It looks unlikely that we will finish negotiations before July 1. It is still possible, however. It is up to the Board. As far as I can see, there are not major language issues on either side that are deal breakers.

The biggest problem in reaching settlement is that the Board is not sure how much money it has. The Board is hoping that the State money that was cut from our budget will be restored, or at least partially restored. NJEA is putting much time and effort into lobbying the State legislature to increase the amount of money for the community colleges. Every year more of the money the College has to function comes from the student. Near the end of August we have a good idea what the September enrollment figures will be. By that time, the financial picture is clearer and the Board wants to finish negotiations and get on with other business. The end of August has been a common time to reach settlement.

One way to quickly finish negotiations is to “roll over the present contacts” and just settle on money issues. What “roll over the present contract” means is to keep the language of the contract as it is except for money issues. Brookdale Community College and Essex Community College have recently rolled over their contracts. No one on either side is proposing that for ACCC.

I do not have the dates of the next negotiations with me, but I think the next session is May 30, next Tuesday. Will Parsons, Coordinator for the Unity Negotiations Team