State Lawmakers Fail Hospitals, Heroic Workers

n Official Publication of United University Professions The Nation’s Largest Higher Education Union Working For You THET

Spring 2021

State lawmakers fail hospitals, heroic workers — Page 4 THE Voice HATthisS issue INSIDE Volume 48, Number 2 W ’ The Voice is the official publication of United University Professions (UUP), bargaining agent for the more than 37,000 academic and professional ALSO: employees of the State University of New York. Cover photo by to the point Contact UUP at PO Box 15143, Albany, NY Juanmonino/Getty imaGes 3 12212-9954. Telephone (518) 640-6600 or 10 uup mobilization and outreach defined toll-free at (800) 342-4206. UUP’s Internet site is www.uupinfo.org. UUP is Local 2190 of 12 the union continues to offer student debt clinics the American Federation of Teachers (AFL-CIO) 13 uup holds panel to discuss climate change and is affiliated with NYSUT and the National State budget fails SUNY hospitals Education Association. 14 members address black maternal, infant mortality 4—Despite the heroic efforts of suny’s front line workers, the state 16 and the Grammy goes to ... UUP STATEWIDE OFFICERS budget fails to include hazard pay or 17 spotlight shines on uupers money to cover operating expenses. FREDERICK E. KOWAL 18 outgoing vpa named a nysut member of the year President aLso: 19 Front line hospital workers feted • how suny campuses fared—7 20 Labor notes • sen. schumer promises aid—8 22 uup benefit: pet insurance THOMAS J. TUCKER Vice President for Professionals

FOLLOW UUP JAMIE F. DANGLER Vice President ON FACEBOOK, for Academics TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM! JERI O’BRYAN-LOSEE Secretary/Treasurer Go to www.UUPinfo.org to sign up today.

THOMAS C. HOEY Membership Development Officer

UUP MEDIA AND PUBLICATIONS MICHAEL LISI Director of Media and Publications

KAREN L. MATTISON Associate Director of Media and Publications Check out the latest at www.uupinfo.org: DARRYL MCGRATH — UUP’s state legislative agenda addresses health care, education, access, Communications Specialist leadership and sustainability: ANGELL M. VILLAFAÑE https://uupinfo.org/legislation/pdf/UUP21StateLegAgenda.pdf Communications/Research Assistant — Miss a video by UUP President Fred Kowal? You can ﬁnd them here: The Voice is a member of the American Federation https://www.youtube.com/user/uupcomm of Teachers Communicators Network and the International Labor Communications Association. — Check out negotiated labor/management professional development programs: https://uupinfo.org/opps/jlmc.php

