UUP was contacted by the state in July to begin the process of contract negotiations.

As The Voice went to press, UUP and state negotiators tentatively scheduled Aug. 25 as their first meeting date.

UUP President Phil Smith and Chief Negotiator Jamie Dangler of Cortland held a joint meeting Aug. 11 of the union’s Negotiations Team, Negotiations Committee and chapter presidents to provide information about the negotiations process and to address questions from chapter leaders.

As negotiations proceed, chapter leaders will be provided with updates for distribution to members, and information will be regularly posted to the UUP website (www.uupinfo.org). Click on the “2011 Negotiations Information” link under Latest Information on the right hand side of the UUP home page.

Meanwhile, the Team continues to meet to discuss specific strategies on a number of issues previously outlined by the membership.

UUPers should feel free to contact Dangler at contract@uupmail.org for further information or to submit questions or comments.

— Karen L. Mattison