an online publication of united university professions the...

EchoTHE

Echo Vol. 4, Vol. 4, No. 2No. 2

An Online Publication of United University Professions n The Nation’s Largest Higher Education Union Working For You

MAKING A POINTNEW DELEGATES SPEAK UP,

STAND OUT AT FALL DA— PAG E 4

15—Snapshots from the chapters12—Honoring UUP members9—Take the survey!

ALSOINSIDE:

To the Point

UUP president urges fellow unionists to Vote NO!A NEW YORK STATE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION WOULD BE DISASTROUS FOR NEW YORKERS.FIND OUT WHY FROM UUP PRESIDENT FRED KOWAL HERE.

2 THE ECHO VOL. 4, NO. 2

WHAT’S INSIDEt h i s i s s u e

12 Two earn union’s Mitchell awardsUUp activists bill Canning and Donna Goodmanreceive this year’s distinguished service award.

13 UUPers feted for courage, servicepart-time colleagues Derrik Decker and rebekahtolley honored with the 2017 Fayez samuel awardfor Courageous service by part-time academic andprofessional Faculty.

ALSO: 3 say No! to a constitutional convention

7 sUNy charter schools update

8 CeW kicks off

9 Contingent academics: take the survey!

11 Negotiations update

14 UUp in the news

15 snapshots from the chapters

16 labor notes

18 NysUt benefits: insurance plans

19 UUp benefits: liberty Mutual

20 sign up to be a member!

Member engagement4—a hefty number of new delegates—including harry espaillat of Farmingdale,on the cover—learn the ins and outsof UUp during the 2017 Fall Delegateassembly in buffalo.

EchoTHE

Echo Vol. 4, Vol. 4, No. 2No. 2

An Online Publication of United University Professions �� The Nation’s Largest Higher Education Union Working For You

MAKING A POINTNNEEWW DDEELLEEGGAATTEESS SSPPEEAAKK UUPP,,

SSTTAANNDD OOUUTT AATT FFAALLLL DDAA—— PPAAGG EE 44

15—Snapshots from the chapters12—Honoring UUP members9—Take the survey!

AALLSSOOIINNSSIIDDEE::

Cover photo byMiChael lisi

FOLLOW UUPON FACEBOOK,TWITTER AND

INSTAGRAM!

Go to www.UUPinfo.orgto sign up today.

THE

EchoVolume 4, Number 2

The Echo is an online publication of UnitedUniversity Professions (UUP), bargaining agent forthe more than 35,000 academic and professionalemployees of the State University of New York.

Contact UUP at P.O. Box 15143, Albany, New York 12212-5143. Telephone (518) 640-6600 ortoll-free at (800) 342-4206. UUP’s Internet siteis www.uupinfo.org. UUP is Local 2190 ofthe American Federation of Teachers (AFL-CIO)and is affiliated with NYSUT and the NationalEducation Association.

UUP STATEWIDE OFFICERS

FREDERICK E. KOWALPresident

THOMAS J. TUCKERVice Presidentfor Professionals

JAMIE F. DANGLERVice Presidentfor Academics

JERILUANNEO’BRYAN-LOSEESecretary/Treasurer

THOMAS C. HOEYMembershipDevelopment Officer

UUP COMMUNICATIONS DEPT.MICHAEL LISIDirector of Communications

KAREN L. MATTISONAssociate Director of Communications

DARRYL MCGRATHCommunications Specialist

ANGELL M. VILLAFAÑECommunications Assistant

AMY SHELDONUUP Intern

VOL. 4, NO. 2 THE ECHO 3

A t a time when many feel likethey are struggling for the soulof the nation, do New Yorkersalso need to struggle for the

soul of the state’s constitution?No, they do not, UUP President Fred

Kowal told a packed audience at SUNY NewPaltz Oct. 16, as he presented the opposi-tion view of a constitutional convention.

“Democracy is under assault,” Kowal said.“We need to focus on where the battles willbe. Right now, what’s happening in Wash-ington, D.C., is destroying democracy.”

While there is a case to be made for amore efficient state government, “NewYork’s constitution doesn’t need to be tam-pered with—certainly not now,” Kowal said.“This is the worst possible time to set inmotion an expensive and disruptive processthat would be in full swing just a few monthsbefore the next presidential election.”

NOT A ‘PEOPLE’S CONVENTION’“It’s not going to be a ‘People’s Conven-

tion,’ as some well-financed people wouldlike us to believe,” Kowal said. “The oddsare stacked against ordinary citizens beingelected as delegates.”

The number of signatures needed to beon the ballot as a potential delegate isvastly higher for people without the partyapparatus to help get signatures. Peoplefrom an established party need 1,000signatures, while individuals independentof a party need 3,000 signatures. At-largecandidates need 15,000 signatures to run.

“No one knows how deals will be struck,”Kowal said. “The money needed to run thisconvention would be better spent for anentirely different purpose. I think New Yorkis being sold a quick-fix scheme.”

Kowal’s opponent in the debate was GeraldBenjamin, a political scientist and formerdean at New Paltz who directs the Benjamin

Center at the college, which supports publicpolicy research. He bases his outspoken sup-port for a constitutional convention on theneed to correct what he calls New York’s“broken government.”

New Paltz Chapter President Beth Wilsonand K.T. Tobin, associate director of theBenjamin Center, co-moderated the debate.

While not disputing that state governmentcould work better at times, Kowal pointedout that even the most functional legislaturewould still have to deal with a federal gov-ernment that is upending policies on healthcare, civil rights and public education.

Great uncertainty also looms around thevaguely defined Republican tax overhaul.All of this upheaval is already affecting theflow of federal money into New York thatis needed for public education and healthcare, including care provided by the SUNYhospitals.

A COSTLY DISTRACTIONIt is estimated that a state constitutional

convention could cost at least $50 million to$100 million. Many of the well-funded right-wing organizations that have pushed an

ultra-conservative agenda in the Trumpadministration could take advantage of aconstitutional convention to press thecauses of the charter school and fossil fuelindustries at the expense of public educa-tion and the constitution’s “Forever Wild”clause that protects public lands fromdevelopment, Kowal said.

“A constitutional convention sounds likethe panacea to all our problems,” Kowal said.“My feeling is that it is a mirage, and a dan-gerous one at that. There would be no trans-parency. There would be no accountability.At the end of the day, the delegates don’thave to answer to the people of New York.”

New Yorkers will vote Nov. 7 on whetherthey want a constitutional convention. If itpasses, delegates would be selected a yearlater, again through the ballot in the generalelection, and a state convention would mostlikely begin in April 2019.

UUP members are working hard to educatevoters about why a constitutional conventionis such a bad idea. For more information andideas on campus activities to oppose theconvention, check out the union’s webpage,Constitutional Convention Info.

BY DARRYL MCGRATH

Constitutional convention an ill-timed distractionConstitutional convention

Vote No! to a constitutional convention.

ANGELLA FORDE

MDO TOM HOEY, LEFT, AND STONY BROOK HSC CHAPTER LEADERS CAROLYN KUBE, BRUCE KUBEAND CHARLES HINES, RIGHT, PLEDGE TO VOTE NO! TO A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION NOV. 7.

