Contractually guaranteed raises to UUP members that would have started this month will instead be delayed to Sept. 30, a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But a delay is unacceptable to UUP, so the union is taking a two-pronged approach to make sure that the raises come through as quickly as possible\u2014especially as the state has also said the Sept. 30 date is subject to review, said UUP President Fred Kowal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On July 1, the union filed a class-action grievance over the delay of the raises. Also, it is pressing federal and state lawmakers for emergency funding to SUNY to deliver the raises to UUP\u2019s hard-working members, who have sacrificed so much during the pandemic\u2014and in some cases have risked their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile we did not agree with or accept the state\u2019s decision, we understand that it is driven by the state budget crisis that has developed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d Kowal said. \u201cStill, we need answers and we need a partnership with SUNY to ensure our members\u2019 concerns are addressed before reopening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nearly 2,000 UUP members and SUNY employees have signed a UUP petition calling on SUNY to hold a virtual public hearing this month to discuss their financial and health concerns prior to returning to campus. CLICK HERE <\/a>to sign the petition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is about our students, our patients, our communities and our SUNY,\u201d Kowal said. \u201cWe must invest in our public higher education institutions and public hospitals to combat the overwhelming health, economic, and social justice crises that face us in New York and across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The news followed announcements in April that raises due to members of other state employee bargaining units had also been delayed, because of a state budget hole of at least $13 billion that was triggered by the economic crash of the coronavirus, and which has no clear solution. UUP raises would have started either July 1 or Sept. 1, depending on obligation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n UUP was the first New York state union to launch a campaign for passage of the HEROES Act, the latest package of federal coronavirus relief for states. The act passed the House, but it has stalled in the Senate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On June 30, Senate Democrats proposed the Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act, a bill that includes $345 billion for K-12 schools and higher education. Under the bill, sponsored by Sens. Chuck Schumer and Patty Murray (D-WA), the bill would provide $132 billion for higher education; an additional $33 billion in education aid would be left to governors to distribute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The CCCERA has little support from the Senate\u2019s Republican majority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n UUP members have sent thousands of letters to members of Congress, urging Senate action on the HEROES Act or a Senate equivalent. Members can still take action on this effort, and should do so, through the AFT, NYSUT or UUP\u2019s own campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOTHERS DELAYED<\/h3>\n\n\n\n