The Union of Rutgers Administrators (URA) consists of more than 2,800 workers classified as “Administrative” who have joined the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the largest union of higher education workers, to form URA-AFT Local 1766.
As dedicated professionals, we started a strong, democratic organization in 2007 to protect our rights and demand the respect we deserve at Rutgers University. A list of job titles included with the URA-AFT bargaining unit at Rutgers University can be found in our union contract.
If you are in the administrative unit at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, Newark, Camden, or offsite, you are eligible to join as a full member of the URA-AFT.
Q. Who is in the Union of Rutgers Administrators bargaining unit?
A. The Union of Rutgers Administrators is more than 2,500 administrative workers across all three Rutgers campuses and in offices in every county in the state.
Q. What is the AFT?
A. The American Federation of Teachers is the largest union in higher education and a strong union of professional workers. For more information, see www.aft.org
Q. My position is funded through a grant. Can I still be in the union and have a contract?
A. Yes. Many unionized workers are grant funded. There are provisions specific to grant funded workers that are negotiated in our contact.
Q. What positions do URA-AFT members work at Rutgers?
A. URA-AFT members work in academic offices help advise, mentor and direct students. Others conduct research to improve community services, social programs or agriculture. The union represents members in the university’s external relations, communications and recreation departments as well as budget and financial service workers. From conducting nutrition and agricultural lessons for children and parents to administering economic development programs, the union’s members are making a significant contribution to the greater society. See a list of job titles represented by URA-AFT from our contract.
Q. When did the union form?
A. Under New Jersey state card check legislation similar to the proposed Employee Free Choice Act approximately 1,900 workers considered “administrative” at Rutgers University voted to unionize June 7, 2007 and affiliate with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.