NONNO NONO NNO NO

NO

NO NO

N

NO NO

NONONO NO

NONNO NO

NONONONO NO

NONONNO NO

NONONO


Membership 101

Cover story

A n emphasis on organizing and engagement set thetone for the UUP 2017 Fall Delegate Assembly, whichwas striking for its number of new delegates and anattitude of determination and enthusiasm in the face of

heightened attacks on public-sector unions.The focus of the union’s statewide policymaking conventions, held

three times a year, has steadily changed in the last few years. Mem-bers still hold their committee meetings and introduce resolutionsduring the plenary that address internal governance and pressingnational and international events that speak to union ideals of socialjustice and fair working conditions for all.

But this DA, like others in recent years, was marked by a sense oflong-range planning that will help the union not only survive, butthrive in a growing national culture that opposes collective bargaining.UUP’s answer to this coming wave of anti-union pressure and courtchallenges—such as the Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 case scheduledto be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court this session—has beento steadily develop a culture of member engagement.

OPTIMISM CONFRONTS ANTI-UNIONISMUUP President Fred Kowal touched on this change in his plenary

address to the delegates, but injected a strong note of optimisminto his call for continued action. If unions respond with unity andclarity of vision, he said, they will come through these challengesstronger and bolder.

“In these conflicted times, we must see our work as not simplypushing back against dangerous and destructive forces that en-danger all the good work we do in our laboratories, our operatingrooms, our classrooms and our offices,” he told the assembly.“We are engaged in the historic work to remake our world,again and again, over and over, in the image of that hoped-for

place where justice reigns.”This was also the last statewide gathering for

the union before the Nov. 7 vote on whetherNew York should hold a constitutionalconvention. UUP rightly notes that a constitutional convention couldbe dominated behind the scenes by right-wing and well-fundedspecial interests bent on weakening the public education systemand other parts of society important to working people.

“We’re not opposed to many of the specific issues that would beraised in the convention, but a convention that puts all of our rightson the table is not necessary to address these issues,” said JamieDangler, statewide vice president for academics.

SOLIDARITY WITH STRICKEN REGIONSAround spirited discussions of the challenges just ahead, members

raised $2,352 to help Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands follow-ing the destruction of hurricanes Maria and Irma, and Californiaresidents reeling from a series of deadly wildfires. The statewideExecutive Board authorized an additional $1,000 to the relief efforts.

Delegates also sent dozens of e-letters to their elected officialsurging them to oppose a proposed change in federal Disproportion-ate Share Hospital (DSH) funding that could shift hundreds ofmillions of dollars away from SUNY’s public hospitals and healthsciences centers.

Those Medicaid DSH reductions would financially devastate SUNY’sacademic medical and health sciences centers in Brooklyn, Buffalo,Stony Brook and Syracuse. More than 15,000 UUP members work atSUNY’s hospitals and HSCs.

Delegates also approved resolutions that supported Iraqi workers’interests; called for an end to the war in Afghanistan; sent a mes-sage of solidarity to teaching assistants at the University at Buffalo;and sent letters of support to union sisters and brothers in PuertoRico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and California.

ABOVE, SECRETARY/TREASURER JERI O’BRYAN-LOSEE, LEFT, ADDS TO THE DISCUSSION.LOOKING ON ARE VPP TOM TUCKER AND VPA JAMIE DANGLER.RIGHT, NEW DELEGATE CHRIS YUEN OF THE BUFFALO CENTER CHAPTER PROUDLYHOLDS UP A “VOTE NO! CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION” BUTTON AT THE DA.

2017 Fall DA focuses on unity, organizing in tough times

KOWAL

KAREN L. MATTISON PHOTOS

BY DARRYL MCGRATH


A native of Kenya who witnessedthe dissolution of collectivebargaining in Wisconsin, andcarries such a vivid impression

of that event that she came to SUNY with acommitment to unionism.

A new member who had been an organ-izer in the private sector and draws onthat experience for useful lessons in thepublic sector.

A native of the Dominican Republic whowas a Teamster before he joined UUP.

These are just three of the 70-plus first-time members who attended the union’s2017 Fall Delegate Assembly in Buffalo, Oct.13-14—easily twice the usual turnout offirst-timers. Most of them were new dele-gates; a few came as observers who hopeto be elected delegates next time around.Many of them had joined UUP only a yearor two ago.

But whatever their background, a fewcommon threads ran through their conver-sations at their first DA. Almost all of themcited a positive experience with an estab-lished member in their chapter who becametheir mentor, and all of them demonstrateda willingness to offer new ideas and con-structive feedback—a key feature for anew activist who may be called on toidentify and engage other new membersof the union.

ENCOURAGEMENT, ENTHUSIASMFor Harry Espaillat, a former Teamster

who worked in a Long Island warehousebefore becoming an information technologyspecialist at Farmingdale, his mentors wereformer chapter president Yolanda Segarraand former chapter vice president for pro-fessionals Solomon Ayo. Espaillat is now thechapter’s vice president for professionals.

Segarra, he said, “was one of the biggestcatalysts in my decision to become involvedand participate. Now, I’m a delegate.”

Many of the new members came to theDA with ideas to share. These youngactivists want to learn, but they also donot intend to simply sit back and listen.

“The key thing in a one-on-one (conversa-

tion) is not to tell people what the problemsare; they already know. It’s to get them totell us what the problems are,” said ErikForman, a new delegate from Empire StateCollege, who joined UUP two years agowhen he started his new academic positionas a writing teacher. A former organizer inthe private sector, Forman confidently stoodduring the joint meeting of academics andprofessionals to offer that insight.

Lathonda Carver and Yolanda Beckon,new delegates and friends from the inter-preter services department at Upstate Med-ical University, said that their supervisor,Sue Freeman, had urged them to get involved with the union.

“I like to advocate,” Carver said, explainingwhy Freeman thought she had activist po-tential. “I’m all for standing up for myself.”

GEARED FOR FIRST-TIMERSThe DA had a user-friendly schedule for

first-time delegates. Workshops includedtraining for new delegates, a how-to sessionon understanding the DA, and an overviewof bylaws. The DA’s first night offered adinner for new delegates and an after-dinner social hour at the Hyatt Regency

Hotel, where delegates stayed. The nextday, academic and professional delegatesmet together to discuss issues of commonconcern, providing another opportunity forfirst-timers to expand their contacts.

Historically, the two groups had held sepa-rate meetings at the DA, but UUP leaderssay they want to emphasize a collectiveconsciousness of solidarity as UUP bracesfor a U.S. Supreme Court decision in thespring in the case of Janus vs. AFSCMECouncil 31, the latest challenge to theagency fee system in public sector unions.If the decision goes against UUP and otherpublic sector unions—which in all likelihoodit will—they will no longer be able to collectfees equal to dues from nonmembers, butwill still be required to provide the samerepresentation to everyone in the bargain-ing unit.

Given such looming threats, it’s no wonderthat organizing and engagement were themain themes at the DA.

“The whole focus of this DA is activatingour membership so we can work togetherto address their concerns,” said VP forAcademics Jamie Dangler, as she opened

see NEW DELEGATES, page 6

BY DARRYL MCGRATH

KAREN L. MATTISON

OSWEGO CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP OFFICER DOUG HEMPHILL TELLS HIS UNION COLLEAGUES ABOUT THEONE-ON-ONE WORK HE’S DOING AS PART OF NYSUT’S “EDUCATION AUTUMN” ORGANIZING INSTITUTE.

New delegates make their mark at policymaking convention


Cover story

NEW DELEGATES ...continued from page 5the joint academics/professionals meeting ina packed ballroom with VP for ProfessionalsTom Tucker. Tucker told the group that aca-demics and professionals need to worktogether to achieve strength in numbers.

