In Memoriam - Council mourns the death of President Nicholas “Nick” Yovnello
New Jersey General Assembly Resolution on the passing of Nicholas Yovnello (PDF)
The Council suffered a great loss this past weekend when President Nick Yovnello succumbed to injuries sustained in a car accident in Washington Township, NJ on Saturday, July 7, 2012. His aunt, Sara Franks, also died in the crash. The entire Council/AFT NJ State Federation and higher education labor community is in deep shock over the tragic loss of its long-time leader.
Nick was born in 1947 and raised in Camden, NJ. He graduated from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) in 1969 with a B.A. in Secondary Education and History and went on to earn graduate degrees in Library Science, Information Science and Labor History. At the time of his death, he was Assistant Director/Professor in the Campbell Library at Rowan.
(To pause slide show, move mouse over photo)
Nick became active in the labor movement a few years after he began his career at Glassboro State College in 1969. In 1971, he was elected Secretary to the Glassboro State College Education Association, but then played an active role in steering the Glassboro faculty from the Education Association towards the AFT. In 1973, once the protracted certification battle at the newly formed Public Employee Relations Commission ended in the formation of the Council of New Jersey State College Locals, AFT, AFL-CIO, Nick became a Council delegate — at a time when the Council had a mere 417 members in eight locals. Since then, Nick became a widely respected voice both within and outside New Jersey’s labor movement and was recognized for his ability to build bridges between the diverse communities that impacted the future of higher education in New Jersey. The New Jersey AFL-CIO issued a statement on Nick’s passing saying, “While this comes as a shock to us all, we can take solace in the fact that Nick made a positive difference in the lives of many, and leaves a legacy of strength and wisdom to guide his union into the future. Nick was a fine man, a gentleman, dedicated trade unionist, and he will be missed.”
Before assuming the Council presidency in 1997, Nick served as the Vice President of the Federation of Rowan College Educators (F.O.R.C.E.) in 1977, 1993 and 1999 and as the Local’s President from 1993 to 1999. In addition to his union roles at Rowan, Nick served his institution in other ways as well. He chaired the University Senate Ethics Committee, the Sabbatical leave Committee, Tenure and Re-contracting and Budget Committees and served on the University Senate for an unprecedented twenty-five years. In fact, Nick was the only person ever elected to both the University Senate and Union President at Rowan.
When Nick was elected Council President in 1997, he had two immediate goals: to build on the Council’s reputation as an advocate for affordable and quality higher education in New Jersey and to secure a first contract for the newly organized adjunct faculty. As to the former, Nick spearheaded lobbying efforts that saw the restoration of salary transfer funds and additional funding for the base budgets of the State colleges/universities. In the latter case, Nick and former senior staff representative Tom Wirth assisted the Council’s negotiating team in an extremely hard bargaining environment to win a contract that established employee rights and a salary settlement that succeeded in making up for the many years during which adjuncts went without pay raises. Tom Wirth captured Nick’s legacy to the Council by saying, “The death of Nick Yovnello is a profound loss for all of us personally, and for the Council as an organization. He was its institutional memory. With incredible patience he listened, cajoled, and responded to dissonant views within the organization while effectively presenting a strong and determined position to the State, the Legislature, and the public. He astutely navigated Trenton's political shoals. His integrity was unquestioned. Nick Yovnello exemplified the very best in labor union leadership; his example will surely inspire those he left behind.”
A close Rowan colleague and current Local AFT President Karen Siefring remembers him as one of the finest individuals she has ever known. In a 2005 Voice interview she credits Nick with championing the advancement of scholarship and teaching missions at Rowan, stating that “through his distinguished service, [Nick] contributed to the institution’s national profile.”
Nick’s Council and AFT brothers and sisters, as well as Council Staff are deeply saddened beyond words by his passing. Retired Staff Representative Barbara Hoerner met Nick when she was an assistant professor at Rowan and formed a lasting friendship. “I have so many fond memories of Nick, it’s hard to know what to mention. In 1978, I went to Rowan, or Glassboro State as it was then known, as an Assistant Professor in Business assigned to teach Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining. I immediately joined the local union and met Nick.” She considered Nick a great friend and a “really great guy to be around.” The Council staff counted on Nick for help and guidance — he had a great deal of experience in all things union and was very savvy about the day-to-day issues with which the staff had to deal. Of course, he was the go-to person on librarian issues and he was instrumental in helping Barbara secure a Librarian salary upgrade in 1994. She remembers that working with Nick during contract negotiations was exciting — his “street smarts” and political acumen were on full display.
