Category: General

The Steve Street Award is a one-time $500 scholarship given to an undergraduate student or group of undergraduate students enrolled at a SUNY campus who have created any paper or documented any project related to social justice issues or topics. This scholarship is available
to full-time and part-time students.

The application deadline is May 1, 2024.

The award is named for Street, a UUP contingent faculty member who taught at SUNY Brockport and SUNY Buffalo State College; he died of cancer in 2012.

See the Guidelines and Application for more details.

Benefits General

PEP Payroll Processing Error

Post author By Kathy Farrell
Post date January 5, 2024

The NYS Office of Employee Relations has notified all the State unions, including UUP, about a payroll processing error related to the 2023 Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) credit. As a result of this error, employees who had a PEP credit for 2023 did not have a deduction for their health coverage taken from their December 20, 2023 paycheck. We understand this was an error that impacted only one check and there will be no interruption in health coverage as a result.

The State has informed us that normal health insurance deductions will resume with the January 3, 2024 paycheck. In addition, a special deduction of up to $100 per paycheck will be taken to recover the amount of the missed Dec. 20, 2023 deduction. This special deduction will continue until the total amount of the missed deduction has been recovered. Please remember that what the amount of the recovery is and how many pay checks it will take to recover it will vary from employee to employee and depend on whether the employee is enrolled in individual or family coverage, which plan the employee is enrolled in, and what the employee’s (income sensitive) premium share is.

We understand that the Department of Civil Service is sending out letters to all impacted employees with details regarding the recovery process. Please work with your LRS to address any questions/concerns your impacted members may have that are not answered by the DCS letter.

General Professional Development

UUP/IDA Awards 2023-2024

Post author By Kathy Farrell
Post date November 27, 2023

New York State/United University Professions Joint Labor-Management Committee Individual Development Awards (IDA)

IDA awards are one way in which full or part-time employees can support their professional development/activities. Any member of the bargaining unit (faculty and professional employees) can apply.

As per the guidelines provided by the UUP IDA Joint Labor-Management Committee website, proposed projects/activities, which support professional development, can include:

Basic, applied, or historical research
Curriculum or instructional material development
Workshop, seminar internship or course work not covered by the Tuition Assistance program or SUNY tuition waiver
Conference participation or attendance
Preparation of material for publication
Grant Proposal development
Artistic or creative endeavors
Other work-related professional/scholarly development projects or activities

Members of the chapter can apply for up to $2000/academic year for up to two projects.

The exact dollar amount awarded will be determined based on the number of applications received. Please make sure that your application includes a detailed budget to be considered.

IDA Program Guidelines for 2023-2024

IDA Program Application for 2023-2024

Submit your application to IDA@sunyempire.edu.

Activities will be reviewed in two cycles:

Cycle #1: Activities between July 2, 2023 and December 31 2023. Applications due on January 31, 2024
Cycle #2: Activities between January 1, 2024 and July 1, 2024. Applications due on April 30, 2024

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion General

Race and the Economy Training

Post author By Kathy Farrell
Post date October 20, 2023

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

Contract Negotiations General

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

Post author By Kathy Farrell
Post date September 27, 2023

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 Dates Download

General

Join UUP for Labor Day Events

Post author By Kathy Farrell
Post date August 23, 2023

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

General

Labor Picnics in the Capital District

Post author By Kathy Farrell
Post date August 23, 2023

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.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion General Professional Development

FREE Professional Development Opportunities

Post author By Kathy Farrell
Post date August 2, 2023

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.

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