The DA followed a number of dedicatedefforts by UUP—sometimes in conjunctionwith NYSUT—to get nonmembers in thebargaining unit to sign membership cards,to identify new leaders within the union,and to turn new members into organizers.

Specific efforts include the Chapter ActionProject, modeled after NYSUT’s Local ActionProject and designed to help chaptersdevelop a culture of member engagementand activism. The third CAP training sessionwill take place Nov. 2-4 in Cooperstown.

UUP members participated in NYSUT’s“Education Autumn” in September, a week-end of training to help chapter memberslearn how to better communicate, reachout to contingents and do door-to-doorcanvassing—a skill that unionists useduring election season, and to sign upnew members. Around specific projectssuch as these, UUP has steadily pushedto achieve 100 percent membership andengagement, and several thousand people

in the bargaining unit have signed mem-bership cards in the last three years.

TOUGH TIMES FORGE COMMITMENTNew delegates reacted positively to the

tone at the DA. Ashlee Lien of Old West-bury said she was glad to see that her firstDA included workshops that helped herfamiliarize herself with the union. She gotinvolved in UUP in response to a directrequest from her chapter president, MarthaLivingston, but said she had long beenintrigued by the idea of unionism.

“We’re in such a scary time in the union;I think we have to sign up as many peopleas possible,” Lien said.

Dorothy Rombo of Oneonta, an observerwho hopes to be elected as a delegate, islearning not only about unionism but aboutthe cultural and political differences in theUnited States. She was living in Wisconsinin 2011 when Gov. Scott Walker drove

through legislation that curtailed collectivebargaining for public sector unions. Now,she is an assistant professor of humanecology at Oneonta and still shakes herhead in disbelief at what she witnessedin Wisconsin.

“I grew up in Kenya, and my perceptionof the U.S. is that it’s very progressive,” shesaid. “Then I come here, and I discover,‘Wow, there are different states, and somestates are red and some states are blue.’It made me realize nothing is a given.”

She is not discouraged by the state oflabor in the United States; she is energized.

“I love politics and policy,” Rombo said.“This is fascinating.”

RIGHT, DANIELLE COLE, A NEWMARITIME CHAPTER DELEGATE, TAKES

THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE HERTHOUGHTS DURING A JOINT MEETINGOF PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMICDELEGATES. LOOKING ON IS BILL

GIANGARRA OF STONY BROOK HSC.

ABOVE, NEW STONY BROOK HSC CHAPTER DELEGATE ANDY AHMED CHATS WITH MENTORCAROL GIZZI PRIOR TO A MEETING AT THE FALL DA IN BUFFALO.

LEFT, TOP, DOROTHY ROMBO OF ONEONTA, LEFT, ATTENDS THE DA AS AN OBSERVER; SHE HOPESTO BE ELECTED AS A DELEGATE. NEXT TO HER IS EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER BETH E. WILSON.

LEFT, ERIK FORMAN OF EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE DISCUSSES WAYS TO ORGANIZE MEMBERS.

KAREN L. MATTISON

KAREN L. MATTISON

KAREN L. MATTISON

DARRYL MCGRATH


UUP, NYSUT oppose weak charter school certification

I t just doesn’t make sense.At a time when New York state has

consistently called for strict teachercertification standards and long

defended a set of new certification examsthat are more stringent than those in mostother states, why would the SUNY CharterSchools Committee approve a certificationplan that dilutes teacher certification to alaughably weak standard?

UUP and its statewide affiliate NYSUThave been asking that question since July,when the SUNY Charter Schools Institute,without any warning, first introduced aproposal that drastically loosened therequirements to become a teacher inSUNY-authorized charter schools. Now,with the Oct. 11 vote by the CharterSchools Committee of the SUNY Boardof Trustees that endorsed that plan andset it in motion, NYSUT is seeking answersin court.

A CHALLENGE IN COURTNYSUT and its largest K-12 affiliate, the

United Federation of Teachers in New YorkCity, filed a lawsuit in state court in Manhat-tan the day after the Charter Schools Com-mittee vote. The lawsuit challenges the voteon the grounds that the Charter Schools In-stitute is not legally vested with the author-ity to circumvent the state’s teachercertification process.

“Teacher education experts in the stateoppose the implementation of this plan,”said Jamie Dangler, UUP’s statewide vicepresident for academics. She was a leaderin the four-year effort to revise the flawedteacher certification exams, with the help ofUUP teacher education faculty and staff.

“We have worked closely with NYSUT toassess the SUNY Charter Schools Commit-tee’s actions and the dire consequencesthey will have for the teaching professionand teacher education at SUNY campusesand across New York state,” said UUP Presi-dent Fred Kowal. “NYSUT’s lawsuit reflectsthe urgency of our concerns.”

“These looser certification standards wouldestablish a second, lower tier of teacherpreparation and certification in New York

state. They will damage theentire teaching profession inNew York, which all of UUP’steacher education faculty andstaff have worked so hard touphold,” Dangler said. “Thiscannot stand.”

NO ACCOUNTABILITYUnder the new policy,

SUNY charter schools wouldoperate their own teacherpreparation programs. Theirteacher candidates wouldavoid the state’s requiredteacher certification exams.The people certifying thesecharter-school teacher candi-dates would themselves beable to forego any externalvalidation of their qualifica-tions, since their teacher preparation pro-grams would evade national accreditation.The entire proposal speaks to a looselydefined process that lacks transparencyand accountability.

The committee’s endorsement of the planalso undoes years of work by UUP andcoalition partners to address significantflaws in the design of the state’s revampedteacher certification process, which NewYork introduced in 2013 in the form of fournew mandatory exams. At that time, allteacher candidates in New York, includingthose planning to teach in charter schools,had to pass the same certification exams.NYSUT and UUP always supported thestate’s goal of certifying only the mosthighly qualified teacher candidates throughthe rigorous process, but also maintainedthat the exams contained significant flawsin their design and content.

In March, UUP achieved a significantvictory when the New York State Board ofRegents reversed its earlier opposition toany changes in the certification process,and agreed to a series of revisions thatteacher education experts throughout thestate applauded. Several of those experts—including a number in UUP’s membership—had attributed a steep decline in enrollmentin the SUNY teacher education programs inpart to the new certification exams, which

often ignored basic realities about actualclassroom practices in various disciplines.

STRONG ALLIES WITH UUPThose revisions followed a long and care-

ful effort to convince the Regents that theexams were flawed. Now, in the fight tooppose the SUNY Charter Schools Commit-tee plan, UUP and NYSUT find themselvesallied with some of the state’s major voicesin public education: Regents ChancellorBetty Rosa, the Board of Regents, StateEducation Commissioner MaryEllen Elia andAssembly Higher Education Committee ChairDeborah Glick, who have opposed the weak-ened charter school certification standards.A large coalition of education advocacygroups in the state has also joined in thefight against a weaker certification process.

Noting the strong and persistent reactionagainst the charter school certification stan-dards, Dangler said that UUP will continueto press for the same high standards for allteacher candidates.

Said Dangler: “The only way that NewYorkers can have confidence in the qualityof their children’s education is to know thatevery teacher in every school in the statehas been prepared by the best and mosthighly qualified faculty and staff, and thatevery new teacher has met the same highstandards for certification.”

