UUP’s contract doesn’t expire for another 11 months, but the union’s Negotiations Team has already been hard at work, preparing for possibility opening talks on a new agreement with the state in the next few months.
Usually, negotiations for a new contract begin closer to the end of the current pact, but things could move swiftly this year. With a gubernatorial election in November 2026, there’s every possibility that UUP could be at the table well in advance of its negotiations timetable for the last several contracts, including the 2022-2026 agreement—ratified by members some 13 months after the previous contract (2018-2022) ran out.
“We think we have a chance to get to the table in the fall, which would be notably in advance of what we’ve done in the past,” said UUP Chief Negotiator Bret Benjamin. “If that opportunity turns out to be available, we want to be ready to walk through that door.”
To facilitate that, the Team has already scheduled its “Virtual Listening Tour,” a series of listening sessions to give members an opportunity to share what they’d like to see in a new UUP contract.
And here’s a change: Instead of holding forums for each chapter individually, the Team will hold some sessions with chapters grouped together geographically. For example, Canton, Plattsburgh and Potsdam chapter members will attend the same forum Aug. 28. A session for members at Farmingdale, Maritime and Old Westbury is set for Sept. 15.
“We’ve combined some campuses because we’re trying to expedite our preparations to get to the table early,” Benjamin said. “With our listening sessions, we want to hear whatever people see as pressing concerns in their work lives. We’re eager to hear what people are saying and we will do our best to address their concerns as a union.”
The Team has also scheduled three statewide virtual listening sessions for members who missed their chapter forum or just want to attend to find out more about the negotiations process. Those meetings are scheduled at noon on Sept. 16 and Sept. 22; and at 4 p.m. on Sept. 19.
Please note:
- You have to be a member to attend. (Not a member? Join here: https://uupinfo.org/join)
- The sessions will not be recorded.
- Registration will close 24 hours before the sessions are held. This will allow us to verify membership before sending the links to the participants.
- Members will receive the Zoom information 1-2 days prior to the meeting.
To RSVP for the virtual Oneonta chapter listening session on August 27th at 4:00 PM, or one of the virtual statewide makeup sessions, visit this link or click the button below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSean3NoJJTmUywsFjh4oe4znkhqpvDcBbbxQF6eooer770gfA/viewform
You can also share your concerns with the Negotiations team on the following SurveyMonkey form: http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OneontaUUPCONTRACT