Council Executive Director Steve Young worked very closely with Nick over the past nine years on numerous complex matters that arose for the Council. They also shared negotiation spokesperson duties at Nick's request over the last several statewide negotiations. Young also worked meticulously with Nick on important legislative issues facing the Council and public employees. Working so closely together they became lasting friends and often shared stories about their pasts and other facets of life not related to union business to decompress from the stress of the concerns being worked on. Young stated “Nick was one of the kindest and most honest persons I’ve ever known. He cared deeply about the members he represented . He became a good friend of mine and ranks as one the best labor leaders I have known and been privileged to work with over the decades. He will be sorely missed by all of us.”
In addition to his dedication to the Council, Nick enthusiastically supported the Health Professionals Allied Employees (HPAE) of AFT/NJ. HPAE President Ann Twomey stated, “HPAE has worked closely with CNJSCL – for 15 years we have been closely allied through AFT/NJ in promoting quality standards in higher education and health care. On a personal note, Nick was a long-time colleague and friend. He was always a strong voice of reason and a steady, effective union leader. I mourn the loss of a gentle, kind and generous man who devoted his life to the service of others - I mourn the loss of a good friend.”
Nick also represented the Council at AFT National where he served as a committee member on the Higher Education Program and Policy Council (PPC). AFT National President Randi Weingarten commented that “Nick’s passion was great, his vision was clear and his commitment was steadfast. His life’s work stands as a true testament to his dedication as an educator and a union member.”
Nick had received numerous service awards over the years but he was humbly taken by surprise when in 2005, at its annual awards dinner, New Jersey Citizen Action honored him for his “unyielding efforts on behalf of workers and his dedication to a quality higher education in New Jersey.”
Nick had interests outside higher education. He volunteered for the New Jersey Council on Adult Literacy and was one of the founders of the Lindenwold Public library. He chaired the Elk Township Planning and Zoning Board and served as a Gloucester County Democratic Committeeman. These roles gave Nick the opportunity to cultivate political relationships that at times benefited the Council’s legislative agendas. Upon hearing of Nick’s death, Senate President Steve Sweeney said “Nick was a true gentleman and a friend. Even when we disagreed, it was always on friendly and amicable terms. New Jersey has lost a true great one. He will be sorely missed. My condolences go out to his friends and family”.
In his free time, Nick loved to read and listen to books on tape. He was also an avid coin and stamp collector and when he knew of friends who were planning trips abroad he would ask them to bring back stamps or coins from their travels.
Nick will be deeply missed by all of us who had the honor of serving with him at the Council but he will be most profoundly missed by his family members, to whom Nick gave his heart and soul. Nick was considered the head of the family after his father died and lovingly took care of his mother through a long illness until her passing in 2008. To his brother Len and his significant other Maureen Couch, who shared Nick’s home and called him their best friend; to his sister Christine who could always count on Nick’s unconditional love and support and to Nick’s younger brother Anthony who looked up to Nick for guidance throughout his life, please know we share in your loss and that you have our deepest sympathy.
Yovnello’s family asked that well-wishers make donations to the Rowan University Foundation - Nicholas Yovnello Scholarship Fund, in lieu of flowers. The Fund’s website can be found at https://giving.rufoundation.org.
Condolences can also be sent to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) office, care of Karen Siefring, at siefring@rowan.edu.
Since we heard the tragic news of Nick’s passing on July 7th, the Council has received an outpouring of condolences. See below to read some tributes from Nick’s colleagues and friends.
AFT President Randi Weingarten on the Passing of Nicholas Yovnello,
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our brother, Nicholas Yovnello, and our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family, who tragically also lost a beloved aunt as a result of the same accident.
“It has been a privilege for the AFT to work with Nick and the Council of New Jersey State College Locals in their efforts to ensure that higher education faculty and staff are treated professionally, to help their students and to strengthen their communities. This is an immense loss not only for the council, but also for all of AFT New Jersey. Nick’s passion was great, his vision was clear and his commitment was steadfast. His life’s work stands as a true testament to his dedication as an educator and a union member.
“The AFT will honor Nick’s life and work through continuing his ongoing and steadfast commitment to improving the lives and futures of working men and women.”
Hetty Rosenstein - CWA NJ Director
I was privileged to work with Nick Yovnello on many campaigns, over many years. Legislation, rallies, picket lines: you name it, Nick was there. Nick was never confused about which side he was on. There was "Us" - all of us working people who are trying to hold on - and there was "Them" - those bosses who are trying to eliminate our unions, our rights, and our tenuous hold on the middle class. I'll never forget being in a foxhole with Nick when we were trying to fight the pension benefits bill. He was smart, tough, driven and true. He wasn't just my friend, he was my comrade. Rest in Peace, dear Brother.
