On December 6th, UUP Oneonta is proud to partner with Cooperstown-Oneonta Indivisible to support those who have served our country and others impacted by the federal government shutdown’s lingering impact on food insecurity programs.
We encourage all UUP members to join us for the Holiday Food Drive on Saturday, December 6, to benefit the Oneonta Veteran’s Outreach Center. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community, enjoy the spirit of the season, and give back to the neediest.
📅 When: Saturday, December 6 📍 Locations & Times: There are three ways you can participate and donate…
Cooperstown-Oneonta Indivisible will be marching in the Holiday Parade with shopping carts! Feel free to hand off individual non-perishable items as they pass by.
Make a day of It! Come out to Main Street for the Holiday Parade at 3:30 PM, stay for the Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony at 5:00 PM, and feel great about giving back at the same time.
Let’s show our veterans and neighbors the strength of our solidarity and community spirit. We hope to see you there!
This November, more than 3 million New Yorkers are facing a hunger crisis. Between the rising costs of groceries and the disruption of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, working families across New York are at risk. The union movement will not stand by while our neighbors go hungry.
That’s why unions across New York are joining together for a statewide Week of Action. Labor Feeds New York: November 15th-23rd, 2025.
During this week, local labor federations, central labor councils and union members are encouraged to:
Feed – Donate non-perishable food to local pantries and school-based food programs.
Give – Contribute funds to hunger relief organizations making a difference in your community.
Serve – Volunteer at soup kitchens, food banks, and community meal sites.
Every act of solidarity, large or small, can help make a difference for families in need this fall.
This holiday season, UUP Oneonta is proud to partner with Cooperstown-Oneonta Indivisible to support those who have served our country and others impacted by the federal government shutdown’s lingering impact on food insecurity programs.
We encourage all UUP members to join us for the Holiday Food Drive on Saturday, December 6, to benefit the Oneonta Veteran’s Outreach Center. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community, enjoy the spirit of the season, and give back to the neediest.
📅 When: Saturday, December 6 📍 Locations & Times: There are three ways you can participate and donate…
Cooperstown-Oneonta Indivisible will be marching in the Holiday Parade with shopping carts! Feel free to hand off individual non-perishable items as they pass by.
Make a Day of It! Come out to Main Street for the Holiday Parade at 3:30 PM, stay for the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:00 PM, and feel great about giving back at the same time.
Let’s show our veterans and neighbors the strength of our solidarity and community spirit. We hope to see you there!
What follows is a message from Upstate Medical University Chapter President Mindy Heath, who has been working with the family of Upstate Chapter member Alex Gonzalez since he and CSEA member Yan Vazquez were detained by ICE agents Oct. 29 and sent to federal detention facility in Batavia, Genesee County.
It is unclear why the men were detained; ICE agents grabbed the men before their scheduled immigration hearing in Syracuse. A hearing on their detention is scheduled for Nov. 17 in Batavia.
“Two of our union siblings, Alex Gonzalez and Yan Vazquez, were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Oct. 29 and were sent to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia.
“The pair, dedicated employees in the Environmental Services Department at Upstate Medical University and proud members of UUP and CSEA respectively, now face an uncertain future. They are Cuban refugees who came to America to seek asylum.
“Recently married, Alex and Yan are homeowners in North Syracuse and are building a life together. They are good neighbors and a part of the community, as they navigate the complex path to U.S. citizenship. They were detained unexpectedly when they showed up for a scheduled immigration hearing in Mattydale in Onondaga County. They were detained before their hearing.
“ICE has made a habit of abducting immigrants seeking legal pathways to citizenship at immigration hearings, which are held in federal buildings. The sudden apprehensions of Alex and Yan have left their families and supporters bewildered, as there appears to be no justification for taking them into custody.
“State and local elected officials and community leaders have rallied around Alex and Yan and their families, emphasizing the importance of due process and the need for answers and transparency.
“On Nov. 1, Gov. Kathy Hochul met with the families of the men. She condemned ICE’s actions, telling Syracuse.com “This is a very treacherous time in our society, when individuals who lived here for years and are high-functioning members of our community working at SUNY Upstate are the ones who are defined as the worst of the worst.”
“The families also met with state senators Chris Ryan and Rachel May, who offered words of kindness and support while condemning the unjust removal of honest, hard-working individuals pursuing a legal pathway to citizenship. This kind of engagement from our leaders is a testament to the collective commitment to justice and compassion within our community, and we offer our sincere thanks for their time and support!
“The strength of union solidarity is shining brightly during this challenging time. Colleagues from UUP and CSEA have come together, along with our local union brothers and sisters in the Greater Syracuse Labor Council and Area Labor Federation communities, demonstrating unwavering support for Alex and Yan.
“Union members understand that the fight for justice extends beyond the workplace; it encompasses the fundamental rights of all individuals, especially those who have risked everything for a better life. Our unions are built on a foundation of solidarity, and we stand with Alex and Yan and will not rest until they are reunited with their families and can return to their important work at Upstate Medical University.
“The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. Alex and Yan are not just employees; they are vital members of our community. Their contributions extend beyond their jobs; they are friends, neighbors, and family. The impact of their absence is palpable.
“Family members have been able to visit with both men in the Batavia detention center. They report that Alex and Yan are being treated well and conditions at the facility are clean. Still, the fear family members have for their safety—and their futures—is intense.
“A hearing for Yan is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 17; family members believe this will be a joint hearing for both men. The hearing will be held at 4250 Federal Drive, Room F108, in Batavia before Judge James McCarthy.
“As we stand with Alex and Yan, our goal remains clear: to secure their release, ensure they receive due process, and bring them back to their families and the community they love. Together, we will continue to advocate for their rights and the rights of all those who seek refuge and a better life in our great country.
“In these times of uncertainty, let us remember that our commitment to justice and humanity must prevail. Alex and Yan’s story is not just about their individual experiences; it reflects the broader struggle for dignity and respect for all immigrants. As a community, we must remain vigilant and united, ensuring that their journey toward citizenship continues without further obstacles.
“Stay tuned for ways to help show your support! Rallies are being planned to raise up our voices in solidarity with our union siblings, supporters throughout the community, and the families of Alex and Yan.”
You have likely heard about the Federal administration’s offer of a “compact” with nine Research universities that would, if agreed to, effectively abolish academic freedom and institutional autonomy at those campuses. It is critical that our union join the chorus of Higher Ed voices speaking out against this proposal. See a message below from our national affiliate, the AFT, and click to sign on to a letter calling upon university leaders to reject this compact.
In solidarity,
Frederick E. Kowal, Ph.D. President United University Professions
Under the Trump compact, a successful childhood cancer research project could be cut off because the university allows trans athletes to play on a team. A lab focused on ensuring a clean water supply could be shut down because the university’s mission includes promoting diversity in the student body. A nursing school could lose critical funding because professors are teaching about women’s history.
This policy is a clumsy attempt at thought-policing that will have repercussions for all of society. It risks America’s world leadership in science, technology, innovation and healthcare, creating opportunities for our competitors and our enemies to take the lead. It sets us backward toward an era of less innovation, fewer cures for diseases and a shrinking economy.
