Early Childhood Educators at Jewish Community Center in
New Jersey Vote Three to One To Join American Federation of Teachers

Washington, D.C.— By an overwhelming majority, head teachers, assistant teachers and child care providers in the early childhood education department at the Betty and Milton Katz Jewish Community Center in Cherry Hill, N. J., have voted to become part of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

"We are thrilled to welcome the early childhood education professionals from the Katz JCC Early Education Federation of Teachers into the AFT family," said Americo J. Pezza, president of the New Jersey Federation of Teachers, a state affiliate of the AFT.

"Being part of AFT will help all of us provide an even better learning environment for all of our students," added Cindy Pickus, a transitional kindergarten teacher and elected spokesperson for the Katz JCC Early Education Federation of Teachers. "Now, we will have easy access to professional development courses, the latest research in early childhood education and a network of thousands of other early childhood specialists."

The April 23 election was presided over by Rabbi Bernard Rothman, a neutral third party jointly chosen by labor and management to certify the votes. Forty-five educators in the 62-person unit voted for union representation, and 14 voted against it.

"There is a strong tradition in the Jewish community of respecting the rights of workers to form and to join unions," said Avram B. Lyon, executive director of the Jewish Labor Committee. "This vote is a natural continuation of that tradition."

"The Katz JCC educators are perfect examples of how the labor movement helps people of all races, religions and walks of life come together for their common good," said Donald Norcross, president of the Southern New Jersey AFL-CIO Central Labor Council.

"The union is good for the employer and the employees," said Elba Villarini, a head teacher for the toddler room at the Katz JCC. "Being part of a teachers union allows parents and other teachers to know that we take early childhood education seriously."

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The AFT represents more than 1.3 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals and other school support employees, higher education faculty, nurses and other healthcare workers, and state and local government employees.