THE VOICE SPRING 2021 2 To the point: A Message from UUP President Fred Kowal

Why take a stand? Because we must s UUP president, it’s not 40 percent of the benefits from the unusual for people to ask me CLCPA go to historically disadvantaged why our union is involved communities. with matters outside of As this issue of The Voice went to press, salary, benefits and work conditions—the UUP continues to advocate for the state’s bread-and-butter issues that most people Climate and Community Investment Aassociate with unions. Act—a bill that, if approved, would The answer is an easy one. Our union, penalize corporate polluters and use the America’s largest higher education union, fees to aid communities disproportionally represents members in a vast array of affected by the climate crisis, and which jobs with a vast array of interests. More would create as many as 150,000 good- often than not, our members demand that paying green jobs. can be used to make an impact. we take a stand on social issues important That was the case at our April 22 round- to them, such as social and economic jus- Working tog ether table on sustainability. I led the forum, tice, and the climate crisis. Our work as unionists cannot be accom- which included state Assemblymember That’s why UUP has issued strong state- plished in a vacuum. To be successful, we Steve Englebright, chair of the Assembly ments in support of the Black Lives Matter must find others who share our causes Committee on Environmental Conserva- movement and its goals to end racism and believe that the only way to succeed tion; and experts from The Nature Con- in America. We took part in the 2017 is by working together. servancy, the New York State Climate Women’s March on Washington, D.C., I have made it a priority to cement rela- Action Council; New York Renews, and the March for Science and the People’s tionships with state and federal lawmak- Environmental Advocates of New York. Climate Movement—and we will be back ers, and we have made great strides. A UUP member, Susan Fassler, sustain- marching in the streets once the coronavirus Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer able facilities manager at SUNY Environ- is under control and it’s safe to do so. spent an hour talking with UUP statewide mental Science and Forestry, was also a Executive Board members in an exclu- panelist. Focused on the environment sive virtual meeting March 29. The hour-long discussion was interest- And we’ve been outspoken in the fight Our union has also reached out to coming and informative. You can read more against climate change and the need to munity groups and organizations to join about it on page 13 of this issue. achieve climate justice for so many us to further the proposals in our New Americans affected by corporate greed York HEALS (Healthcare, Education, mA king it personAl and utter disregard for our environment. Accessibility, Leadership, Sustainability) In January, more than 300 delegates to I believe that as educators and as union- agenda. NY HEALS is a dynamic plan UUP’s 2021 Winter Delegate Assembly ists, we are called—no, compelled—to that would make SUNY a leader for eco- made the climate catastrophe personal protect our environment and help heal the nomic, social, and environmental change. by passing a resolution to demand that Earth. As the old Native American proverb SUNY pressure the Teachers Insurance goes, We don’t inherit the Earth from our A neW WAy and Annuity Association of America— ancestors, we borrow it from our children. To strengthen that effort, I, along with the company that manages retirement It is our sacred duty to protect this planet. your statewide officers, recently created accounts for SUNY faculty and staff—to We must never forget this. the new UUP Mobilization and Outreach divest from fossil fuels and agribusiness As a founding member of New York Department to help forge those relation- land grabs. Renews, a statewide coalition of more ships with statewide organizations and Most of UUP’s 37,000 members have than 300 environmental, justice, faith, local community groups. You can read money invested with TIAA, which has labor, and community groups, UUP was more about those efforts in this issue of invested $8 billion of our retirement outspoken in its support for the state’s The Voice. funds in fossil fuels and agribusiness, Climate Leadership and Community The new department, working with including ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Protection Act—one of the world’s most UUP’s Executive Director Kristie Sam- and Halliburton. It has also directly progressive climate change laws when it mons and Political Director Dan Brown, financed two fracked gas power plants, was approved in 2019. set up a successful series of virtual round- including one in New York. The CLCPA mandates that greenhouse table discussions in April and May on Why would we work our whole lives gas emissions in New York be reduced by sustainability, health care and higher edu- nurturing and developing young people 85 percent by 2050. The law accelerates cation. At each forum, experts discussed only to leave them a dying planet? the use of solar, wind and other renew- what SUNY’s role should be in address- see KOWAL, page 7 able energy sources, and orders that up to ing those issues and how the University

SPRING 2021 THE VOICE 3 Cover story leftSUNY hospitals behind hailed as heroic; forgotten by state lawmakers BY DARRYL MCGRATH

n the last 15 months, UUP members at SUNY’s four academic medical centers have lived through a real-life horror show as the coronavirus pandemic wreaked devastation at hospitals in Brooklyn, Ion Long Island, and in central upstate and Western New York. Hospitals jettisoned normal work schedules and pulled in every staffer who could still stand during the exhausting weeks of the pandemic’s worst surges, last spring and again in the fall. Those who were not qualified to provide direct patient care either assisted those who could, or they filled in for the staff who were redeployed to hospital COVID FILE PHOTOS units. Days off became a thing of the UUP MEMBERS FROM THE UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY CHAPTER DIDN’T HESITATE TO TRAVEL TO past; staff barely got respite breaks as STONY BROOK HSC TO LEND THEIR EXPERTISE DURING THE EARLY WEEKS OF THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK. they worked double shifts for days and THEY WERE WELCOMED WITH A ROUSING OVATION FROM DOZENS OF GRATEFUL HOSPITAL STAFFERS. even weeks at a stretch. The coronavirus briefly abated in the summer, and then returned with a vengeance in the fall, bers got sick, some died, and some car- during the country’s worst public health continued into the winter and quickly ried the virus home to their families and crisis of the last century? overwhelmed central and western parts then watched as family members sick- Not much, is the simplest way to put it. of the state which thought they had ened and even died. All three SUNY hos- Not much at all. averted disaster in the spring. pitals set up crisis care services for their UUP members recounted heartbreaking emotionally drained staff, but even so, mind-Bog gling disregArd situations as they watched frightened supervisors talked about staff being For hospitAls patients die without loved ones at their pushed beyond their limit, beyond even The hospitals once again got no money side. Members worked without regard for the ability to describe how they felt. to cover debt service, making the hospi- their safety, and often without adequate And what did New York lawmakers do tals the only part of SUNY expected to protective gear in units overflowing with to recognize and thank the SUNY med- cover that expense on their own. They got highly contagious patients. Some mem- ical staff members for all that they did no hazard pay for staff, even though

