(Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of articles exploring some of the highlights in UUP’s new four-year contract with New York state.)
The 2007-2011 bargaining agreement between the state and UUP earmarks more than $10 million in grants for the New York State/UUP Joint Labor-Management Committees (JLMC).
“The joint labor-management programs offer our members a terrific opportunity to enhance their careers,” said UUP President Phillip Smith. “Thanks to the hard work of our Negotiations Team, the opportunities continue to grow.”
Eligible UUPers can receive joint labor-management awards in six categories, with a statewide committee overseeing applications and awards in each category. They are: Professional Development; Affirmative Action/Diversity; Campus Grants; Employment; Safety and Health; and Technology.
A new Supervisor Training Program is now available as part of the JLMC’s Professional Development Committee. The program boasts an online series of modules for supervisors or those interested in becoming supervisors.
Self-study courses range from ethics and team-building skills, to sexual harassment prevention training, to using effective counseling to improve employee productivity.
Employees may opt to have their campus notified of their completion of each module to create a record of professional development.
Members are encouraged to take advantage of all the joint labor-management grant programs.
- The Professional Development Committee (Article 42) handles grant applications for three programs: The Individual Development Awards Program, which assist members with their professional development needs for travel, study or similar activities; the Leave for Calendar Year Employees Program, which provides campuses with the replacement salaries of members on leave; and the new Supervisor Training Program.
- The Affirmative Action/Diversity Committee (Article 10) offers grants in two categories, the Dr. Nuala McGann Drescher Affirmative Action/Diversity Award Program and the Grants for Employees with Disabilities Program. Drescher awards support members who need resources to develop their scholarly achievements before being reviewed for continuing appointment. Preference is given to applicants who are minorities, women, veterans and employees with disabilities.
The Grants for Employees with Disabilities Program provides funding for additional disability-related expenses for professional work-related activities.
- The Campus Grants Committee (Article 45) supplements campus funding for single or multi-campus projects that develop or enhance cooperative problem-solving in the areas of professional development, creative use and understanding of technology, safer working conditions, employment security and understanding and facilitating diversity in the workplace.
- The Employment Committee (Article 35) oversees three programs. The Enrollment Enhancement Program funds projects that assist departments with declining student enrollments. The Retraining Fellowship and Employment Counseling and Placement programs are for employees who have been retrenched or at high risk of retrenchment. The first helps members pay for additional studies; the second offers funds for resumé preparation, employment counseling, placement fees and related expenses.
- The Technology Committee (Article 44) supports projects and activities that positively influence the academic environment through technology. It is designed to improve access to existing technological tools and provide training in the use and application of technology to enhance educational opportunities.
- The Safety and Health Committee (Article 43) provides employees with the opportunity to develop and enhance their ability to identify and control workplace hazards.
The deadline is Feb. 2, 2009, to apply for Dr. Nuala McGann Drescher Affirmative Action/Diversity grants for the fall 2009 or spring 2010 semesters.
Deadlines vary for the other JLMC programs. For more information, go to the UUP Web site, www.uupinfo.org, and click on JLM Grant Programs.
— Karen L. Mattison