BY DARRYL MCGRATH

KAREN L. MATTISON

VPA JAMIE DANGLER ADDRESSES PROTESTERS AT A SEPT. 12RALLY IN SARATOGA SPRINGS. EDUCATORS FROM K-PH.D. WEREPROTESTING A PLAN TO LOOSEN REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME ATEACHER IN SUNY-AUTHORIZED CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Teacher education


C ampus Equity Week had specialsignificance this year, because itcoincided with the launch of aUUP Contingent Employment

Committee project that has been two yearsin the making and could help the unionbetter understand and advocate for itsacademic contingent members.

That project is the survey for academiccontingent employees, which represents along-held hope by the statewide ContingentEmployment Committee to hear from asmany of these members as possible, in asprecise a way as possible, about theirneeds, the many challenges they face, andtheir thoughts on what would improve theirwork conditions.

The committee is co-chaired by JaclynPittsley of Cortland and Ben Allocco ofOswego.

“The Contingent Academic Survey is theresult of years of work by the members ofthe Contingent Employment Committee,”Pittsley said. “We are proud to finally,formally assess the population of contingentacademics across SUNY. We are even moreinterested in learning what their needs are.We hope to use the information provided inthe survey to steer our committee into thenext phase of its advocacy mission.”

The survey takes 20 to 30 minutes tocomplete.

Committee members anticipate thatsurvey results will help guide them informulating future reports and initiatives,and in working to secure improved condi-tions of employment.

“Contingent academ-ics are, of course,diverse, and it isimportant that wedisseminate the surveyto as many contingentacademics as possible

on our campuses, at our health sciencescenters and in other locations,” said state-wide President Fred Kowal. UUP definescontingent employees as those having “nopath to permanency.”

Kowal commended members of theContingent Employment Committee ondeveloping the academics survey.

The committee is working with UUPResearch on a comparable survey tailoredfor contingent professionals.

CONTINGENT COMMITTEEMEMBERS URGE PARTICIPATION

Chapter officers have received informationabout ways to publicize the survey—fromhosting “take the survey” events, to spread-ing the word on social media.

Chapters have also seized on this year’sCampus Equity Week with enthusiasm; as

The Echo was set to post, 10 UUP chaptershad held events on their campuses.

Events included lunches, coffee hours andreceptions to honor adjunct employees andencourage conversation about the issues;rallies; displays of artwork and readingsfrom adjunct-authored works; and tablesset up in prominent locations on campusesso that students and other passersby couldpick up literature and participate in Twittercampaigns in support of adjuncts.

UNMASKING CONTINGENT ISSUESThis year’s theme for CEW centered on the

making of masks, a visual symbol of the con-flicting roles that many adjuncts face. Theyare essential members of their departmentsand disciplines, often teaching large intro-ductory or core courses, but they are alsooften a “hidden” part of campus life—not

fully recognized fortheir service, andoften not recognizedfor the precariousterms of their SUNYemployment.

BY DARRYL MCGRATH

Campus Equity Week

THE ABOVE FLIER WAS ONE OF THE INFORMATIONAL HANDOUTS AVAILABLEFOR DISTRIBUTION AT THE CHAPTERS DURING CAMPUS EQUITY WEEK.

UNITED UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONS PRESIDENT FREDERICK E. KOWAL, PH.D.

518.640.6600 FAX: 518.640.6698 WWW.UUPINFO.ORG

More than 40% of UUP members are

contingent employees, i.e., having no

path to permanency.40

More than half of part-time, temporary

professionals earn less than $17,000

a year.

Roughly 1 in every 4 professionals and

3 in every 5 academics are contingent.

25

More than half of part-time, temporary

professionals work half-time or greater.

50+

The percentage of part-time contingent faculty has

increased over the last decade. Today, part-time

academics comprise more than one-third of the faculty

at the majority of SUNY’s state-operated campuses. 33

Part-time academics comprise more than

50% of the faculty at several SUNY state-

operated campuses.

1 in 3 part-time academics earns less than

$200 per week.33

1 in 5 part-time academics earns less than

$175 per week.20SUNY is overly dependent on its part-time

academics and professionals—those with

the lowest pay and the least job security.

Half of part-time academics earn less than

$275 per week.50

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SSUUNNYY

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NNDD HHEEAALLTTHH SSCCIIEENNCCEESS CCEENN

TTEERRSS

Professionals:

Academics:

100

60

50+

50+

Committee launchesadjunct surveyin sync with CEW


ContingentAcademicEmployees:

Take Your Survey!http://bit.ly/2xlVwcI

Your Opinion Counts!A new 65-question survey seeks information on theexperiences and working conditions of SUNY’s part-timeand full-time contingent academic employees.

The survey was written and is being distributedby the union’s Contingent Employment Committeeto gather detailed information about hiring, workload,working conditions, compensation and other aspectsof working as a SUNY contingent employee. It shouldtake about 20-30 minutes to complete.

Survey results will be used for future initiatives andreports on how to best support and improve conditionsfor contingent academics.

The survey isn’t formatted for mobile devices, butsmartphones can be used to take and submit the survey.Hard copies of the survey are also available from UUP;contact VPA Jamie Dangler at (800) 342-4206 for details.

Many SUNY adjuncts in the first few yearsof their service can be either summarilydismissed or not renewed, depending onthe changing needs and budgets withintheir departments.

Academic adjunct Rebekah Tolley ofAlbany, an artist and a member of theContingent Employment Committee andchapter assistant vice president for academ-ics, designed the distinctive mask graphicfor this year’s campaign.

The graphic appeared on posters, fliersand other CEW materials at many chaptersand was seen by thousands of students,administrators, faculty and staff throughout

the SUNY system and on college campusesnationwide.

“Grassroots adjunct faculty have steppedup,” said Anne Wiegard of Cortland, who ison the board of directors of the New FacultyMajority Foundation and a ContingentEmployment Committee member. “It hasbeen really heartening to see.”

Wiegard was instrumental in populatingthe official CEW website with ideas forchapter-based projects such as artisticperformances and sign-making events,and a CEW toolkit of downloadable graphicsand materials.

Watch for additional coverage of chapter-

sponsored CEW events in the December2017/January 2018 issue of The Voice.

WIDENING EFFORTS, ATTENTIONThe Contingent Employment Committee

has also completed a “CommunicationsGuide” to assist chapter officers in promot-ing issues that affect contingent academicworkers. The guide includes talking pointson how to educate members and otherson the plight of adjuncts, with the goal ofbuilding alliances in the fight for improvedworking conditions and salaries.

Sample letters to the editor and to statelegislators will also be in the guide.


DCAA, PEPEmployer Contribution SunsetsDependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) Employer Contribution SunsetThe open enrollment period for the 2018 Flex Spending Accounts (Health Care Spending Account and DependentCare Advantage Account) continues through Nov. 6. UUP members are eligible to enroll in these pre-tax savingsprograms.

Under previous UUP/NYS contracts, UUP members who enrolled for a Dependent Care Advantage Account werealso eligible for an employer contribution to their DCAAccount to assist with dependent care expenses. Whilewe expect the employer contribution to be restored once a new contract between UUP and the state is ratified,the employer contribution has now “sunset” with the expiration of the 2011-2016 agreement, and the state hasnot agreed to provide an employer contribution while contract negotiations are ongoing.

Although the DCAA employer contribution is not currently available, interested members are stronglyencouraged to enroll in the DCAA without it. Enrolling with an employee contribution for 2018 will still resultin significant savings on dependent care expenses. In addition, it is the best way to protect eligibility for an employercontribution when contract negotiations conclude and the employer contribution becomes available for 2018.

