Hundreds of URA members, along with Rutgers AAUP-AFT faculty and EOF counselors, collectively demanded management follow our contract in approving Flexible Work Arrangements. When informal problem-solving measures were ignored, three grievances were filed to enforce our contractual rights.
URA members pointed out that the department needs assessments (DNA) needs to reflect the work objectives (delivered both in person and remote) providing excellent service to our students, faculty and communities.
On Friday, Sr. VP Vivian Fernandez sent an email clarifying the process again for supervisors. and extending the time for submissions until Feb. 28, 2026. That extension of the submission deadline was necessary since many departments decided to unilaterally craft their own needs assessments that were not collaborative.
Fernandez wrote to remind managers that “…all flexible work arrangements must be grounded in a formal Department Needs Assessment, which evaluates operational requirements, service expectations and the nature of the work being performed.”
Please report to union@ura-aft.org if your department submits a DNA that did not include your input. We will continue to work together to make this process better.