RIGHT, MARIA THERESA ESTRELLA CONTINUED TO WORK AT STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DESPITE LOSING A FORMER COLLEAGUE AND CLOSE FRIEND TO THE CORONAVIRUS.

FAR RIGHT, SUNY DOWNSTATE BEGAN ADMINISTERING COVID-19 VACCINES IN DECEMBER 2020. AMONG THE FIRST STAFFERS TO RECEIVE A SHOT WAS RADIOLOGIST AND UUP MEMBER ADRIAN MOORE.

THE VOICE SPRING 2021 4 FAR LEFT, BUFFALO HSC CHAPTER MEMBERS BOUGHT FOOD FOR AND DELIVERED IT TO HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES WORKING OVERTIME TO CARE FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS.

LEFT, UPSTATE CHAPTER MEMBER AND ER DOCTOR CHRIS TANSKI SPENT MONTHS IN NEW YORK CITY SERVING AS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AT THE JAVITS CONVENTION CENTER, A 1,000-BED MAKESHIFT HOSPITAL CARING FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS.

many other major hospitals provided as heroes and pledged to do everything many hospitals in the region, as Buffalo hazard pay during the pandemic. possible to remember them in the budget. HSC is the only one of the four SUNY “The failure to authorize hazard pay for Some backed those public pledges up in academic medical centers that does not these front line workers is a particularly private conversations with chapter lead- have its own state teaching hospital. And bitter pill to swallow,” UUP President ers at the hospitals, offering reassurances those members more than rose to the chal- Fred Kowal wrote in a message to mem- that never came to fruition. Members had lenge, Buffalo HSC Chapter President bers about the final enacted New York already heard Gov. Andrew Cuomo also Phil Glick recalled, in response to an state budget. He has told members that praise the hospitals and their staff for inquiry from The Voice. He called the lack the union will try a different tact, by their hard work during the pandemic; of hazard pay for UUP medical staff mem- seeking federal money for the hospitals. unlike the lawmakers, however, he never bers “unconscionable,” and he predicted a The fact that “there was nothing done for pledged to remember them in the budget. major exodus of highly trained staff over SUNY hospitals ... just boggles the In the end, nothing made much differ- their frustration with the underfunding and mind,” he said in one virtual meeting ence. lack of hazard pay. with members as he briefed them on the “I could not believe that the state did “Amazing, innovative and life-saving final enacted budget. not consider the hospitals in the formula- therapies were developed at our academic The budget did include $230 million for tion of its 2021-2022 budget,” Carolyn medical centers, which saved thousands of Disproportionate Share Hospital ex- Kube, UUP chapter president at Stony lives,” Glick wrote. “And simultaneously, penses, which will supplement federal Brook HSC, wrote in response to an in- the academic medical centers’ faculty and monies used to cover extraordinary costs quiry from The Voice. “In the middle of a staff, the so called ‘front liners,’ were risk- that hospitals incur when they routinely pandemic, I found it to be reprehensible. ing their own lives and the lives of their provide care to large numbers of low- The reason supplied to me was inade- families to protect the people of New York income patients. That’s the situation at quate and factually wrong, which was the state that they served. Leaving hazard pay all three SUNY hospitals, which legally hospitals got a substantial amount of fed- out of the 2021-2022 New York state cannot turn away any patient. But that eral funding. The hospitals received budget was unconscionable and will have money cannot be used for operating ex- money in the first CARES stimulus act both short-term and long-term negative penses or debt service. The lack of fund- and nothing in the following CARES II institutional consequences for our four ing to cover debt service, when the state and the American Rescue Plan. The SUNY academic medical centers.” used to provide $157 million a year to the money in the CARES Act I was in the three hospitals for that purpose within form of a loan that has to be paid back to neW A pproAch For Funding recent memory, and the lack of hazard pay the federal government starting as soon So, what now? The union must look left UUP chapter leaders at the academic as this month. forward and change tactics, as pleading medical centers frustrated but hardly at a “The UUP front line workers at Stony with New York state lawmakers for help loss for words to express that frustration. Brook are demoralized by the lack of to the hospitals, only to be disappointed recognition of the myriad sacrifices they time and again, is doing no good. empty promises made,” Kube added. “All we asked for “On the federal side, we’re going to be That frustration spewed out with good was a one-time $2,500 bonus for the working aggressively with our supporters reason. Hundreds of members who at- recognition of our members’ putting Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gilli- tended at least a dozen virtual town halls their lives, and their families’ lives, brand, and the New York delegation, to get last year with lawmakers listened as those on the line.” critical funding that would come through lawmakers, many of them longtime At Buffalo HSC, UUP members working the SUNY hospitals,” Kowal said. friends to UUP, praised the hospital staff as medical staff provide clinical care at see LEFT BEHIND, page 6