Members who enroll in DCAA may enroll for an employee contribution of any amount from $1 to $5,000. Oncea new contract is ratified and an employer contribution becomes available, existing DCAAccounts will be creditedwith the employer contribution. When this occurs:

• Members who have enrolled with employee contributions of less than the value of the employercontribution will have their DCAAccount credited with the amount of their employer contributionand their employee contributions will be refunded to them.

• Members who have enrolled with employee contributions of greater than the value of the employercontribution will have their DCAAccount credited with the amount of their employer contribution.The equivalent amount of employee contributions will be refunded to them. The total value oftheir DCAAccount will not be increased.

Interested members should visit www.flexspend.ny.gov for additional information and to access online enrollmentbefore the close of the open enrollment period, midnight Nov. 6.

Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) SunsetThe “Planning for Option Transfer” materials that our members recently received, which announced the open enroll-ment period for the Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) for 2018, excluded UUP-represented employees fromeligibility for 2018. This occurred because PEP also “sunset” following the expiration of the 2011-2016 State/UUPAgreement absent separate agreement to extend it.

While we also expect that PEP will be restored following ratification of a new UUP/NYS Contract, the State hasnot agreed to extend it while contract negotiations are still in process.

Negotiations update

U UP officers have been talkingwith members during chaptervisits, at the 2017 Fall Dele-gate Assembly in Buffalo, and

through the union’s member-only negotia-tions web portal to educate them about thechallenges in bargaining for a successoragreement with New York state.

UUP’s contract expired July 1, 2016. “Our members aren’t asking for anything

they don’t deserve,” said UUP PresidentFred Kowal. “We’re working every day toensure that SUNY fulfills its mission to pro-vide a high-quality, accessible public educa-tion for all New Yorkers. We believe that theimportant and professional work performedby all of our members should be recognizedin the terms and conditions of this contract.”

Kowal said contract talks are movingforward, but a number of key areas

remained unresolved as The Echo wasposted. The union is still trying to reachaccord on issues related to job security,compensation, and paid parenting andfamily leave, among others.

ALL FOR ONE ...During the recent DA, Kowal told dele-

gates that UUP remains committed tonegotiating the best deal possible, andthanked them for their continued support.

“We need your help to advocate for a fairand equitable agreement that addressesthe needs of our members and to demon-strate to the state that we are united,”Kowal said.

“The members have told their bargainingteam what they want in this contract, andthey remain united in their willingness tostay the course, no matter how long itmay take,” he added. “I wouldn’t want tochallenge their resolve.”

Members are asked to take advantageof opportunities to meet with the UUPstatewide officers when they visit thechapters, and to participate in any “FairContract” activities or actions on campus,when asked to do so.

Members are also asked to:• Get a ‘United for a Fair Contract’ sign,

button or sticker from their chapter offices;• Post a Fair Contract sign on their office

doors, bulletin boards or car windows;• Put Fair Contract bumper sticker on their

cars, and ask family and friends to putbumper stickers on their cars, too;

• Wear Fair Contract buttons or stickerswhile work; and

• Attend UUP chapter meetings to discussthe contract and other union issues.

For the most up-to-date information onUUP’s work at the table, go to the member-only web portal at https://uuphost.org/myuup/MembersOnly/check.php

BY KAREN L. MATTISON

UUP members firm in their resolve for a fair contract


Once a tentative agreement is reached with the state,UUP members must vote to ratify a new contract.It’s our union and our contract. BE INVOLVED!

Your new UUP contract is being negotiated.Will you be able to vote on it?

Are you a UUP member?Only UUP MEMBERS can vote.

JOIN TODAY� Go to uupinfo.org� Click on “About UUP”

at the top of the home page� Click on “Welcome/Join”� Scroll down to “Click here to sign up online”

Check your most recent pay stub. If it says“UUP Agency Fee,” then you are

NOT yet a UUP member.

JOHN DOETotal Gross Fed Taxable Gross

CurrentYTD

3456.78 1234.5645,678.90 34,567.89

Advice # 123456789Advice Date 09/02/2016

Pay Start DatePay End Date

02/01/201702/15/2017 Net Pay 1,234.56

NYS EMPLID N12345678 Pay Rate 78,910.11EARNINGS Current YTD

Hrs./Days Earnings Hrs./Days Earnings

Regular Pay Salary EmployeeLocation Pay

3456.78 45,678.9056.78 678.90

TAX DATAFederal State NYC Yonkers

Marital StatusAllowancesAdd. Amt.

4 42 0

TAXES Current YTD

Fed WithholdingMedicareSocial SecurityNY Withholding

3,456.78 1,234.5645,678.90 34,567.893,456.78 1,234.5645,678.90 34,567.89

BEFORE TAX DEDUCTIONS Current YTD456.78 1,234.56678.90 5,678.9056.78 1,234.56

Regular Before Tax HealthSupplemental Ret. Annually Prog.TIAA Retirement Before Tax

AFTER TAX DEDUCTIONS Current YTD

34.56 456.78UUP Agency Fee

Department ID 98765

Thomas P. DiNapoliNew York State Comptroller?


Honoring excellence

B ill Canning of Oswego andDonna Goodman of New Paltz—this year’s recipients of the NinaMitchell Award for Distinguished

Service—were gracious in their acceptancespeeches at the 2017 Fall Delegate Assem-bly in Buffalo.

The Mitchell award recognizes UUP mem-bers who have fervently served the union.This year’s awardees have done just thatwhile fighting for their fellow unionists asdelegates, committee chairs and strongadvocates for worker’s rights.

CHAMPION OF ENGAGEMENTCanning began his union activism almost

30 years ago as a write-in candidate forchapter delegate. Today, he serves asOswego Chapter president.

In his acceptance speech, he thankedthose who stepped up—and stepped aside.

“I want to thank Richard Mattice, whowrote in my name” on the chapter ballot fordelegate, Canning said. “I got one vote.”

“And I want to thank Don Harrison for notgoing to the DA that year,” he continued.“That meant I could go.”

Canning has been committed to theunion—statewide and at his chapter—eversince.

“From everything that I have observedover my 20-year involvement with UUP, Billhas committed a great deal of time, effortand energy on behalf of the union,” notedOswego Chapter colleague Steve Abrahamin his nomination letter.

Canning has also served his chapter asvice president of professionals, chaptersecretary, and grievance chair. He is nowfocused on getting members active in theirunion and recently co-developed a detailedplan for how the Oswego Chapter can bet-ter serve its members.

Canning has been a member of thestatewide Membership Committee since1989, and he served as chair from 1993-1998, and again from 2002-2010. He hasbeen co-chair since 2012.

“Since increasing membership and gettingmembers involved is critical to UUP’s suc-cess, Bill’s work in this capacity is extremely

important,” Abraham said. Canning is a member of the statewide

Grievance Committee and serves on theCommittee of Chapter Presidents. He hasbeen a UUP delegate since 1988, andserved on a task force to address job/familyclarification issues within the IT sector.

‘NEVER GIVE UP’Goodman said she believes individuals

and unionists have two choices in the faceof opposition: fight back or give up. Sheoffered strong arguments for the former.

“We can stand up, raise our voices, reachout to members, form alliances, and unitewith other workers,” Goodman said. “Or wecan shut up and stay home.”

She cited the issues facing society, fromthe attacks on the working class and climatechange, to the violence of wars, new and old.

“We can learn and teach and organize andkeep going, even if we don’t win each bat-tle,” Goodman said. “Or we can fade intodespair and forgo any chance of defeatingthe anti-union, anti-worker aggression thatsurrounds us.”

