Chief Negotiator and VP for Academics Fred Floss updates delegates to the union’s 2008 Winter Delegate Assembly on the highlights of the tentative deal between UUP and New York State.

Members of the Negotiations Team were still traversing the state early this month to answer members’ questions about the 2007-2011 tentative contract agreement between the union and New York state. The chapter visits are designed to educate members about what’s included in the tentative deal.

And if the feedback UUP has received from members during earlier chapter visits is indicative of how they will vote, then the four-year tentative agreement will be overwhelmingly approved when ballots are counted March 13. The American Arbitration Association (AAA) — an independent and neutral organization — is conducting the election and guarantees the security of the ballots at all times.

“The members we have spoken with so far are pleased with the overall package,” said Chief Negotiator and Vice President for Academics Frederick Floss. “They understand the difficult circumstances under which their colleagues had to negotiate and recognize that we reached the best deal possible.”

All bargaining unit members received a first-class mailing of the tentative agreement with an explanation of the changes, and each delegate to the 2008 Winter Delegate Assembly in Albany was given an advance copy.

Floss shared with delegates the highlights of the negotiated agreement, which includes across-the-board salary increases that, when compounded, total approximately 13.6 percent. He noted the first-year salary increases are retroactive to July 2 or Sept. 1, 2007, and that 1 percent of the total salary pool will be available for discretionary salary increases in each year of the agreement.

Other highlights: Health insurance benefits remain mostly unchanged, with only modest increases in copayments; a one-time $500 increase in basic annual salary at the time of permanent or continuing appointment, or a second five-year term appointment; and a one-time $500 service award lump-sum payment to part-time employees who have completed at least eight consecutive years at their current campus.

In addition, this contract: increases location stipends to $3,026 for employees in the downstate area and to $1,513 for employees in the Mid-Hudson region; includes a new joint labor/management committee program provides tuition assistance to eligible dependent children of bargaining unit members; includes a Pre-Tax Transportation Program that will reduce employee mass transit costs; and continues support for the UUP/NYS Joint Labor/Management Committees.

The Governor’s Office of Employee Relations, SUNY and UUP have agreed to discuss issues of mutual concern regarding librarians and part-time employees.

“We’re going to find a strategy that’s going to work and we’re not going to give up until our people have better working conditions,” Floss told the delegates.

“Of course, there are many more provisions in the agreement that will enhance the working lives of you and your colleagues,” Floss said. “I urge you to read the contract language — as well as the commentary explaining the proposed changes — closely.”

Following Floss’s presentation, delegate and Plattsburgh Chapter President David Curry said, “This is an excellent presentation of an excellent contract.”

Delegate José Feliciano of SUNY Stony Brook agreed, adding, “It’s bizarre to me that anyone would say anything bad about this contract. The Negotiations Team did a fantastic job.”

On Feb. 13, the AAA mailed ballots for the ratification vote on the tentative 2007-2011 agreement to UUP members at their addresses of record. Members who have not received a ballot should call the AAA at (800) 529-5218 to request a duplicate.

Ballots must be received by AAA by 5 p.m. March 12. The AAA will count the ballots March 13 at their offices.

— Karen L. Mattison