SPRING 2021 THE VOICE 5 Cover story

EFT BEHIND continuedL from page 5 ... It helps, he noted, that the SUNY hospitals are known for fulfilling some very specific needs that also match some of the health care interests of the new Biden administration, including maternal and infant care, and rural medicine—needs that might generate federal dollars for the funding of new programs, or the enhancement of existing services. For example: Downstate is one of only 17 hospitals in the state designated as a regional perinatal center that delivers the highest level of care to women in their last weeks of pregnancy and to infants in the first weeks of life. Upstate Medical University Hos- pital is the only Level 1 trauma center in its region, and it serves a growing number of rural patients FILE PHOTOS in an area where some community hospitals have struggled to stay STONY BROOK HSC CHAPTER MEMBER NICHOLAS RICO, LEFT, WAS ONE OF MANY UUPERS ON THE JOB AS FRONT LINE WORKERS DURING THE PANDEMIC. open in recent years. Stony Brook, as a major teaching hospital that is also required to treat all pa- hospitals, the union is coming up with a viding care for those of us who had tients, has an invaluable role in a region plan to seek help elsewhere, Kowal said. COVID and those of us who survived it,” packed with private hospitals that have “I’m particularly optimistic because Kowal said. “With the Biden administra- expanded from their Manhattan base. I think there’s an awareness that these tion, especially, there’s a commitment to So while UUP will continue to demand institutions have proven themselves public health that we’ve not seen in a that the state adequately fund its own through the pandemic as critical to pro- very long time.”

RIGHT, DOWNSTATE CHAPTER UUPER DERICK AGBONTAEN WAS ONE OF MANY MEMBERS TO UNLOAD AND DISTRIBUTE ISOLATION GOWNS AND SURGICAL GLOVES PURCHASED BY THE UNION. IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC, HOSPITAL STAFF WERE FORCED TO REUSE GLOVES, GOWNS AND MASKS.

BELOW, DOWNSTATE CHAPTER MEMBER DR. LORENZO PALADINO, RIGHT, WAS AMONG MANY UUPERS FEATURED ON A CNN SPECIAL, “INSIDE THE ER: THE INCREDIBLE FIGHT AGAINST CORONAVIRUS.”

