Justin Zartman, a seasoned UniServ director from Connecticut and a member of the Connecticut Professional Staff Organization, was elected vice president of defense for the National Staff Organization at the 2024 National Staff Organization Representative Assembly in San Francisco.
An NSO director at-large since 2018, Zartman succeeds Mike Boyer of the Washington State Education Association Staff Organization (WEASO), who is retired from the position.
“I am excited to build a bench of advocates and power from within NSO,” said Zartman on his election. “I know I can’t do this job alone and will be reaching out to NSO members to assist in the important work of making sure that every member has proper representation when we encounter bad actors from within management.”
Zartman brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He’s worked closely with the NSO research committee to update its databases and modernize analysis, including membership records, staff union contracts, and arbitration decisions.
He considers Boyer a mentor and a friend. The two collaborated extensively over the past six years for Zartman to learn the intricacies of the position, focusing on securing arbitration victories and bargaining successful contracts for affiliates.
“In 2018, I ran from the RA floor for a seat on the executive committee,” Zartman said. “I think it’s important that NSO members do more than just come to the RA and vote, but also step up and do the work. I ran for vice president of defense because I believe I have the right skill set to defend our members and contracts throughout the country.”
Before joining the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) as a UniServ director, Zartman worked for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). During his tenure at the NLRB, he attended law school at night, a challenging endeavor he credits with enhancing his legal acumen and dedication to labor advocacy.
NSO President Brad Darjean expressed his gratitude for Boyer’s years of service and welcomed Zartman to his new role. “We deeply appreciate the strong foundation Mike Boyer has built for our defense efforts,” Darjean said. “We are excited to welcome Justin Zartman as our new vice president of defense and look forward to the continued excellence he will bring to this crucial role.”
The National Staff Organization serves as a resource for the thousands of staff members who work for the National Education Association and its state affiliates.
With its expertise in negotiations, grievances, and training, NSO is committed to supporting its affiliates in all aspects of their work. For those seeking more information about NSO and the services it provides, visit their website at http://www.nationalstaff.org and follow NSO on social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.
Zartman also shared a personal milestone, revealing that he and his partner, Chad, are getting married in October 2024. “I’ve been told I’m not allowed to schedule any arbitrations the two weeks leading up to the wedding,” he joked. “That’s something I happily agreed to.”