wednesday, October 7, at 10:00 a.m. in room 300SE of the state Capitol.  Come pack the hearing with supporters of affordable higher education!

Teachers and Aides ALERT--Cafeteria lunch lines are a disaster. The NPS terminated dozens of cafeteria workers and now expect YOU to pick up the slack.  REFUSE!

The Newark Teachers Union invites qualified and interested members to apply for the position of Building Representative for your School.

October 5 -- PHONE BANKS will be held on Monday, October 5 in Milwaukee (WI AFL-CIO, 6333 W. Bluemound Rd.) and Madison (Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St. #212) from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to protect Wisconsin's tradition of civil service. Contact Emily Mueller in Milwaukee at ekitchin@wisaflcio.org, or Wendy Strout in Madison at wstrout@aflcio.org with questions or to RSVP.

October 6 -- PUBLIC HEARING.  On Tuesday, October 6, the Senate Committee on Labor and Government Reform will hold a public hearing on the civil service bill. The hearing will begin at 8:30 a.m. in room 411S of the Capitol, and will continue until 6:00 p.m. with a recess between 11:50 and 2:00. If you're able, please share your testimony about why this bill is bad for Wisconsin. (If you're unable to testify, you can still register against the bill on that date.)

The Bill

The issues raised in a recent Baltimore Sun article involving citizens receiving busy signals and facing dropped calls are occurring more frequently now than previously. This Union has pointed out in numerous meetings with the current management that the problem is exacerbated, in large part, by continued understaffing and high employee turnover due to a stressful and heavy workload, coupled with management’s indifference. The City Union of Baltimore is in full support of the efforts by the Baltimore City Council to return the 911 operators and emergency dispatchers to the authority of the Baltimore Police Department.

Read 

"In January 2014, under Mayor Fulop's leadership, Jersey City became the first municipality in New Jersey to enact and guarantee by law earned sick days for its workers. For the Mayor and Council, passing the Jersey City Earned Sick Days Ordinance was the right thing to do as a matter of economics, public health, and conscience."

Read more HERE

Our host & guest Chandri Barat, Executive Director of the Barat Foundation will do a presentation on this year’s Creation Nation & 8th Annual Art & Peace Parade, to be followed by open discussion and the free exchange of ideas and project sharing. 

Colleagues,

1)      NTU’s New Website: The Newark Teachers Union has launched our new website this week at www.ntuaft.com or http://newark.aft.nj.org.  The website is still being expanded, but if you have any suggestions, please reach out to mmaillaro@ntuaft.com.  We also have a new Facebook page and Twitter feed!