I asked Joe D’Agostino, who set up our web site, how many hits the site is getting. He said that the week of August 27 was the busiest week the web site has ever seen by a great margin – 981 pages viewed. The previous week there were 153 pages viewed. Members who check the site, now know who is at the table, where they met, how long they met, and some general areas of discussion. We do not usually include details about the discussion at the table so that the members do not argue among themselves and split the group. I think that the web site is doing what we had hoped – it is keeping the members informed.

The ACCC Education Association is the only association in New Jersey where all four independent bargaining units coordinate the negotiations, grievances, and social events. In addition, it is the only college association that has a web site. One problem with the web site is that we are learning by doing and making mistakes. A couple of people on the Unity Negotiating Team have criticized a couple of pieces that I wrote. They felt that those articles were personal and unprofessional. So in the future, I will attempt to strengthen my internal censor. Most of us work hard, like what we do, and perform well. Some of us, however, get worked up when we feel we are being “dissed” by the Board’s offer. Will Parsons, Unity Negotiating Team Coordinator.