February 2026

Chapter Meeting 3/5/26 Noon -1pm

Please join us on Thursday, 3/5/26, from noon to 1 pm for a chapter member meeting. Statewide President, Fred Kowal, will be presenting to the membership the UUP contract proposals and the current state of negotiations. Our treasurer will also be presenting the proposed budget for the 26/27 fiscal year. The meeting is a member-only event, and registration is required. There will be in-person and virtual options for participating. Please bring your questions to address to President Kowal at the meeting. Lunch will be provided for those appearing at the meeting in person. We ask that you RSVP so we can plan accordingly. The location and link will be emailed before the meeting. Register here.

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Spring IDA Round to Open Soon

The spring round of the Individual Development Award (IDA) will open soon. The IDA is a program that UUP-represented employees can use for continuing education and professional development. The IDA is a grant that can be used for events such as conferences or for the costs of continuing education. The IDA funding is limited to a maximum of $2000 per fiscal year (July 2 to June 30). The grant periods are divided into two rounds, with one covering the period from July 2nd to December 31st, and the second from January 1st to June 30th. The grant can cover up to $2000 conference expenses (registration, travel, food*, and lodging*), tuition (not fees or materials).

*Food and lodging reimbursement may be subject to NYS perdiem limits. Expenditures in excess may require justification for approval by OER

The application process is fully online there is a fillable PDF that must be downloaded from the link below. The document must be filled in electronically (use Acrobat Reader). The document is designed to capture all expenses and reimbursements. Any Stony Brook related reimbursements must be included on the application. The entire program guidelines can be accessed here. It is imperitive to read them before submission, as accurately following the guidelines will expedite the review and approval of the application.

There is also awebform application that must be filled out completely. The webform application collects basic demographic information and serves as a repository for all of the grant-related documentation. The webform application requires the uploading of the completed and signed PDF application, a current resume (CV), a description of the program the funds will be used for, and any receipts or payments made to complete the project or event.

The chapter will be scheduling workshops during the application portal open period. Please continue to follow the chapter emails.

In order to get a headstart on the process, until the online portal opens, familiarize yourself with the program guidelines and application instructions. The program guidelines, PDF application, and instructions can be accessed at the links below.

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Attention Academics and Professionals!!

Do you have issues in your department? Would you like to be part of the solution? We need your input. Consider joining our academic or professional, concerns committee. The charge of the committees is to determine issues important to the respective categories. Issues can then be brought forward and resolved through labor management discussions and negotiations.

The committees are being formed to create an open line of communication between our members and the chapter leadership. At the HSC chapter, we have over 6,000 members at various locations. It is impossible for the leadership to know what’s going on at a location or in a department at a location without proper information from the membership. The UUP leadership would rather be proactive than reactive. Many issues can be resolved in the labor management arena before they become larger issues or problems. But in order to attain the goals, we need participation and information from our membership. Consider participating on the committee appropriate for your category or as a department representative.

The committees are run by the chapter vice presidents of their respective categories and they can relate to the types of issues that may present themselves to our membership. Issues may be related to, but not limited to, workload, leaves, compensation, etc. We need to have member participation as either a committee member or a department representative to serve the membership in the best possible way.

To join either committee or volunteer as a department representative, please submit the online form that can be accessed here

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January 2026

Ready to Bargain

UUP SET TO OPEN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE STATE

After months of intensive preparation, UUP is officially ready to begin negotiations with New York State. Our Negotiations Team and Committee have worked tirelessly to craft a bold, thoughtful package of proposals that reflects the needs and priorities of our diverse membership.

On February 4, UUP’s negotiators will meet with the Governor’s team to exchange proposals and launch what will become a series of regular bargaining sessions. From that point forward, we will be fully engaged at the table—focused, unified, and determined to secure the strongest possible contract for every member.

UUP represents a wide range of titles, workplaces, and needs. Our bargaining package includes items that reflect that breadth. Reaching agreement on all of our priorities will be challenging, but your Negotiations Team is fully committed to delivering meaningful, equitable improvements. We intend to build on the progress of the last contract and push even further.

