Spring Chapter Meeting
First published in the May 2013 edition of The Bullhorn. The original publication can be found here.
Over a hundred and sixty attendees enjoyed box lunches in Lecture Center 100 while learning about and addressing issues related to the recently-negotiated UUP Tentative Agreement. Special guests included UUP President Phil Smith; Chief Negotiator Jamie Dangler; Secretary Eileen Landy; John Marino, Acting Director of NYSUT Field Services for UUP; and two members of the Negotiations Team, Robert Rees (Alfred) and Jason Torre (Stony Brook). As part of the state-wide tour to all of the UUP chapters, the speakers offered a detailed summary of the contract highlights, including compensation, the deficit reduction plan, health care benefits, grant programs, and family leave provisions. Afterwards, traveling Negotiations Team members took questions and discussion points from the crowd.
Phil Smith launched the contract discussion citing negotiations achievements despite the long and arduous struggle. Between all the NY state unions in this contract season, only UUP received raises and contractual protection increases. Smith also noted effective steps for part-timer benefits in the new contract, including awarding part-time employees a $500 lump-sum bonus payment after eight years of consecutive service and every eight years thereafter. Before turning the spotlight over to Jamie Dangler, Smith informed attendees that detailed documents will reach their mailboxes in the next few weeks, including the new formal contract language side-by-side with the old and a question and answer section for many pressing concerns.
To follow along with Jamie Dangler’s visual and oral presentation of the Tentative Agreement, attendees received a contract summary pamphlet and a sheet detailing preventive care coverage under the Empire Plan (see page 14). As mentioned above, the Chief Contract Negotiator delivered a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the documentation provided to attendees.
Dangler subsequently opened up the floor for comments and questions. Concerns primarily revolved around the Deficit Reduction Plan, DSI, and how to manage three zeros amidst financially difficult times. While members have the option to vote down the Tentative Agreement, Smith warned against such action. He concluded that the Governor will go back to his four primary demands, remove all non-monetary agreements from the table, and even issue pink slips to employees.
Before discussion of the Tentative Agreement, the chapter budget for the 2013-2014 academic year was adopted unanimously (see page 10).
Phil Smith launched the contract discussion citing negotiations achievements despite the long and arduous struggle. Between all the NY state unions in this contract season, only UUP received raises and contractual protection increases. Smith also noted effective steps for part-timer benefits in the new contract, including awarding part-time employees a $500 lump-sum bonus payment after eight years of consecutive service and every eight years thereafter. Before turning the spotlight over to Jamie Dangler, Smith informed attendees that detailed documents will reach their mailboxes in the next few weeks, including the new formal contract language side-by-side with the old and a question and answer section for many pressing concerns.
To follow along with Jamie Dangler’s visual and oral presentation of the Tentative Agreement, attendees received a contract summary pamphlet and a sheet detailing preventive care coverage under the Empire Plan (see page 14). As mentioned above, the Chief Contract Negotiator delivered a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the documentation provided to attendees.
Dangler subsequently opened up the floor for comments and questions. Concerns primarily revolved around the Deficit Reduction Plan, DSI, and how to manage three zeros amidst financially difficult times. While members have the option to vote down the Tentative Agreement, Smith warned against such action. He concluded that the Governor will go back to his four primary demands, remove all non-monetary agreements from the table, and even issue pink slips to employees.
Before discussion of the Tentative Agreement, the chapter budget for the 2013-2014 academic year was adopted unanimously (see page 10).
