UUP is quickly moving through the first phase of the negotiations process—collecting input from members.

Members of the Negotiations Team began a whirlwind tour of chapters in September, during which they asked UUPers to share their thoughts regarding their terms and conditions of employment. The union will use the information gathered to craft a set of proposals for bargaining with the state. As The Voice went to press, Team members visited more than half of the 33 UUP chapters around the state.

The Negotiations Team, the Negotiations Committee and the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee are seeking member input in a number of ways, including an online member suggestion form at www.uupinfo.org/negotiations/index.html, a membership survey, a hearing at the 2010 Fall Delegate Assembly, and in face-to-face meetings with members.

“UUP is committed to giving every member ample opportunity to let their union know what they’d like to see in their contract,” said UUP President Phil Smith, who is constitutionally responsible for negotiations. “Members of the Negotiations Team are visiting all of our chapters to make it easier for members to speak their minds.”

“It is important for members to know that their comments and concerns will form the basis of what’s in our package of proposals when we sit down to negotiate with the state,” added UUP Chief Negotiator Jamie Dangler of Cortland. “In addition to telling us what you think in face-to-face meetings, we strongly encourage members to fill out the survey and online suggestion form.”

Smith will be sending letters to members explaining how to access the online survey.

Negotiations Team members traveled to North Country and Western New York chapters, and are wrapping up visits to Central and Southern New York, Nassau and Suffolk counties, the Mid-Hudson region, and Metropolitan-area chapters.

During the Fall DA in Buffalo, nearly 100 delegates were on hand to question members of the Team about terms and conditions of employment.

Among the topics raised by delegates—as well as by hundreds of members during campus visits—were health benefits, compensation and working conditions. Members also posed questions about specific topics of negotiations.

“Throughout the regions and across campus types, UUP academics and professionals are sharing similar stories about what’s really going on at SUNY,” said Associate Chief Negotiator Mike Smiles of Farmingdale. “And we’re listening.”

— Karen L. Mattison