UUP Cortland Chapter

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

Employees enrolled in the Flex Spending Account (FSA) for the 2015 plan year have until March 31, 2016, to send in reimbursement requests for eligible 2015 expenses incurred under the Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account.

FSA reimbursement requests may be mailed, faxed or submitted online through www.myFBMC.com.

For more information, log on to www.flexspend.ny.gov or call 1-800-358-7202.

The contract for the NYS-Balance resource and referral service, jointly funded by the State and the unions, expires on December 31, 2015. If you need information or assistance related to resources and referrals, please contact the NYS Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at (800) 822-0244 (24/7) or nyseap@eap.ny.gov. You will be connected with an EAP coordinator who will be able to provide you with customized resources and referrals for a wide range of issues including work, family, daily life, finances, health and well-being, mental health, addiction, and stress. A list of EAP coordinators is available at http://www.worklife.ny.gov/eap/coordinatorlist.cfm?limit_to=all.