Sweeney Joins With Leaders of National & State Teachers Union for Issues Forum

Special Members Meeting with AFT’s Weingarten & Chiera, AFL-CIO’s Wowkanech Puts Focus on Issues Facing Labor Unions and Educators    

Glassboro – Senate President Steve Sweeney participated in a special members meeting of the American Federation of Teachers today that included Randi Weingarten, the union’s national president, Donna Chiera, the president of AFT New Jersey, NJ AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech and Rowan AFT 2373 President Joseph Basso and educators.

The forum focused on the most important issues facing labor union members and educators and how labor, educators and legislative leaders can work together to advocate for relevant education issues that have a positive impact on students, communities and workers. The issues included the new funding for Pre-K, increased state aid for public education, the restructuring of higher education, plans for a bond act for vocational education and to work towards full funding of the school aid formula with revenue from a millionaires tax. 

Senator Sweeney stressed the importance of following through on the education priorities with a new governor.

“I know that we have shared priorities, that we care about the same things and that we all want a better future for New Jersey,” said Senator Sweeney. “Our goal is world-class institutions that provide a quality education, that fuel economic growth by supporting research and development at our universities, that provide the needed job skills in vocational education and support the educators and workers who make it happen.”

The meeting was held in a building constructed with $40 million from the Building Our Future Bond Act.

“Senate President Steve Sweeney has fought for working families in his district and in New Jersey. While we haven’t agreed with every decision he has made, we have worked together through both our education state affiliate AFT New Jersey and our nurse & health care state affiliate HPAE for increased and equitable funding for public education, expanded pre-K, affordable college, and quality health care,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “Together we can ensure New Jersey sees a public education and economic reset so we can give students and educators in public schools and colleges the support and investment they need and give working people a better life across New Jersey.” 

“When we put the interests of students and educators first, we are best equipped to overcome challenges and move the state forward,” said Donna Chiera, president of the 30,000-member AFTNJ, representing educators from Pre-K through post-doctoral programs. “Investments in Pre-K, the state’s public schools, funds for vocational training and the Building Our Future Bond Act are all investments in our future and the restructuring of higher education has helped to elevate Rowan and Rutgers status as premiere research facilities. In doing so, we continue to do what is best for the AFT members who do their jobs selflessly and effectively every day.”   

The discussion also included the Janus v. AFSCME case on the fair collection of union dues –   which has been taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court – and how labor leaders and public officials need to prepare to react to the court’s decision.