Goodman is a dedicated grassroots activist,and her work with the union has involvedorganizing events, such as Save SUNYcampaigns and International Women’s Day.

She has co-chaired the union’s statewideWomen’s Rights and Concerns Committeesince 2004, and has co-authored numerousDA resolutions.

“Working with Donna for nearly 20 yearsin UUP, and now as co-chairs of thestatewide Women’s Rights and ConcernsCommittee, I see her as one of the mostgenerous, committed and compassionatepersons I have known,” said FarmingdaleChapter President Vicki Janik. “She inspiresall of us with her continuing achievementsfor labor and for women.”

Goodman has also been a vital link to thelarger labor movement. She was the union’s2009 delegate to the National Assembly ofU.S. Labor Against the War, and serves asvice president of the AFL-CIO’s HudsonValley Area Labor Federation.

“Her role in this important union-to-unionoutreach has been invaluable to UUP’s pres-ence within the larger labor movement as awhole,” said New Paltz Chapter PresidentBeth E. Wilson.

Goodman expressed gratitude for thehonor and said she was moved to be in thedistinguished company of past awardees.

“Our work is to stay strong now and aimfor the future,” Goodman told delegates.“We must never give up.”

Canning, Goodman earn distinguished service awardsBY AMY SHELDON

THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENTS OF THE NINA MITCHELL AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE—BILL CANNINGOF OSWEGO AND DONNA GOODMAN OF NEW PALTZ—ARE THE QUINTESSENTIAL UNION ACTIVISTS.THEY ACCEPTED THEIR AWARDS OCT. 13 AT THE 2017 FALL DA IN BUFFALO.

KAREN L. MATTISON MICHAEL LISI


T his year’s recipients of theFayez Samuel Award for Coura-geous Service by Part-TimeAcademic and Professional

Faculty have at least one thing in common:They know that fighting for their rights andthose of their fellow contingent employeescan be a full-time job.

Derrik Decker of Fredonia and RebekahTolley of Albany are worthy of the honor,which is presented by UUP to contingentemployees who have served their unionwith courage and distinction.

COMMITMENT TO PERFECTIONDecker, an instrumental UUP activist and

Fredonia Chapter treasurer, is known forhis dedication to his students, chapterfinances and statewide committees.

“It’s important for us to take care of oneanother,” Decker said. “I don’t try to do any-thing special—I just try to do what’s right.”

“There are always students in (Derrik’s)office, asking questions or getting help ontheir projects,” said Fredonia Chapter Presi-dent Ziya Arnavut. “I have never seen suchan active contingent faculty member.”

Decker serves on the Compliance/Audit andFinance committees. Since Decker becamechapter treasurer in 2011, Fredonia hasconsistently received positive audit reviews.

“Derrik worked tirelessly with other mem-bers of the committee charged with analyz-ing the potential impact of the Harris v.Quinn and Friedrichs v. CTA cases on UUP’sfinances,” said former statewide treasurerRowena Blackman-Stroud.

“I truly enjoy doing union work,” Deckersaid. “Unions serve a crucial purpose, andI’m happy to help in any way that I can.”

As a member of the UUP Outreach Com-mittee, Decker regularly meets with legisla-tors in Albany and in their district offices tofight for the rights of contingent employ-ees—and for UUP as a whole.

“When Derrik takes on a task, he does itto perfection,” Arnavut said. “He is not paid;he does it because he likes to be helpful.”

“I’m honored and humbled to receive thisaward,” Decker said. He thanked Blackman-

Stroud and Tina George, UUP director offinance and human resources, for their sup-port during his tenure as chapter treasurer.He also thanked UUP President Fred Kowalfor “his decisive leadership in identifying theproblems our union faces and then workingto find solutions.”

FIGHTING INJUSTICETolley is keenly aware of the issues facing

contingent workers. She is chapter assistantvice president for academics and co-chair ofthe Contingent Concerns Committee, and isa former officer for contingents.

During her acceptance speech, Tolleyspoke of the struggles she and fellowUAlbany contingent employees face, such as low pay and a lack of job security.

“The progress that our campus has madetoward improving the working conditionsof adjuncts makes me hopeful,” she said.“But that hope is tempered by persistentreminders that this is precarious work.”

“Until we have policies that protect thehiring and firing of contingent faculty, wewill be subject to these grossly unfair andarbitrary work practices,” Tolley added.

Tolley has worked hard to correct many ofthese injustices on her campus.

“Rebekah has been instrumental in thegains achieved for contingent faculty atUAlbany,” said former Albany Chapter presi-dent Bret Benjamin. “She has served on thecontingent implementation committees,which have overseen raises to the minimumsalary, expanded numbers of benefits-eligiblemembers, and improved representation.”

On the statewide level, Tolley is a memberof the Contingent Employment Committeeand a Chapter Action Project organizer. Sheis the creator of this year’s artwork for theCampus Equity Week campaign, and wasfeatured in UUP’s recent adjunct TV ad.

Tolley spoke to her full-time peers whenshe said, “I taught for seven years full timeat other institutions ... and I have to say Ihad very little appreciation for the real plightof adjunct lecturers before becoming one.”

In accepting the award, Tolley thankedBenjamin, her fellow statewide committeemembers, and the wider community ofunionists, whom she said, “have alwayswelcomed me with open arms and havegiven me the strength to continue.”

“For many of us, we still have a long wayto go,” Tolley said. “I am thankful to thosewho are willing to take the time to speak updespite the consequences.”

Decker, Tolley fight for contingent employeesBY AMY SHELDON

UUP MEMBERS DERRIK DECKER OF FREDONIA AND REBEKAH TOLLEY OF ALBANY EARNED THIS YEAR’SFAYEZ SAMUEL AWARD FOR COURAGEOUS SERVICE BY PART-TIME ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONALFACULTY. THEY WERE HONORED AT THE RECENT FALL DA IN BUFFALO.

MIKE LISI KAREN L. MATTISON


In the news

In The News is a compilation of media in the last two months(radio, television and papers across the state) featuring UUP.

Oct. 27: ”A disturbing lack of civility”WAMC Public Radio (Albany, N.Y.)

Commentary by UUP President Fred Kowal on the disturbinglack of civility in our political process and the importance of gettinginvolved, speaking truth to power, and putting America’s belief indemocracy into action.

Oct. 21: “In budget talks, professors’ workloads becomean issue”Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, Conn.)

UUP VPA Jamie Dangler talks about workloads for SUNYprofessors in a story on workloads for professors at UConn.

Oct. 18: “SUCO hosts constitutional convention talk”The Daily Star (Oneonta, N.Y.)

President Kowal takes part in panel discussion on the Novemberstatewide referendum on whether to stage a constitutionalconvention in New York state.

Oct. 18: “ConCon debate highlights pros and consof convention”The SUNY New Paltz Oracle (New Paltz, N.Y.)

President Kowal makes a strong case against a constitutionalconvention in an Oct. 16 debate at SUNY New Paltz.

Oct. 11: “Charter Schools Call SUNY Reg ‘Right Decision’”State of Politics, Capital Tonight blog (Albany, N.Y.)

UUP is mentioned as a strong opponent of the SUNY CharterSchools Committee's decision to allow charter schools to set up theirown teacher preparation and certification programs.

