One of the most frequent questions members ask is: “How do I get a promotion and salary increase?” One of the benefits of being in the UUP bargaining unit is that you can ask for a promotion and salary increase at any time. There are no structural impediments in the contract or other documents that prevent you from asking.

But I’ve also learned over the years that most questions are like onions—they have multiple layers, each answer giving rise to another question.

I suggest you start out trying to figure out where you want to be in five, 10 or 20 years. Do you aspire to be a supervisor or an administrator? Are you content with what you are doing, but want to grow and gain expertise in your professional field? You should also realize that some of your dreams and aspirations might not go as planned. So you should develop a Plan B.

Obviously, your performance program is a crucial document and all professionals should have one. The best time to ask for a promotion or salary increase is right after you are evaluated on the duties and responsibilities you agreed to perform over the course of the year as part of your performance program. Don’t expect to hear your supervisor say, “You’re SUNY’s best employee! We’re going to give you a big promotion and lots of money to go with it.” The reality is that you have to ask for a promotion or salary increase—and you have to be prepared to present your case.

Once you’ve asked for a promotion or salary increase, your supervisor has 45 days to respond. If the 45 days pass without any word from your supervisor, then according to our contract, your request has been denied.

If you were “on the fence” about your request in the first place and don’t wish to pursue further action, then I would suggest you take this opportunity to ask your supervisor, colleagues and chapter vice president for professionals what you might need to do to get promoted down the road.

If you want to challenge the denial, you can appeal the decision to the College Review Panel. The College Review Panel consists of between five and seven members elected by professional employees in the bargaining unit at each chapter. The panel reviews applications for promotion that were denied anywhere below the level of the campus president.

Employees who appeal to the panel will be informed, in writing, if it is determined that a promotion is unwarranted. Should the panel determine that a promotion is warranted, it will forward its recommendation to the college president. The employee will receive a copy of the recommendation.

The campus president has 90 calendar days to render a decision. If the president denies the promotion, the employee can appeal to the University Review Board.

The complete description of the process can be found on pages 105-108 in the 2007-2011 Agreement between New York State and United University Professions.

The most important things to keep in mind are: Don’t give up, don’t get discouraged, and seek the help of your UUP chapter leaders.