May 2026

President’s Message

Brothers and sisters, Summer is creeping up fast, and we will all be turning our thoughts to vacations and barbecues, but here in UUP, there is much going on. We are still waiting on the state budget; our contract expires in a month and a half, so negotiations are top of mind. We are pushing hard to fix Tier 6. I am doing my best to ensure our voices at the SBHSC are being heard in the chapter, in UUP, in NYSUT, and in the AFT. The chapter members deserve a strong contract as well as a good retirement.

At present, contract negotiations are progressing steadily. UUP and the State have engaged in several productive discussions, with meaningful progress being achieved. The negotiations team continues to work diligently to secure a contract that reflects and supports the diverse needs of our membership.

Members can play an important role in this process by taking available actions. To learn how you can contribute to securing a strong agreement, please review the resources provided. For ongoing updates, visit the UUP members-only page. Additionally, it is important to ensure that UUP has your current mailing address, as all ratification materials will be sent to your address of record.

Please note that only active UUP members will be eligible to vote on contract ratification. To participate, you must be a member at the time a tentative agreement is reached. If you are not currently a member and would like to take part in the ratification process, you may join here: https://uupunion.org/myuup/Membership/.

UUP is also working in close collaboration with NYSUT to advocate for reforms to Tier 6, to align it more closely with Tier 4 benefits. This effort has significantly impacted the timeline for the New York State final budget agreement. In March, NYSUT organized a rally in Albany that drew more than 15,000 participants in support of improving Tier 6. While there are indications of progress, the outcome is not yet finalized.

Members are encouraged to contact their state representatives to express support for Tier 6 reform. You can find your Assembly representative here: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/, and your State Senator here: https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator.

BACK TO TOP

Performance Programs and Evaluations:

Performance Programs:  As June approaches, many professionals will begin receiving their new performance programs. This is a good time to remind everyone that, under our contract, the development of a performance program is a collaborative process. It must be created only through discussion between the employee and their immediate supervisor. Each member has one immediate supervisor, and that is the person to whom they report.

Please read your performance program carefully—especially the expectations section. Expectations must be specific and measurable, not vague or subjective.

If anyone other than your immediate supervisor will be providing input on your performance, they must be listed as secondary sources, and the nature of their involvement must be discussed with you and documented on the form.

You are not required to sign the document immediately. You have the right to take a reasonable amount of time to review it. Ultimately, whether you agree with the content or not, you are required to sign it. Your signature simply acknowledges receipt only, not agreement.If you disagree with any part of the performance program, you may submit an addendum within 10 days of receiving it.

Evaluations: will also be coming to the professionals soon. The evaluation is a prospective document that reviews the events of the previous year. It should contain no surprises, nothing that you haven’t already heard, particularly negative commentary. Once again, you have the right for a reasonable amount of time to review your evaluation, as there is contractually supposed to be a draft document before the final document.

You have the right to question and request modification of the content. If, ultimately, you don’t agree with the final evaluation, you must sign it, but, you can write a rebuttal that will be filed along with the evaluation in your HR personnel file. If you receive an evaluation that is summarized as unsatisfactory, bring it to the UUP office immediately.

BACK TO TOP

Individual Development Awards (IDA)

First, I would like to remind all of the members that the second round of the IDAs will be coming to a close on Sunday, May 31st at 5 p.m.  I have sent emails to all current applicants that are attending conferences and submitting for lodging expenses, and it is important that I put this information out to the membership.  This is crucial if you would like to be reimbursed for your expenses. 
Once you have the cost of your lodging, go to the General Services Administration’s website, scroll down to the map, and click on the state that is hosting your conference.  There will be a list of cities or a standard rate if the host city is not listed.  This is the maximum that OER will approve unless the expense is accompanied by a justification.  Once you submit your application for the IDA, if your lodging expense exceeds the GSA rate, you must submit a justification for the expense.  The justification must be a Word document, and it must be submitted via email to UUP_HSC@stonybrookmedicine.edu.  OER will only reimburse at the GSA rate without the justification.  

The first round (7/2/25 – 12/31/25) awards have been evaluated, and the approved amount has been forwarded from OER.  However, there were significant deductions made because of the lodging cost.  A Member of the IDA committee will be reaching out to obtain a justification for the amount exceeding the GSA maximum for lodging.  We will be fighting for complete reimbursement of the lodging costs for those that supply justifications.

Meals will only be reimbursed at the GSA rate, period.  There is no allowable justification for higher meal reimbursement. Receipts are required if the meals are not coupled with lodging, if simply requesting reimbursement for meals.

BACK TO TOP

CLEFR/CLRP delayed reimbursement

As many of you know, the CLEFR/CLRP programs have experienced serious delays in reimbursement.  I would like to explain the situation.  The certification and licensure reimbursements are administered in Albany by the Office of Employee Relations.  That office had one individual who was reviewing and processing the applications for the program.  The program served all of UUP, 32 campuses, and 3 health sciences centers.  The individual who was processing the applications retired at the end of 2025.  But OER, being proactive, hired a replacement.  Unfortunately, the replacement quit, and there was no contingency for that.  It took them a significant amount of time to find someone to fill that role and train them.  By the way, the same person was responsible for reviewing the IDAs.  The good news is that as of 5/13, OER states the applications are being processed.  I will be contacting them to ask for a list of applications that have been processed and those that are pending.  Rest assured that any qualified application will be reimbursed.

BACK TO TOP

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.

Back to Top

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 a webform 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.

Back to top

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

Back to top

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.

back to top

Loading