Author: Kathy Farrell

Categories
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion General

Race and the Economy Training

On October 26, 2023, the Capital District Area Labor Federation will hold a training on Race and the Economy. We will be discussing how race and wealth have been inextricably linked throughout the history of our Nation. We will cover ways that the union movement can act with community allies to create an economy that works for all working people.

The flyer for the event explains further what the training will be about and what we are trying to accomplish.

Please register for the training at this link: https://forms.gle/fJeF5NiaRgBEXtqP7.  The internet address for registration is also in the flyer.

Date, Time & Address

October 26, 2023
Capital District Area Labor Federation
890 Third St., Albany, NY 12206
2nd Floor
4:00 – 8:00 PM

Categories
Professional Development

Expand Your Microsoft Office Knowledge With FREE Online Learning

The Empire KnowledgeBank (EKB) has over 10,000 resources, including books, audiobooks, courses, and videos.

Microsoft Office topics available through EKB include:

  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Outlook
  • Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)Certification
  • Microsoft Office 365
  • SharePoint
  • OneNote

To apply for an EKB license:

EKB License Guidelines (ny.gov) and EKB License Application (ny.gov)

For more information, download the flyer.

Categories
Contract Negotiations General

2023-26 State/UUP Agreement – Effective Dates and Implementation Dates

A letter from UUP President Fred Kowal:

As we continue to work with the State and SUNY on implementation of the new terms of the 2023-26 State/UUP Agreement, I write to update you on the current information we have regarding implementation dates.  Attached to this message, you will find a summary of the new provisions of the 2023-26 Agreement which includes the dates on which those provisions become effective and the dates that we anticipate the contractual provisions will be implemented.  

Most members are asking about when the retroactive 2022 and 2023 across-the-board salary increases will be paid.  The State has not yet officially announced pay dates for implementation of the 2022 and 2023 salary increases.  The pay dates included in the attachment reflect the best current information we have regarding implementation.  The official announcement is dependent on completion of the payroll system coding and OSC payroll instructions.  While we anticipate those dates will be the actual payment dates, they are potentially subject to change.     

We have also received many questions about when and how the new Paid Parenting Leave (PPL) benefit can be used, particularly since it is retroactive to April 11, 2023.  I am pleased to announce that the Office of State Comptroller has now released the OSC Payroll Bulletin with the pay code for and instructions on implementation of PPL, SUNY Bulletin No. SU-342.1 | Office of the New York State Comptroller.   We also anticipate that SUNY will soon release additional instructions about retroactive implementation for members who seek to use PPL instead of previously charged NYS Paid Family Leave (PFL).   The release of these instructions should clear up most of the issues we have been having with campus HR departments regarding implementation of PPL.

Please feel free to share this information, including the information in the attachment, with your members.   

In Solidarity,
Fred

Frederick E. Kowal, Ph.D.
President
United University Professions

Effective Dates and Implementation DatesDownload
Categories
General

Join UUP for Labor Day Events

Join UUP, the AFL-CIO, Central Labor Councils across New York State, and our coalition partners for Labor Day celebrations as we honor the hard work of our union colleagues and friends. In an important showing of solidarity, on Labor Day, Monday, September 4, working people across the country will celebrate the achievements of the labor movement. Please join us for events happening across the state. In addition, UUP will participate in the Albany Labor Day Parade on Friday, September 8, and the nation’s largest Labor Day Parade in New York City on Saturday, September 9.

See the flyer for information on the Labor Day events in which UUP will be participating. We urge you to join us and bring family and friends—please also share this information with your colleagues.

Click HERE to register and find out more information about an event near you:

  • Western New York: Labor Day Parade, Sept. 4
  • Syracuse, NY: NYS Fair Labor Day Parade, Sept. 4
  • Massena, NY: Labor Day Parade and Solidarity Celebration, Sept. 4
  • Rochester, NY: Labor Day Parade, Sept. 4
  • Capital District: Albany Labor Day Parade, Sept. 8
  • New York City: NYC Labor Day Parade, Sept. 9
Categories
General

Labor Picnics in the Capital District

The Capital District Area Labor Federation is happy to invite all Albany-area union members, including UUP members and staff, to two exciting Labor events. 

A Kick -Off to Labor Union Picnic!

Sunday, August 27 from 1pm – 4pm

American Legion on Grooms Rd in Halfmoon, NY 

There will be food, fun and family-friendly games.  All are encouraged to attend this fun Labor event! RSVPs are appreciated.  Please register at: https://forms.gle/UEpfNYVzUFsdrBer9

Capital District Solidarity Committee’s Labor Day Picnic and Celebration

Monday, Sept. 4 from Noon – 5:00PM

Cook Park in Colonie, NY

Hot Dogs and Hamburgers will be served and potluck as well, so please bring a dish to share. There will be music and awards. The event is free and open to everyone.

Categories
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion General Professional Development

FREE Professional Development Opportunities

Books, Courses and Videos Anytime, Anywhere, 24/7 Access

Online eLearning is perfect for busy professionals and academics. Empire Knowledgebank (EKB) eLearning program allows employees to access eLearning products provided by Skillsoft Percipio.

Get your free license today!

What would you like to learn?

Empire Knowledgebank (EKB) has 1000’s of learning opportunities.

  • A refresher on Microsoft products?
  • Time management?
  • Leadership skills?
  • Respectful Communication?
  • Project Management?

