MONTCLAIR, N.J. (AP) — Faculty and staff at nine of New Jersey's public colleges and universities are calling for a new contract.

They staged rallies on Wednesday to draw attention that more than 10,000 faculty, staff and librarians across the state have been working without a contract since July 2015.

The College Council-American Federation of Teachers says members are bringing home less pay because costs have risen.

The union represents faculty at The College of New Jersey, William Paterson, Kean, New Jersey City, Montclair State, Ramapo, Rowan, Stockton and Thomas Edison State universities.