Takeaway: We didn’t get our bill to permanently fix the state’s inflated fringe rate passed, but we got Governor Murphy’s attention and a commitment from him to work with us to fix the fringe rate over the next six months.
Dear colleague,
We’ve got bad news and good news.
Our bill to fix New Jersey’s inflated fringe rate that harms research at Rutgers fell short this legislative term. We didn’t get the Assembly to hold a final vote on the bill, despite nearly unanimous votes in the full Senate and two Assembly Committees. But we did get the attention of Governor Murphy directly. Thanks to all the members who testified and attended hearings and lobbying in Trenton, and who sent emails and made phone calls.
Along the way, the State did increase annual support to offset the high fringe rate to $70 million in the 2023–24 fiscal year—double the offset funding from last year. But this is not a permanent fix. We need to keep working to move away from temporary band-aids and win a fringe rate that is based on benefits our members actually receive. If the fringe rate isn’t fixed, Rutgers will lose grants, and talented researchers will study and pursue their careers elsewhere.
Last week, we pressed for a final Assembly vote with member emails, phone calls, and lobbying in Trenton. One of us, Todd, spoke individually with Governor Murphy, and Donna Chiera, president of AFT New Jersey, spoke to Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. Ultimately, AFT President Randi Weingarten also talked to Governor Murphy. Though Murphy wouldn’t commit to supporting the current bill, he did agree to meet with us and work with our unions to fix the issue.
Those discussions could result in a new bill that he supports and that could move quickly through the legislature. Alternatively, we could find an administrative fix that would have the same result—a new fringe rate for New Jersey public colleges and universities based on the ABP retirement plan we participate in, not the state pension fund. This would be fair and accurate, cover all funding sources, and be competitive, predictable, and sustainable going forward.
We would have liked our legislation to pass the Assembly and the Governor to commit to signing it this week. But we did good work, and we have a plan for the next six months to resolve this issue to our members’ satisfaction.
This effort shows the importance of our unions’ legislative work. If you’d like to get involved in the Legislative Committee and help us build political power, email aaup@rutgersaaup.org, and let us know!
In solidarity,
Todd, Catherine, and Matt
Todd Wolfson, President, AAUP-AFT
Dr. Catherine Monteleone, President, AAUP-BHSNJ
Matthew Buckley, Legislative Committee Chair, Rutgers AAUP-AFT