Dear Colleagues,
You may have seen that UB recently announced the fee to secure a parking hang tag for 2021-2022 is going up from $9.65 to $12.50. Both chapters of UUP met with Employee Relations to discuss UB’s desire to increase the fee. We are writing to explain why, despite entailing an increase, this change is evidence of your Union’s strength and commitment to you.
The minimal increase is a reflection of the negotiations UUP has carried out on your behalf over the years. The last time the fee was increased was in 2008. At that time, UB wanted to increase the fee from $6.50 to $14.92, and discussions with UUP successfully limited the increase to $9.65. In 2012, UB spoke again of increasing the fee to $11.00 but UUP was successful in stopping any increase from going through at that time.
This year, UB sought an increase to $15.00. Per the Contract, they shared information to show that the costs of printing, distribution, fee collection and record keeping have gone up significantly in the last 13 years. Nevertheless, they were persuaded by our argument that members paid for hang tags last year but never got to use them. As a result, we were able to stagger the increase over two years. The increase will therefore be limited this year to $12.50 and to $15.00 next year.
Never doubt how hard your Union works for you, our members, year after year, day after day. We care because you do.
In Solidarity,
Ken Kern
Chapter President
UUP Buffalo Center