THE VOICE SPRING 2021 6 suny getsBY DARRYL MCGRATH some breathing room in stateTAP gap over budget the next three years is implemented. This is a critical round the inexplicable achievement and one which we absence of state have been advocating about for support for the SUNY years.” hospitals and the lack • A $9.9 million increase in of hazard pay for front line mem- University-wide program funding bers, the final enacted state budget includes an additional $6.8 mil- Adid help the four-year campuses, lion for the Educational Opportu- even if it did not correct the long nity Program and $3 million for history of underfunding the state Educational Opportunity Centers. university. • $100 million in new capital “It will come as no surprise, support for projects related to pro- given the impact of COVID-19 on gram expansion or enhancement, the state’s fiscal condition, and the • A four-year plan to close the TAP Gap, which will help fund sustainability efforts lack of clarity about additional federal which occurs when tuition exceeds the at SUNY. aid coming to New York until late in the maximum award allowed under the state • The budget rejected a proposed tuition budget cycle, that this was an unprece- tuition grant program. Campuses must increase, and in effect supports a three- dented and complex budget season at make up the difference, which most year tuition freeze. best,” UUP President Fred Kowal wrote recently has been nearly $1,000 for • The budget also includes authority in a message to members. “While the students who received the maximum to pay all negotiated salary increases, ultimate result may not reflect all that TAP award, and more for those who did including delayed 2020 pay raises, due we had hoped for, there were neverthe- not receive the maximum. The maximum to all the state bargaining units, including less critical, and in certain respects, TAP award goes up by $500 to $5,665 UUP. historic gains.” under the new budget, and the budget Kowal just announced the payment also established a matching increase in schedule for the delayed raises. Go to hoW suny FAred the TAP credit calculation, which deter- https://bit.ly/3f0s7Nd for more informa- The gains include: mines how much tuition campuses must tion about the raises. • The enacted budget maintains direct waive for TAP-eligible students. • New revenue raisers, primarily state aid to the four-year campuses at “It is estimated that this historic in- through revisions in the state tax code Fiscal Year 2020-2021 levels, and it crease will generate an additional $26 that will end some tax breaks for the restores virtually all cuts that had been million for the state-operated SUNY cam- state’s richest residents, but which gener- proposed in the Executive Budget, puses this year,” Kowal said. “This addi- ally avoid major new taxes on them, including a proposed 5 percent cut in tional support will grow in subsequent which the governor never supported. operating aid. years as the plan to close the remaining

KOWAL ... continued from page 3 state due to the coronavirus It is questions like these, coming from our diverse membership pandemic, we are dedicated to across New York, that spark the socially responsible actions that defending our contract and fight- we take. ing for our members. Those of us who care about the future must work together to But we will also stand for issues leverage our collective power and influence. We call on and that are right and just. Why? Because we must. welcome all who wish to join our growing movement. Our students are watching us, and they will judge us by the Make no mistake: UUP always puts its members first. We will actions we take on behalf of the world that we are—in fact— always demand better salaries, better benefits and stronger pro- borrowing from them and all the generations to come. tections for our members. From fighting for hazard pay for our brave front line workers at SUNY’s public teaching hospitals to ensuring that our members receive pay raises delayed by the

SPRING 2021 THE VOICE 7 Cover story

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER MET VIRTUALLY WITH UUP EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS MARCH 29. HE ANSWERED MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS AND PROVIDED DETAILS ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN’S $1.9 TRILLION AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

schumerBY DARRYL MCGRATH to uup: ‘help is on the way’ help reAches memBers The rescue package brought crucial pandemic aid to New f a union is going to have someone powerful on its side, York’s residents, colleges and universities, hospitals, munici- it can’t do better than the majority leader of the United palities and state agencies. Colleges and universities in New States Senate. York got $2.6 billion, of which half will be direct financial That’s why UUP so values its strong relationship with assistance for students. The $915 million to SUNY brought Sen. Chuck Schumer, a longtime fan of the labor movement and the total amount of federal pandemic aid to the University public higher education who is now at the pinnacle of his career since last year to $1.7 billion, Schumer noted. An added plus: Ias a leader who clearly relishes the ability to help the causes in The American Rescue Plan was crafted so that much of the which he believes. aid would flow directly to municipalities, agencies and higher UUP has long enjoyed a personal channel of communication education systems. with the senator, which has allowed UUP President Fred Kowal to “Do not let the governor or anyone tell you they don’t have advocate directly to Schumer about the tremendous needs at the money for SUNY,” said a talkative, visibly relaxed and SUNY. That access to the senator was never more helpful than in unhurried Schumer in his hour-long meeting with UUP, during the days leading up to the passage of the $1.9 trillion American which he alternated between a proud recitation of facts and Rescue Plan, which brought $915 million in desperately needed figures about the bill and warmly personal anecdotes about federal funding to the university (see related story, page 9). Kowal his long association with the labor movement. “As we say in spoke with Schumer as word of the bill’s passage became news, Brooklyn, we have the effin’ money. Tell ’em Uncle Chuck and a few days later, the senator held an exclusive virtual meeting said that.” with the UUP Executive Board. The bill’s reach is more expansive than many UUP members Fresh off one of the most transformative legislative triumphs may have first realized. For example, the expanded child tax of the last century, he delivered a warm, deeply personal credit could help many members, as Schumer noted. message of hope. Under the expanded credit, an adult with a single income of “Our friends, I just want to report to you, help is on the way,” less than $75,000 and one child under age 6 would qualify for Schumer said as the meeting opened. He had just steered it the full yearly credit of $3,600, which will be distributed to through a challenging pathway in a Senate with a 50-50 split qualifying parents as monthly payments. The expanded child tax that left no margin for error. The bill has been likened to a mod- credit extends through tax season for the current year, although ern-day version of President Johnson’s Great Society because the Biden administration is already examining ways to make it it addresses so many social issues, including child poverty and permanent. The plan recognizes the hardships imposed by the relief for low-income and working-poor Americans. coronavirus pandemic on many middle-class families and—as is

