Smith said there’s a good possibility the state will levy mid-year budget cuts on SUNY, given the state’s dire financial situation and Gov. David Paterson’s recent attempts to reduce the deficit. 

Taking the union’s message—that SUNY budget cuts unfairly harm students and faculty, and will further erode the state’s economy—to local legislators in their home districts is an effective way to stop potential SUNY budget cuts. Meeting lawmakers face-to-face is a powerful method to deliver that message.

“We all have to work harder to do more local advocacy,” said Smith during the two-day meeting in Saratoga Springs. “It’s the only way we can really deliver our message and carry it out. We’re going to need everyone’s help. It’s going to be a Herculean effort to fight the budget battle, but we’re going to have to fight.”

Smith said he plans to bring UUP’s message to new SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher when he sits down with her to discuss issues important to UUP; he is scheduled to meet with her Sept. 24.

Chapter presidents supported UUP’s stand against Gov. Paterson’s proposed Tier V pension reclassification for new employees—which moves the minimum retirement age from 55 to 62 and requires employee retirement contributions after 10 years of service.

 “We adamantly oppose Tier V,” Smith said. “The union remains opposed to any inequality in the pension system.”

UUP, along with NYSUT, are two of the few remaining unions standing firm against Tier V. In July, CSEA and PEF agreed to stop opposition to Tier V in exchange for assurances of no layoffs for two years and a $20,000 severance offer to employees whose jobs were targeted in mass layoffs Paterson announced  in March. UFT also has a Tier V agreement, said Smith.

Smith said UUP is working with DOB and the governor’s office regarding A./S. 2020 and other so-called “flex bills,” which would give the University of Buffalo and other SUNY university centers the power to set tuition rates and buy, sell or lease property without legislative approval. UUP opposes A./S.2020 and other similar bills.

He said the state Assembly has not passed the bill—which has been approved by the state Senate—because of concerns that the proposed legislation treats campuses unfairly and is contrary to SUNY’s mission of providing an accessible, affordable education to qualified students.

Chapter presidents also met in a joint session with UUP’s Outreach Committee to discuss issues important to both groups.

During the session, Cortland chapter president Jamie Dangler gave a detailed presentation on her chapter’s outreach strategy, which included tips for other chapters on effectively meeting with legislators in home districts and mobilizing members.

Dangler said chapter leaders changed the name of the chapter’s monthly meetings to “SUNY Cortland Matter$” in an effort to attract members to become involved. The chapter has also formulated a coordinated communications strategy to keep its members up-to-date on UUP issues, she said.

— Michael Lisi