Overall, union membership in New Jersey grew by more than 3,000 in early June.
At Rutgers University, around 2,000 workers, including chefs, administrative assistants, accountants and program directors, joined the American Federation of Teachers. The workers achieved unionized status following the enactment of a state law allowing public employees to form unions by signing cards indicating their support. This reform, called “card check,” was won by union struggle.
The new AFT members fought hard for months to gain union recognition. They faced a well-oiled anti-union campaign by the university administration, which eventually was forced to sign a neutrality agreement in January.
The victory comes after 2,650 workers at Bally’s Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City, and Trump Plaza voted to join the United Auto Workers union since March.
