A MAJOR VICTORY FOR ADJUNCT FACULTY
Governor
signs bill permitting adjunct and part-time faculty and staff to
participate in the State Health Benefits Program
On September 4, 2003 Governor McGreevey signed into law A-3424/S-988, which allows adjunct and part-time faculty and other State employees to purchase health benefits coverage in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP).
Representatives of the Council and adjunct faculty attended
the signing in the Governor’s office.
Adjunct and part-time faculty and part-time State employees have eagerly
awaited the Governor’s signing A3424. A3424, also known as S988 before
the bills were joined, provides that:
Part-time State employees, including part-time and adjunct
faculty at public institutions of higher education who are enrolled in
a State-administered retirement system, are eligible to participate in
the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP). They may purchase health benefits
coverage in the State managed care plan, NJPLUS, for themselves and their
dependents. The State Health Benefits Commission will establish rules
and regulations concerning the enrollment and termination of coverage
of employees and faculty members in the SHBP. It will also set up the
procedures for the remitting premiums to the State via payroll deduction.
The act takes effect until January 1, 2004. A last minute floor amendment changed the effective date from “immediately” to January 2004 to accommodate the need to set up the rules and regulations to implement the legislation.
“The Council was involved in this legislation from day one. It found sponsors to introduce the bill and kept the pressure on until it was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor. The Council’s drive to secure health benefits coverage for its part-time and adjunct faculty reflects its profound commitment to improving their status,” stated Council President Nicholas Yovnello. “The Council thanks A3424’s sponsors, Assemblypersons Bonnie Watson-Coleman, Robert J. Smith, and Alfred E. Steele and Senators Shirley Turner and Gary Furnari, who sponsored the companion bill, S-988, in the Senate. Our thanks also go to Governor McGreevey forrecognizing the need to bring adjunct/part-time faculty and part-time State employees into the State Health Benefits Program. With this legislation as a foundation, four years from now, we will be able to negotiate with the State over a fund that will reimburse participants for part of their costs.
To review the NJ PLUS plan description and a chart showing your cost to participate, go to http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/shbp.htm and then scroll down for more information. Choose the new 2004 monthly rates and NJ Plus. If you have questions about any of the programs, please call the Council staff at 908-964-8476.
Representatives
of the Council and adjunct faculty attended the signing in the Governor’s
office.
Pictured L. To R. Are: Kathleen Henderson (President, Kean Adjuncts AFT Local 6024), Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman, Bob Angelo (AAUP), Patrick Nowlan (Rutgers AAUP Staff Rep.), Rudy Bell (President - Rutgers AAUP), Council President Nicholas Yovnello, Governor James McGreevey, Donald Silberman (behind Governor), Paul Rogozin (Rowan), Karen Thompson (Rutgers AAUP Staff), Senator Shirley Turner, Bennett Muraskin (Council Staff Rep.), Leslie Silberman (AFT NJCU member), Dan O’Connor (President - NJ State AAUP).
