Dear Colleagues,
Please see the following information from Statewide President, Fred Kowal:
So, last week I got to share good news about our raises being in paychecks of November 22nd, which truly is welcome news. Unfortunately, I also sometimes have to share bad news, even when it’s expected. So, here goes…
Despite our advocacy for yet another extension, the NYS Office of Employee Relations has notified us that that the State will not once again relax the January 1 vacation accrual cap for a third year. They are reverting to existing contract language on the issue (see Article 23.2(d) of the State/UUP Agreement). As a result, all bargaining unit members who earn vacation, who still have vacation accruals in excess of 40 days on December 30, 2023, will have their accumulated vacation accruals reduced to 40 days on January 1, 2024.
Given this notice, we are encouraging members who have excess vacation accruals to use that leave if possible before January 1, 2024. If you are unable to use their accumulated vacation, one option is to donate that excess leave to members who are requesting donations though the leave donation program. If you are considering the option of donating time to co-workers in need, you should do so sooner rather than later to avoid running up against the Leave Donation Program provision that prohibits donation of time that will otherwise be forfeited (e.g., a member who wishes to donate 10 days of vacation time should not try donating it in the last two weeks of December).
Please be aware that while we are disappointed with the State’s decision, it is not a surprise – and remember that it is the state’s decision. UUPadvocated but this time ran up against a brick wall. The Office of Employee Relations had previously indicated that the January 1, 2022 suspension of the vacation accrual cap would be the last such extension. In addition, the State has also declined to further extend the relaxation of comparable vacation accrual caps for all of the other State bargaining units.
In Solidarity,
Fred