Our current Agreement expires July 1, 2026. This time, we want something we haven’t had in recent memory:

An on‑time contract.
No delayed raises.
No stalled programs.
No uncertainty.

A timely, member‑focused agreement is our goal-and we are fighting for it.

In the past, the State has delayed coming to the bargaining table until a contract was at or near expiration. Securing an early start this round is a major achievement, made possible by the energy and involvement of UUP members across the state. Together, we’ve built momentum through negotiations, town halls, a comprehensive bargaining survey completed by more than 13,000 members, weekly “Know Your Contract” workshops, and numerous campus engagement events.

Since April, our Negotiations Team has met regularly to develop an ambitious and transformative proposal package grounded in extensive member feedback. Now, we are ready!

But to win the contract we deserve, we need you with us—every step of the way.


Here’s what you can do right now!

✔ Register for the Virtual Town Hall

Join us on February 3 at noon to kick off negotiations and demonstrate your support for our bargaining team.

✔ Log in to the UUP Members’ Only Page

Read our first Negotiations Bulletin, where you’ll find updates, details from the table, and opportunities to take action. And don’t keep it to yourself—encourage colleagues to log in too. Need sign‑in help? Call 518‑640‑6624.

✔ Request a “Ready to Bargain” Poster

Display it proudly on your door or window to show solidarity.

✔ Wear UUP or Red on February 4

Snap a photo, post it with #UUPContract, and tag @uupinfo to amplify our collective presence. If you don’t already have a T-shirt, contact the UUP office

✔ Become a Rapid Responder

Make sure you’re the first to receive critical updates, announcements, and action alerts.

We are prepared. We are united. And with your continued involvement, we will secure the strong, timely contract our members deserve.

ARE YOU A MEMBER?

Now more than ever, it is important to ensure you are a member of UUP! We are on the threshold of negotiations, and our success is dependent on the strength of our membership. When the matters we bring to the state directly affect our members, our bargaining power in negotiations becomes considerably stronger.

The state closely tracks our membership numbers as a measure of how engaged and unified we are. UUP is committed to securing the strongest contract possible, and achieving that requires full participation from everyone in the bargaining unit. When all eligible employees stand together as members, we demonstrate our collective strength and amplify our voice at the bargaining table. We need every physician, resident, adjunct, per diem, academic, and professional to be part of this effort. Join now and help us deliver a strong, meaningful contract.

In addition, only UUP members can participate in the process by providing input and ultimately voting on the final agreement. We all should exercise our right to vote when it is afforded to us. If you are not a member, please consider joining us to make sure OUR contract is the best possible and everyone is represented! Use the link below to join!

Join us in UUP

PROFESSIONAL SURVEY RESULTS TO BE PRESENTED

The comprehensive analysis of the recent professional survey is now complete and the results are ready to be shared with our professional membership. Conducted throughout the fall, this survey garnered responses from approximately 30% of our professional staff, offering crucial insights into key areas such as workload, compensation, and promotion opportunities. These findings, carefully examined by the UUP Research Department, provide a valuable foundation for advancing our collective goals.

We invite all professional members to attend a detailed presentation of these results on February 12th. The meeting will be held onsite at the Health Sciences Center (HSC) and also accessible virtually for your convenience. Carolyn Kube, our Statewide Vice President for Professionals, will lead the presentation and discussion.

This exclusive member-only event offers a pivotal opportunity to engage directly with the data that impacts our work conditions and professional growth. Your participation is essential to shaping our future direction. Please confirm your attendance by RSVPing through the link below.

CONSIDER HELPING A MEMBER IN NEED.

Please consider donating some of your accrued vacation days to colleagues in need who are facing long-term illnesses.

Your generous donation can make a meaningful difference, providing vital time and support to fellow employees during difficult times. Together, we can help each other thrive.

Thank you for your kindness and solidarity.

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