Sandra Schroeder, president of AFT Washington and chair of the AFT Higher Education Program and Policy Council (PPC) and an AFT vice president
In the years I knew Nick through the PPC, I was always impressed by how he gave his all for his union. He was constantly thinking about the issues his union was facing and the best ways to move forward for the good of the members. We will miss him.
Elaine Bobrove, President, United Adjunct Faculty of New Jersey/AFT, member, AFT Higher Education Program and Policy Council
Nick was a man of staunch principles who cared greatly about those he loved--family, friends, colleagues, his union brothers and sisters; he spent his life searching for equitable responses which advanced human rights. Many of us have been the fortunate recipients of this caring. He walked through the world leaving it and us better for his being there.
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO Mourns the Passing of Nick Yovnello
Nick will be remembered for his skill as a negotiator, kindness, unwavering commitment to the labor movement, and most of all as our union brother. It was Nick’s leadership that resulted in the organizing and winning of union benefits and protections for the adjunct faculty at New Jersey’s state colleges and universities.
While this comes as a shock to us all, we can take solace in the fact that Nick made a positive difference in the lives of many, and leaves a legacy of strength and wisdom to guide his union into the future. Nick was a fine man, a gentleman, dedicated trade unionist, and he will be missed. Please be sure to keep Nick’s family in your thoughts and prayers and hope for the quick and full recovery of those injured in the accident.
In Unity
Charles Wowkanech, President
Laurel Brennan, Secretary-Treasurer
AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera
Nick Yovnello was a problem-solver with a vision for improving access to higher education for students throughout New Jersey. We will continue to echo his call for development of a real strategic plan with strong state support for higher education.Nick understood the importance of politics from the local to the national level. He often told the story of the one election he was physically unable to vote where the local committee candidate lost by one vote. ‘Every vote matters,’ was his conclusion.
Nick served in many important roles within the union. He sought to foster unity within AFT, bringing members together to work for the common good and build solidarity with the broader AFL-CIO labor movement. While we mourn losing Nick, we are better for having known him and will continue the legacy of his valuable contribution to higher education and unionism.
The NJ State Industrial Union Council Joins the AFL- CIO and AFT In Mourning the Passing of Nick Yovnello
We are filled with deep sadness from the sudden tragic loss of Brother Nick Yovnello, who passed away in a car accident Saturday afternoon. Nick served as President of the Council of New Jersey State College Locals and was a dedicated union leader for over 40 years.
Nick will be remembered for his skill as a negotiator, kindness, unwavering commitment to the labor movement, and most of all as our union brother. It was Nick’s leadership that resulted in the organizing and winning of union benefits and protections for the adjunct faculty at New Jersey’s state colleges and universities.
While this comes as a shock to us all, we can take solace in the fact that Nick made a positive difference in the lives of many, and leaves a legacy of strength and wisdom to guide his union into the future. Nick was a fine man, a gentleman, dedicated trade unionist, and he will be missed.
In Solidarity,
Carol Gay, President
Michael Klein, Executive Director - NJ Association of State Colleges & Universities
I was terribly saddened to hear the news about Nick. His loss is a blow to all of higher education in New Jersey. I wanted you to see the message below that I sent to our presidents yesterday. They join me in expressing our deep condolences, and they offer their thoughts and prayers to Nick’s family.
Statement to College/University Presidents
Dear Presidents,
Many of us knew Nick a long time and admired his passionate advocacy for the faculty. He was a skilled negotiator, both in reaching a consensus on his side of the table among the faculty and staff leaders, and ultimately with the governor’s Office of Employee Relations and our side of the table. The tentative agreement reached with the AFT last Monday is a testament to Nick’s abilities.
Kevin McGovern - Mets Schiro & McGovern, LLP (Council Attorney)
On behalf of all of us at Mets, Schiro & McGovern, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Nick Yovnello, including all those at Rowan University, the American Federation of Teachers and the Council of New Jersey State College Locals who knew and loved him. Nick was an extraordinary man and a profoundly talented labor leader who never stopped striving to make life better for his members. He was an outspoken advocate not just for his union, but for the principles of right, and justice, and fairness in which he so firmly believed. He was a big man with a big heart, but his gentle nature never stopped him from raising his voice in defense of the working class.
At the bargaining table, Nick was the one to whom we all turned when it came time to articulate our hopes, our fears, our wants and our needs, and he never disappointed. It is that voice – railing against inequity one moment, booming in laughter the next - that will be most sorely missed.
God, who knows all things, surely understood that we would have been lost without Nick, calling him home only after Nick had seen us through these most difficult final days of negotiations. It now falls to us to honor his memory by continuing his life’s work as best we are able. We are better for having known him, and will continue to be guided by his example. May he rest in peace.