Phil Smith remembered the day more than two decades ago when a colleague asked him to get active in his union as chapter grievance officer. Now he’s the head of the nation’s largest higher education union.

UUP President Smith shared his introduction into UUP with nearly 100 budding union activists attending the Chapter Presidents/Vice Presidents Retreat and Spring New Leadership Workshops, held March 18-19 in Saratoga Springs.

“I told my colleague that I had some legal experience,” Smith said. “That’s when he hooked me.

“Now that we’ve hooked you, we’re going to reel you in.”

He was kidding, of course, and got a hearty chuckle from the group. But Smith wasn’t fooling about the challenges UUP and its new leaders will face on many fronts, or how he will not hesitate to call on them to act and to motivate others on behalf of SUNY and UUP.

“UUP is very concerned about the impact of ongoing cuts to SUNY’s operating budget, and how the elimination of all direct state aid to University hospitals would send the medical schools over the cliff with them,” Smith said. “You’ve taken the first step toward being a leader; we’re counting on you taking many more.”

To that end, UUP hosted its spring training session to help members hone their skills and learn a little more about how their union operates.

Chapter presidents and vice presidents headed into breakout sessions by campus type, while their newer cohorts attended workshops on problem solving, grievances, conquering bullying, and collective bargaining. The workshops were conducted by NYSUT labor relations specialists assigned to UUP.

“Forums for Problem Solving” included an overview of the different categories that problems fall under, and how to deal with problems through the grievance procedure, an improper practice charge, a harassment complaint, or a labor/ management setting.

“Manners Please: Conquering Bullying and Creating Civility in the Workplace” helped members identify bullying behaviors and use available approaches to resolve the problem.

The “Grievance” workshop covered the procedural requirements of UUP contract articles 7 and 19. There was also a discussion on the union’s duty of fair representation.

“Collective Bargaining and the Taylor Law” provided an overview of the Public Employees Fair Employment Act, which provides the legal basis for implementing collective bargaining for public employees.

— Karen L. Mattison