EKB also offers Certifications:

  • Human Resources Certification (HRCI)
  • CompTIA
  • Digital Marketing Institute
  • Project Management Institute (PMI)
  • Microsoft Office

And many more!

For more information, download this general flyer.

Featured training for August 2023 is topics in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): download the DEI flyer.

Categories
General

Union Strong Weekend at Yankee Stadium is only two weeks away!

Enjoy an exciting game with your union family.

Tickets that include a free t-shirt, hot dog and a  drink are available for union members and their families/friends!

Union Strong Weekend at Yankee Stadium

Friday, July 21st at 7:05pm

Saturday, July 22nd at 1:05pm

Sunday, July 23rd at 1:35pm

We hope to see you there!

In solidarity,

New York State AFL-CIO

GET TICKETS

Categories
Contract Negotiations General

Updated 2023 Tentative Agreement Meetings

Our chapter hosted a Tentative Agreement Meeting on June 27. If you were unable to attend or would like to attend a meeting in person you can attend any chapter visit at any campus (schedule shown below) Our Chapter Assistant Mary Vetter can help with logistics if you’d like to attend. Email her at: empire@uupmail.org.

In addition to in-person presentations, there will be four options to join a statewide virtual session.  Those are listed at the bottom of the schedule below. The link to register for the virtual sessions can be found in the UUP rotator at www.uupinfo.org and via this link:  Registration for Virtual Briefing Session.

UUP Tentative Agreement Chapter Briefing SessionsDownload

If you are unable to use the PDF file, the text version is below:

  • New Paltz: 6/26 @ 11:30 am
  • Delhi: 6/26 @ 3 pm
  • Albany: 6/27 @ 12 pm
  • SUNY Empire: 6/27 @ 3:30 pm
  • Upstate/ESF: 6/28 @ 1 pm; 5 pm
  • Buffalo Center: 7/10 @ 12 pm
  • Fredonia: 7/10 @ 1 pm
  • Buffalo State: 7/10 @ 4 pm
  • Buffalo HSC: 7/10 @ 5 pm
  • Brockport: 7/11 @ 11 am
  • Geneseo: 7/11 @ 11 am
  • Alfred: 7/11 @ 3 pm
  • Polytechnic: 7/13 @ 11 am
  • Morrisville: 7/13 @ 4 pm
  • Oswego: 7/14 @ 12 pm
  • DMC: 7/17 @ 9 am and 12 pm
  • Farmingdale: 7/17 @ 10 am
  • Old Westbury: 7/17 @ 1 pm
  • Purchase: 7/18 @ 10 am
  • Cobleskill: 7/19 @ 10 am
  • Oneonta: 7/20 @ 11 am
  • Binghamton: 7/20 @ 3 pm
  • Cortland: 7/21 @ 10 am
  • Maritime: 7/24 @ 11 am
  • Optometry: 7/24 @ 3 pm
  • Stony Brook: 7/24 @ 3 pm
  • System Admin: 7/25 @ 12 pm
  • SB HSC: 7/25 @ 7:30 am; 12:30 pm
  • Potsdam: 7/27 @ 12 pm
  • Canton: 7/27 @ 4 pm
  • Plattsburgh: 7/28 @ 10 am

UUP Virtual Tentative Agreement Briefing Sessions

  • July 12 @ 12 – 2 pm
  • July 18 @ 4 – 6 pm
  • July 19 @ 3 – 5 pm
  • July 26 @ 12 – 2 pm

The link to register for the virtual sessions can be found in the UUP rotator at www.uupinfo.org and via this link:  Registration for Virtual Briefing Session.

Categories
Benefits General

Psych Hub: UUP’s newest member benefit

Psych Hub is a comprehensive online platform offering evidence-based education and resources on mental health, substance use and suicide prevention topics. It provides information and solutions for individuals, mental health providers and support professionals, including a free library of over 100 short, animated videos on mental health, substance use and suicide prevention.  More information about this benefit can be found by clicking this link: Psych Hub

UUP has a second connection to Psych Hub. Former Rhode Island Sen. Patrick Kennedy, who sat for a lengthy interview with UUP President Fred Kowal on the latest episode of UUP’s The Voice Podcast, is a co-founder of Psych Hub.

Categories
Advocacy and Action

Rutgers Contract Fight

Dear Colleagues,

As I write this, thousands of Rutgers University faculty, gradate workers, postdocs and staff are fighting for a fair contract, nine months after the previous agreement expired. The situation is escalating, and the three campus unions that represent these workers are asking for our support.

UUP stands in solidarity with our union colleagues at Rutgers University. We strongly and loudly support them in their fight for a fair contract, which recognizes their hard work and dedication to their students and to the university.

To that end, I am asking you to please sign an open letter to Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway, written by a group of distinguished scholars from around the country. You can do so by clicking HERE. You can read the letter HERE. Though Holloway has indicated that he may not seek an injunction to stop the unions’ job actions, let’s make sure by our voices that he doesn’t change his mind! I’ve signed it and I encourage you to do so as well!

I’m also sharing a link to the Rutgers Strike & Solidarity Fund, which is HERE.

Please show your support for our Rutgers colleagues by signing the letter and sharing this email to your friends, family and coworkers.

In solidarity,

Fred

Frederick E. Kowal, Ph.D.

President

United University Professions