UUP Cortland Chapter

Dear UUP Member:

We are committed to communicating with the membership about contract negotiations–to the greatest extent possible–as negotiations proceed. This is your contract, and we want members to be informed, involved, and active throughout the process.

To facilitate this communication, we have created a new Members-Only web portal. Here is the link to the portal:

https://uuphost.org/myuup/MembersOnly/check.php. A link to the portal is also accessible via the UUP website; click on the “UUP Negotiations Information” box in the top right corner of the page.

Conceptual proposals from UUP and the state, exchanged July 15 during our first bargaining session with the State, are now posted in the new Members-Only section.

The Members-Only section is password-protected; use the last five digits of your employee ID as your unique password to enter the site. Your employee ID can be found in the center of your pay stub, listed as “NYS EMPLID”.

Please do not publically share or post information found in the Members-Only section; this information is confidential and intended for UUP members only.

In Solidarity,

Fred

Dear UUP Members,

Please consider visiting UUP’s comment portal to submit comments and suggestions pertaining to the edTPA and other teacher certification exams:

http://uupinfo.org/committees/teached/teachercertcomments.php

The UUP leadership welcomes member comments and suggestions to inform our discussions with State Education Department officials, Board of Regents members, and legislators.

UUP has three representatives on a state edTPA Task Force, which was convened by the Board of Regents and has been charged to review issues and concerns raised by the field with regard to the edTPA. The state task force has been asked to assess all possible options – from the status quo (no policy change) to allowing institutions/programs to select other performance assessment options. Task Force meetings began in April 2016 and will continue through the summer. The next meeting is July 26.

UUP’s web portal is one avenue members can use to communicate their views and suggestions. Confidentiality is assured. Members can also e-mail or call me directly.

Thanks to all our Academics and Professionals in teacher education who have been communicating their views and experiences to the UUP leadership. We appreciate your updates as things continue to evolve.

Sincerely,
Jamie Dangler, PhD
Vice President for Academics
UUP Teacher Education Task Force chair
United University Professions
1-800-342-4206
jdangler@uupmail.org

Speakers from left to right: Joe Westbrook, President for UUP Cortland Chapter;   J. Philippe Abraham, VP for Professionals, UUP Statewide; Jennifer Drake, VP for Professionals, UUP Cortland Chapter; Jo Schaffer, UUP Statewide COARM Chair

HONOREES

Permanent Appointment

Holly Doty, Assistant Registrar for Student Systems
James FitzGerald, Coordinator for Circulation Help, Library
Heather Haight, Financial Aid Advisor
Katherine Ingraham, Assistant Director, Residence Life and Housing, Operations
Michael Johnson, Associate Director, Admissions
Elizabeth Speziale, Research Foundation Fiscal Officer
Mason Young, Assistant Coordinator, Campus Security Systems

Service Recognition

35 years

Jean Brown, Associate Director, Residence Life and Housing, Operations

30 years

Michael Yonta, Senior Software Engineer (SAWS) (pictured on Right below)
 

25 years

Mark DePaull, Assistant Chief of Police (pictured on Left below)
 

20 years

Jesse Adams, Sport Facilities Manager, Campus Activities
Andrew Funk, Instructional Support Technician, Biology
Irene Maffetore, Instructional Support Technician, Chemistry
Thomas Spanbauer, Head Coach, Men's Basketball
Jennifer Wilson, Associate Director, Public Relations

15 years

Wendy Brooks, Community Relations Associate, Public Relations
Holly Doty, Assistant Registrar for Student Systems
Gerard Hill, Senior Technology Support Specialist
Joel Pape, Assistant Technical Director, Performing Arts
Benjamin Patrick, Senior Network Technician 
Rhonda Pitoniak, Assistant Director, Parks Family Outdoor Cnt.
Daniel Sidebottom, Director, Administrative Computing
Michael Sills, Staff Assistant, Performing Arts
Daniel Surdam, Associate Director, Sports Information
Kellie Swartwout, Senior Financial Aid Advisor

10 years

William Ahem,  Residence Hall Director
Linda Battin, Manager, Financial Operations
Mark Bischoff, Academic Tutor (ASAP)
Erin Boylan, Associate Director, Alumni Engagement
Jennifer Drake, Academic Tutor (ASAP)
Jennifer Janes, Director, The Cortland Fund
Jennifer Kronenbitter, Associate Director, Library
Juanita Larrabee, Assistant Director, Administration (FPDC)
Sheila Morse, Financial Operations Specialist
Lisa Mostert, Technology Support Assistant
Linette Mowers, Assistant Director, General Services
Jillian Tucker, Assistant Director of Admissions
Sophia Weber, Technology Support Specialist
Joseph Westbrook, Project Coordinator (FPDC)
Sandra Wohlleber, Associate Director, Campus Activities and Greek Affairs

If you would like to donate a basket, please stop by the Union office at B-5 Moffett on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10am – 1pm before May 11th.

Colleagues,

A statewide walk-out by SUNY students has been planned for Friday, March 4th at 12:00 PM. The walk-out has been planned in protest of a rational tuition increase and NY SUNY 2020. I have been informed that some Chapters are considering ways to support and participate in this protest. After consulting with our legal staff, I feel it is necessary to write to you to discuss several very important facts that must be understood.

First, and most directly, participation in any such action (a strike or other concerted stoppage of work or slowdown by public employees) is barred by New York State Civil Service Law (a/k/a, the Taylor Law). Since the law stipulates that employees taking concerted action by walking out of their professional obligation to protest working conditions meets this definition, it is imperative that we all make clear to our members that UUP does not endorse or encourage our sisters’ and brothers’ participation in this event. Should they take part, they could well face the punishment of a loss of two days’ pay for the day used for the action.

Second, under New York State law, no public employee or employee organization can instigate, encourage, or condone a strike or a similar action. If UUP were to be found to have encouraged a strike, we would face legal action potentially leading to the loss of agency fee.

Although we certainly support students free speech rights and applaud their activism, please be aware – that as with the adjunct action that took place last year – we cannot support, encourage or condone this particular action.

In the meantime, please understand the seriousness of this situation. As President of UUP, I am duty-bound to insure that our union abides by the law. To do otherwise is to endanger the union I was elected to lead, as well as the 35,000 members whom we serve.

In Solidarity,
Fred Kowal

Sign the petition now! Tell the legislature that our state needs jobs that boost the economy and allow families to meet the basics.

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/petition-fight-for-15-new-york?clear_id=true&referrer=central-ny-area-labor-federation-afl-cio&source=direct_link&can_id=479864af9abfa7b517a3557f1aee76f2&email_referrer=cny-alf-workers-wrap-02-25-16&email_subject=cny-alf-workers-wrap-02-25-16&link_id=10