Oct. 11: “Committee OKs alternative requirementsfor charter teachers”The Associated Press

UUP is mentioned as a strong opponent of the SUNY Charter SchoolsCommittee's decision to allow charter schools to set up their ownteacher preparation and certification programs. This story appeared inmore than 25 newspapers and TV news websites across the country,including the Chicago Tribune and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Oct. 9: “Teacher testing revised”Adirondack Daily Enterprise (Saranac Lake, N.Y.)

VPA Dangler discusses the state Board of Regents’ revisionsto the edTPA. This article also appeared in the Lake PlacidNews.

Oct. 6: “SUNY New Paltz dealing with $1.8M deficit”Times Record-Herald (Middletown, N.Y.)

UUP New Paltz Chapter President Beth E. Wilson says that allbut a handful of adjuncts were rehired by the college for the fall2017 semester.

Oct. 4: “N.Y. unions brace for high-stakes Supreme Courtruling”The Daily Star (Oneonta, N.Y.)

President Kowal said he believes UUP members will stay with theunion if the Supreme Court affirms Janus v. AFSCME Council 31.

Oct. 3: “Experts: It's too soon to call Excelsior Scholarshipa win”Politico NY (Albany, N.Y.)

President Kowal said he’s encouraged by the state’s ExcelsiorScholarship, adding that time will tell how many of those studentsgraduate.

Sept. 28: “'Anything' can happen at ConstitutionalConvention”Palladium-Times (Oswego, N.Y.)

VPA Dangler takes part in a Sept. 28 forum on the Novemberreferendum for a statewide constitutional convention.

Sept. 21: “SUNY community dedicated to protecting‘dreamers’”Legislative Gazette (Albany, N.Y.)

President Kowal tells the paper that UUP is opposed to PresidentTrump’s decision to phase out the federal Deferred Action forChildhood Arrivals program.

Sept. 20: “Vote on constitutional convention debated”Cortland Standard (Cortland, N.Y.)

VPA Dangler takes part in a Sept. 19 debate in Cortland on themerits of holding a state constitutional convention.

Sept. 13: “New York's most controversial teachercertification exam is now a little easier to pass”Chalkbeat New York (New York City, N.Y.)

VPA Dangler discusses a Sept. 12 decision by the Board ofRegents to lower the passing score on the edTPA.

COMPILED BY MICHAEL LISI


Upstate Medical University Chapter

CARLPETTENGILL

African American Day Parade

PHOTOCOURTESY

OFJEDANPHILLIPS

Snapshots from the chapters

Purchase Chapter

PHOTOCOURTESY

OFMARYGA

RCIA

ABOVE, STONY BROOK HSC CHAPTER MEMBER JEDAN PHILLIPS,SECOND FROM LEFT, SERVED AS A PARADE MARSHALL FOR THE 48THANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN DAY PARADE, SEPT. 17 IN HARLEM. THEPARADE HONORED AFRICAN-AMERICAN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.

BELOW, UUP FARMINGDALE CHAPTER MEMBERS JOHN MASSERWICK,LEFT, AND SOLOMON AYO FLANK STUDENT MAIA GOMAS AT A TABLESET UP TO EDUCATE STUDENTS AND FACULTY ON THE DRAWBACKSOF A STATE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

BELOW, PURCHASE CHAPTER VP FOR PROFESSIONALS MARY GARCIAPOSES FOR A PHOTO BEFORE JOINING THE MAKING STRIDES AGAINSTBREAST CANCER WALK IN PURCHASE, OCT. 15.

ABOVE, UPSTATE CHAPTER UUPER ANDY KOVACS, LEFT, REVIEWS THEQUALIFICATIONS TO BE A DONOR DURING THE CHAPTER’S BE THE MATCH BONEMARROW TRANSPLANT DONOR DRIVE SEPT. 29. LOOKING ON ARE FORMER UPSTATECHAPTER PRESIDENT MIKE LYON, RIGHT, AND MIKE GARBIN OF BE THE MATCH,WHICH MANAGES THE WORLD’S LARGEST BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT REGISTRY.

Chapter Assistant Training

KARENL. MATTISON

Farmingdale Chapter

PHOTOCOURTESY

OFTHEFARMINGDALECH

APTER

RIGHT, SEVERAL CHAPTER ASSISTANTS CAME TO THEADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OCT. 17 TO LEARN THE INSAND OUTS OF UUP, AND TO MEET HEADQUARTERSSTAFF. THE FRONT FOUR, FROM LEFT, ARE: GLENDADAVENPORT, PURCHASE; DEBBIE AMATO, FARMING-DALE; JOANNE PERKINS, OSWEGO; AND KELLYTHOMPSON-LAPERLE, ALBANY. MIDDLE ROW:JACQUELINE BOURGEOIS, DOWNSTATE; PEGGYLACORAZZA, UPSTATE; JEN HERNANDEZ, POTSDAM;KRISTEN RINKER, BUFFALO CENTER; LYNN SNOW,CANTON; MARY NAVARRA, OLD WESTBURY; ANDDIANA TISCHLER, STONY BROOK. BACK ROW: JANEVALETTA, ESC; DONNA CAREY, MORRISVILLE; PATLEPORE MOODY, COBLESKILL; LINDA O’BRANSKI,BINGHAMPTON; ELAINE RYAN, ALFRED; ALEXSANDRACHAMPLIN, MARITIME; CHRISTINA ZALE, DELHI;AND MARY ANN THOMPSON, NEW PALTZ.


AFT adds new grad employeelocals in Vermont, Illinois

Graduate employees voted overwhelmingly in favor ofAFT union representation this month at the CommunityCollege of Vermont and the University of Chicago.

In Vermont, 537 adjunct faculty now have “thepower to negotiate for sustainable pay, access to benefits, jobstability and the respect all adjuncts deserve,” said CCV memberEmily Casey.

And in Chicago, 2,500 graduate student workers will have astronger voice in their fight for health care, child care, sufficientstipends and a regular pay schedule through Graduate StudentsUnited, following a more than 2-1 majority in a history-makingvote. Graduate employees at the university have worked for10 years to win a union.

“With the power of collective bargaining, we can and willimprove our working conditions,” noted Claudio Gonzáles, a third-year student in mathematics at the University of Chicago. “Wehave also secured a powerful institutional voice.”

AFT testifies against plans to weakenprotections for sexual assault, fraud

Four AFT leaders defended crucial protections for collegestudents at a U.S. Department of Education hearing Oct. 4,demanding that officials stop threatening to repeal regula-tions such as those that help deter sexual assault on campus

and others that hold for-profit colleges accountable for fraud andexploitation.

The proposed repeals are part of a larger program designed tominimize regulations in general, but these particular rules targethigher education and student safety.

With real-world examples of the harm such changes could bring,AFT President Randi Weingarten and others were among dozensof people who testified regarding the proposed deregulation.

NEA presses Congress to support DreamersEducators and students from key states—including Arizona, Cali-

fornia, Colorado, Florida and Texas—recently met in Washington,D.C., with members of Congress to urge them to pass the Dream

Labor notes

W riting about UUP memberssigning up agency fee pay-ers earned the union a SaulMiller Award for Organizing

from the International Labor Communica-tions Association.

The union picked up six additional ILCAawards for writing and design for The Voiceand the website, and for its television ad onadjuncts in SUNY. The annual competitioncovered work produced in 2016.

“Once again, our communications teamhas been awarded for its excellent work inspreading our message, and for promotingour dedicated union members who worktirelessly for their students and patients,each and every day,” said UUP PresidentFred Kowal.

