{"id":1300,"date":"2025-07-24T17:51:39","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T22:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uuphost.org\/oneonta\/?p=1300"},"modified":"2025-07-31T16:24:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T21:24:09","slug":"rsvp-for-the-uup-negotiations-team-listening-session-on-august-27th","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uuphost.org\/oneonta\/rsvp-for-the-uup-negotiations-team-listening-session-on-august-27th\/","title":{"rendered":"RSVP for the August 27th UUP Negotiations Team Listening Session!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

UUP\u2019s contract doesn\u2019t expire for another 11 months, but the union\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s 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\u2014ratified by members some 13 months after the previous contract (2018-2022) ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe think we have a chance to get to the table in the fall, which would be notably in advance of what we\u2019ve done in the past,\u201d said UUP Chief Negotiator Bret Benjamin. \u201cIf that opportunity turns out to be available, we want to be ready to walk through that door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To facilitate that, the Team has already scheduled its \u201cVirtual Listening Tour,\u201d a series of listening sessions to give members an opportunity to share what they\u2019d like to see in a new UUP contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And here\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve combined some campuses because we\u2019re trying to expedite our preparations to get to the table early,\u201d Benjamin said. \u201cWith our listening sessions, we want to hear whatever people see as pressing concerns in their work lives. We\u2019re eager to hear what people are saying and we will do our best to address their concerns as a union.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note:<\/p>\n\n\n\n