January 2026

Ready to Bargain

UUP SET TO OPEN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE STATE

After months of intensive preparation, UUP is officially ready to begin negotiations with New York State. Our Negotiations Team and Committee have worked tirelessly to craft a bold, thoughtful package of proposals that reflects the needs and priorities of our diverse membership.

On February 4, UUP’s negotiators will meet with the Governor’s team to exchange proposals and launch what will become a series of regular bargaining sessions. From that point forward, we will be fully engaged at the table—focused, unified, and determined to secure the strongest possible contract for every member.

UUP represents a wide range of titles, workplaces, and needs. Our bargaining package includes items that reflect that breadth. Reaching agreement on all of our priorities will be challenging, but your Negotiations Team is fully committed to delivering meaningful, equitable improvements. We intend to build on the progress of the last contract and push even further.

Our current Agreement expires July 1, 2026. This time, we want something we haven’t had in recent memory:

An on‑time contract.
No delayed raises.
No stalled programs.
No uncertainty.

A timely, member‑focused agreement is our goal-and we are fighting for it.

In the past, the State has delayed coming to the bargaining table until a contract was at or near expiration. Securing an early start this round is a major achievement, made possible by the energy and involvement of UUP members across the state. Together, we’ve built momentum through negotiations, town halls, a comprehensive bargaining survey completed by more than 13,000 members, weekly “Know Your Contract” workshops, and numerous campus engagement events.

Since April, our Negotiations Team has met regularly to develop an ambitious and transformative proposal package grounded in extensive member feedback. Now, we are ready!

But to win the contract we deserve, we need you with us—every step of the way.


Here’s what you can do right now!

✔ Register for the Virtual Town Hall

Join us on February 3 at noon to kick off negotiations and demonstrate your support for our bargaining team.

✔ Log in to the UUP Members’ Only Page

Read our first Negotiations Bulletin, where you’ll find updates, details from the table, and opportunities to take action. And don’t keep it to yourself—encourage colleagues to log in too. Need sign‑in help? Call 518‑640‑6624.

✔ Request a “Ready to Bargain” Poster

Display it proudly on your door or window to show solidarity.

✔ Wear UUP or Red on February 4

Snap a photo, post it with #UUPContract, and tag @uupinfo to amplify our collective presence. If you don’t already have a T-shirt, contact the UUP office

✔ Become a Rapid Responder

Make sure you’re the first to receive critical updates, announcements, and action alerts.

We are prepared. We are united. And with your continued involvement, we will secure the strong, timely contract our members deserve.

ARE YOU A MEMBER?

Now more than ever, it is important to ensure you are a member of UUP! We are on the threshold of negotiations, and our success is dependent on the strength of our membership. When the matters we bring to the state directly affect our members, our bargaining power in negotiations becomes considerably stronger.

The state closely tracks our membership numbers as a measure of how engaged and unified we are. UUP is committed to securing the strongest contract possible, and achieving that requires full participation from everyone in the bargaining unit. When all eligible employees stand together as members, we demonstrate our collective strength and amplify our voice at the bargaining table. We need every physician, resident, adjunct, per diem, academic, and professional to be part of this effort. Join now and help us deliver a strong, meaningful contract.

In addition, only UUP members can participate in the process by providing input and ultimately voting on the final agreement. We all should exercise our right to vote when it is afforded to us. If you are not a member, please consider joining us to make sure OUR contract is the best possible and everyone is represented! Use the link below to join!

Join us in UUP

PROFESSIONAL SURVEY RESULTS TO BE PRESENTED

The comprehensive analysis of the recent professional survey is now complete and the results are ready to be shared with our professional membership. Conducted throughout the fall, this survey garnered responses from approximately 30% of our professional staff, offering crucial insights into key areas such as workload, compensation, and promotion opportunities. These findings, carefully examined by the UUP Research Department, provide a valuable foundation for advancing our collective goals.

We invite all professional members to attend a detailed presentation of these results on February 12th. The meeting will be held onsite at the Health Sciences Center (HSC) and also accessible virtually for your convenience. Carolyn Kube, our Statewide Vice President for Professionals, will lead the presentation and discussion.

This exclusive member-only event offers a pivotal opportunity to engage directly with the data that impacts our work conditions and professional growth. Your participation is essential to shaping our future direction. Please confirm your attendance by RSVPing through the link below.

Survey meeting RSVP

CONSIDER HELPING A MEMBER IN NEED.

Please consider donating some of your accrued vacation days to colleagues in need who are facing long-term illnesses.

Your generous donation can make a meaningful difference, providing vital time and support to fellow employees during difficult times. Together, we can help each other thrive.

Thank you for your kindness and solidarity.