The Saul Miller Award recognized TheVoice Summer 2016 article, “One member-ship card at a time: UUP’s AFT-trainedorganizers tackle agency fee lists,” writtenby Darryl McGrath, UUP communicationsspecialist. The article featured JudeJayatilleke of Buffalo State, and Ellen Boydof Stony Brook HSC and Bill Canning of

Oswego, statewideMembership Com-mittee co-chairs, intheir relentless pur-suit to sign up andengage every mem-ber of the statewideUUP bargaining unit.

PRINT DESIGNThe December

2016/January 2017issue of The Voiceearned three sepa-rate visual communi-cations awards: Twofirst-place honors,for Best Illustrationand Best FrontPage; and a second-place award for BestMagazine Design.

The winning cover featured an illustrationof rallying workers who “Rise Up!” againstthe graphic backdrop of the Bill of Rights.Designed by UUP Associate Director ofCommunications Karen Mattison, the illus-tration highlights how UUP members standup for working families—signing on as

partners with the Women’s March onWashington, standing in solidarity with theStanding Rock Sioux Tribe’s battle againstthe Dakota Access Pipeline, and serving asChapter Action Project activists redefiningthe role of union organizing.

A special Chapter Action Project pull-outwas paramount in the judge’s decision tohonor the magazine; the eight-page pull-

UUP Communications brings home seven international BY KAREN L. MATTISON

KAREN L. MATTISONUUP DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS MIKE LISI, RIGHT, RECEIVES ONEOF SEVEN COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS FROM ILCA VP MIKE JOHNSON.


labor awardsout featured numerous photographs ofmembers taking part in CAP projectsaround the state, from a weekend-longCAP training event, to a Morrisville Chap-ter-hosted dinner honoring veterans,and a crew of UUPers picking up trashon the Buffalo State campus. The issuealso highlighted some of the newer,younger members who are leading thecharge in one-on-one organizing.

WEB WRITING AND DESIGNUUP Communications has placed

special emphasis on using the website toeducate members on dozens of educa-tion-related topics—and it has paid off.

The website earned two second-placeawards for Best Electronic Content andBest Design.

The website features a rotator on themost up-to-date state and chapter issuesand events, as well as pages for informa-tion on contract negotiations, and “tool-kits” to help members understand thepitfalls of a state constitutional conven-tion and to provide contingent employeeswith information on programs and bene-fits available to them.

UUP Director of Communications MikeLisi serves as webmaster and is primarilyresponsible for content.

MULTIMEDIA CAMPAIGNThree UUP members—Rebekah Tolley

of Albany, William Lee of Cortland andBentley Whitfield of Farmingdale—werefeatured in a 30-second TV, print andsocial media campaign that earned third-place honors.

The ad called attention to the poverty-level salaries of SUNY adjunct faculty.The campaign’s goal was to raise publicawareness of the precarious situationadjuncts face and to generate supportfor pay increases and improved workingconditions.

The ad aired on cable TV systems inthe Capital Region, Buffalo, Long Island,and Ulster and Dutchess counties inJanuary 2016.

ILCA is a professional organization oflocal, national and international labor com-municators. Members produce print andonline publications, multimedia projects,and other union communications with atotal circulation in the tens of millions.

Act. The NEA is looking to buildsupport among Republicans.

“This vitally important legislationgives Dreamers—people brought to

this country as children—the certainty and permanent protectionsthey deserve, including multiple pathways to citizenship via highereducation, military service and employment,” said NEA PresidentLily Eskelsen García.

To qualify, individuals must have entered the U.S. as minors andhave a continuous presence for four years before the date of thebill's enactment.

Click HERE to contact lawmakers and urge them to support theDream Act.

AFL-CIO adopts Workers’ Bill of RightsDelegates to the AFL-CIO’s 28th Constitutional Convention,

Oct. 22-25 in St. Louis, Mo., adopted a resolution calling for thecreation of a Workers' Bill of Rights.

Speaking in support of the resolution, AFL-CIO President Richard

Trumka said, “It will serve as a platform for members to rallyaround; it will give prospective members a clear statement of ourvalues; and it will provide political candidates and elected officialswith a litmus test for our support.”

Key components of a Workers' Bill of Rightswould include the right to:

• A good job with equitable wages anda fair return on the work;

• Quality health care, regardless of income,job or a pre-existing medical condition;

• A workplace free from harassment and violence;• Paid time off and flexible scheduling;• Freedom from discrimination in hiring, firing and promotions;• Retire with dignity and financial security;• Free public education and career training that advances knowl-

edge and skills without leaving students in debt;• Work together for better wages and working conditions; and• Freely exercise our democratic voice through voting and civic

participation, and to ensure local and state governments stand upfor this Workers’ Bill of Rights.

Did youknow?— 66 percent of 18- to36-year-olds in the U.S.

support labor unions.

— 63 percent of women in the U.S. supportlabor unions. That makes sense: Unionizedwomen earn 32 percent more than theirnonunionized women, or $212 more aweek, on average.

— 79 percent of union workers are morelikely to have access to retirement plansthan nonunion workers.

— African-American union members earn33 percent more, while Latino union mem-bers earn 42 percent more, than theirrespective nonunion counterparts.

—Unionized workers are 58 percent morelikely to have paid personal leave.

— Workers in education, training and libraryoccupations have the highest unionizationrate: 36.8 percent.

Sources: Gallop Poll, 2015;U.S. Department of Labor, 2014 statistics

UNION PROUDAFT Local 2190


Union benefits


PRINT AND FILL OUT THE CARD BELOW ORSIGN UP ONLINE AT HTTPS://UUPHOST.ORG/JOIN

PLEASE RETAIN FOR YOUR RECORDS

You are not a member of the union until theUUP Administrative Office receives your signedmembership application. Signing entitles you to:• vote on the collective bargaining agreement;• attend union meetings;• hold union office;• elect union leaders on your campus and chooserepresentatives at the state and national levels;• upon separation of service, obtain AssociateMembership with NYSUT and be eligible forbenefit programs; and• maintain membership after retirement and beeligible for benefit programs.

Date Signed and Mailed:

UUP, PO Box 15143,Albany, NY 12212-5143

800-342-4206

UUP Membership Application Last Name First MI Birth Date / / Gender Street Address Non-SUNY Email

City, State, Zip Home PhoneSUNY SUNYDepartment Title

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Membership Sponsor ChapterAnnual membership dues in United University Professions are 1 percent of employee’s basic annual salary for employees at or above

the minimum salary negotiated for the bargaining unit; nine-tenths of 1 percent of employee’s annual salary for employees earning lessthan the minimum salary negotiated for the bargaining unit.

Payroll Deduction Authority for UUP MembershipTO THE COMPTROLLER OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK: I am a member of or apply herewith for membership in United UniversityProfessions and I hereby authorize you to deduct from my salary and to pay over to United University Professions on a biweekly basis the above-stated dues in said organization. Such authorization is made in accordance with the provisions of Section 6a of the Finance Law. You arefurther authorized to make any adjustments in said deduction as may be certified to you from time to time by UUP. I hereby authorize UnitedUniversity Professions to act as my exclusive representative for the purpose of collective bargaining and in the administration of grievances.I understand this order may be revoked at any time by written notice to you to discontinue deductions for membership dues.

BE SURE YOU HAVE SIGNED THIS CARD and mail to UUP, P.O. Box 15143, Albany, N.Y. 12212-5143Dues paid to United University Professions may qualify as business expenses and may be deductiblein limited circumstances subject to various restrictions imposed by the Internal Revenue Code.

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