Dear colleague,
The Trump administration and numerous state governments have banned gender-affirming health care for trans children up to age 17, and several states are considering banning transgender health care for people up to age 26. Trans people’s passports and other documents are being questioned, and the very definition of gender is being dictated by right-wing government officials.
In this climate, we want our trans, nonbinary, gender non-conforming, and otherwise queer members to know their rights. All members of the Rutgers community are welcome to attend our Union Education Committee’s Zoom workshop on Friday, April 4, at 3 p.m. Registration is required—click here to register and get the Zoom link.
Derek Demeri, Esq. (Lecturer, Camden Law School) will present on NJ state anti-discrimination laws and workplace protections, and Dr. Kris Scorsone (SAS-NB History) will discuss community resources and mutual support. You’ll also learn about the protections in our union contracts and the university’s name change policy. And there will be time for questions and discussion!
In solidarity,
Union Education Committee, Rutgers AAUP-AFT
Upcoming Events and Actions
- Add your name to a union petition (if you haven’t already) that calls on the Rutgers administration to protect the jobs and livelihoods of the people who make our university work. You’ll also have a chance to tell us how you’d like to engage with your colleagues.
- All-Member Town Hall Meeting – Monday, March 31, 6 p.m., on Zoom
Join us so we can talk with each other and discuss our unions’ strategy going forward. Fighting back against the attacks by the Trump administration will take all of us. Click here to register for the link. - Faculty Speak Week – March 31–April 4
For one week, in classrooms and online courses, union members will take a few minutes of class time (or share info on Canvas for online classes) to call attention to how the federal attacks on higher education will shape students’ learning conditions and our ability to teach. Click here to tell us you’ll participate, and we will follow up with a folder of resources and training materials. - National Planning Call for the April 8 Day of Action – Tuesday, April 1, 6 p.m., on Zoom
Join us for a national call to plan our upcoming day of action, featuring our former colleague Naomi Klein. The Day of Action is being organized by a wide coalition of unions. Click here to register. - HELU Forum on “How the Department of Education’s Destruction Impacts Higher Education” – Tuesday, April 1, 8 p.m., on Zoom
Come to a Zoom meeting led by impacted workers and union leaders to discuss what higher education loses when the Department of Education is destroyed and how we can respond collectively. We will provide details on organizing next steps! Click here to register. - Coalition of Rutgers Unions Gubernatorial Candidates Forum – Wednesday, April 2, 6 p.m., on Zoom
Who we elect as NJ governor this November is key to blocking the federal government’s attacks and making sure the state invests in our members, students, and communities during the next four years. Click here to register for the link. - Day of Action to Save Research, Health Care and Education – Tuesday, April 8, Newark, Details TBA
Save the date for a rally we’re planning to hold in Newark in conjunction with a National Day of Action called by Labor for Higher Education. We’re working with other unions to unite educators from pre-K to higher ed and social justice organizations to connect with our community in defense of those most vulnerable to attack. - Our website has a new Events Calendar so you’ll always be able to see what’s coming up. You can subscribe to individual events or the whole list so they appear in your personal calendar.
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