Author: Derrick

Dear Colleagues,

Working with UUP chapter leaders, Labor Relations Specialists and members, we have been closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. In over 40 years of working together, we have never experienced something quite like this. The effects of widespread closures, the transition to online-learning, and the strain this will put on our hospitals and health science centers is unprecedented.

We want to take this moment to thank each and every one of our members for the valuable work you do on campus and in your communities every day. Now more than ever, the need for quality public services has never been more apparent. Our members’ creativity in providing quality public education and dedication to top-notch healthcare is truly what makes SUNY great.

At this time, we are currently experiencing a high volume of calls with questions and concerns. We are working together diligently to help each other find solutions and resources needed in times of crisis. Our conversations with the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) and SUNY are ongoing. And we have been successful on several fronts to expand the number of our members who are excused from work or authorized to work from home. As we receive questions and concerns from members, we are pressing for more from GOER and SUNY.

I would like to share the following UUP COVID-19 resource page: https://uupinfo.org/resources/covid19/. This page will be updated as quickly as possible. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the information and share it with your colleagues. And, please check back often.

Additionally, at the bottom of the resource page you will find a place to submit any issues you have, or information that you have received. We want to make sure that your concerns and voices are being heard.

As always we are better together. Wishing good health to you and your loved ones.

In solidarity,
Fred

Dear Colleagues:

In our efforts to address all aspects of the coronavirus’ impacts on our members, their professional lives, and health and safety, we have been working closely with the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations and SUNY. We have also been in close communication with the Governor and his staff.

As you may know, the Governor just announced that SUNY and CUNY will be going to all online format for the remainder of the spring semester. This brings into sharp focus a number of issues that we have been working on with SUNY. We will expedite that work immediately. We have also been receiving a great deal of information from nearly all chapters concerning what is being planned for this new reality. It is imperative that all chapters continue to keep us informed of all information management is providing.

The situation is changing by the moment and we will do our best to provide all the information we have as quickly as possible for you to disseminate to our membership.

In Solidarity,
Fred

DATE: Thursday, February 20, 2020

LOCATION: Warner Hall 120

TIME: 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Appendix 42 of the UUP/State agreement sets forth all the ways academics and professionals can have time off for various family purposes. This workshop will walk you through the provisions, including the new Paid Family Leave, so that you can better understand the options available to you.

Lunch will be provided.  R.S.V.P. is requested by Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Dear UUP Chapter Presidents and Executive Board Members,

I’ve learned that in response to the devastating earthquakes that have struck Puerto Rico over the last week, AFT has created a donation page to provide relief aid for the citizens of Puerto Rico victimized by these natural disasters: https://www.aft.org/puerto-rico-earthquake-relief

There is also a dire need for infant formula due to contaminated water sources and lack of refrigeration. So there is a separate link for donations to provide safe infant formula for Puerto Rico: https://www.mattoslactation.com/blog/natural-disaster-infantfeeding-pr

Please share these links with your UUP Chapter Leadership and members. Together, UUP can help make a difference in the recovery efforts for Puerto Rico!

In Solidarity,
Rich Veenstra

Richard Veenstra, Ph.D.
UUP Upstate Medical Chapter President
Region 2 Political Coordinator
315-422-5028
rveenstra@uupmail.org

PlanetFitness

Dear Colleagues, 

Great news! I am pleased to inform you that the federal district court has issued a decision dismissing the case in Seidemann, et al. v. Professional Staff Congress, et al. in its entirety.   

This case was a post-Janus class-action lawsuit against UUP, PSC, NYSUT, AFT and other unions.  The plaintiffs were agency fee payers whose agency fee withholding stopped immediately following the Supreme Court’s decision in Janus.   In this suit, the plaintiffs brought a variety of claims against the unions, chief among them a claim seeking repayment of all agency fees paid by the plaintiffs and other class members prior to the Janus decision.   The district court dismissed the case in its entirely.  In doing so it held that UUP and the other unions could not be required to repay agency fees collected prior to the decision in Janus as the unions were entitled to rely in good faith on Supreme Court decisions prior to Janus which found agency fees constitutional. 

We are fully anticipating that the plaintiffs will appeal the district court’s decision in our case.  However, the court’s decision was consistent with a growing number of similar federal court decisions across the country, including a number of federal appeals court decisions, affirming the “good faith” defense against agency fee repayment claims.  

For those of you who are interested in reading it, the decision is attached below.   

127126173091

At a time when I am sure all of us are eager for good news, it’s nice to get a little bit at the start of the year.  

In Solidarity,

Fred