THE VOICE SPRING 2021 8 thanks for passing the ‘rescue plan’ BY MICHAEL LISI The ad thanks Schumer and New York’s congressional delegation .S. Senate Majority for “standing up for New York’s Leader Chuck Schumer public schools, colleges and commu- and New York’s congres- nities, and passing the American sional delegation were in- Rescue Plan.” strumental in the passage of President UUP President Fred Kowal said Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue he happily signed on to the ad. UPlan Act, and New York’s unions are For months, UUP members pushed saying thank you. for passage of a COVID-19 recovery UUP is one of hundreds of NYSUT bill. UUP members, as part of our locals listed in a newspaper ad pur- union’s letter-writing campaign, chased by NYSUT and the AFT that sent nearly 6,000 e-letters to their ran March 15 in a number of papers, congressional representatives including The New York Times, The urging them to approve Biden’s Daily News and the New York Post. recovery bill. It also ran in the Albany Times The American Rescue Plan Act vaccine distribution. The bill also Union, The Buffalo News, the provides $1,400 direct payments to provides $130 billion to elementary, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, people who earn up to $75,000 annu- middle and high schools to assist with The Journal News, Newsday and the ally, $350 billion in aid to state and safe reopening. Syracuse Post-Standard. local governments, and $14 billion for Biden signed the bill March 11.

the case with some UUP members—the child tax credit can help repayment by another year, with the strong possibility that even- if one wage-earner in a two-income household lost their job tually, the federal government may forgive the loans altogether. in the past year of economic hardship and has been unable to The American Rescue Plan also seeks to reduce hospital costs, find new work—a common situation during the pandemic. by making health insurance more affordable and thereby reduc- The expanded child tax credit payments will begin in July. ing the number of uninsured or underinsured patients, and by “We’re going to take half the children in America out of providing funds for the purchase of equipment needed to treat poverty,” Schumer said. “To take half the kids out of poverty COVID-19 patients. in American is incredible. This is good for America.” And that’s just the beginning, Schumer said. Next on Congress’ UUP President Fred Kowal hailed Schumer as a true friend agenda: President Biden’s major infrastructure bill that could be to UUP, who has a warm spot for SUNY Downstate Health a source of high-paying jobs for SUNY graduates, and legisla- Sciences University, which is in the heart of Schumer’s native tion that would provide funding to address even more poverty- Brooklyn. related issues, including the high mortality rates of expectant “You have delivered hundreds of millions of dollars to our and postpartum Black women, and of Black infants in their campuses, funding that has saved jobs and kept alive the dream first year of life. of a college education for countless young people,” Kowal told Senate Democrats may use the fast-track budget reconciliation the senator. He also noted that Schumer “made sure our public process to pass the infrastructure plan without Republican hospitals got the help they needed.” support, as they did with the American Rescue Plan. The infrastructure plan is moving more slowly, and the White House is hospitAls likely to get deBt relieF still seeking support among moderate Republicans. The plan SUNY hospitals got direct aid in a series of federal relief is of special interest to UUP because it goes well beyond the packages last year, and they also received quick-turnaround traditional bridges-and-roads definition of infrastructure and loans to help make up the extraordinary shortfalls and expenses would, for example, tackle climate change through funding they faced last spring when all revenue-generating elective for clean-energy projects. surgery stopped, and the hospitals began treating an overwhelm- Kowal pledged UUP’s continued support, noting that the ing number of COVID patients. union is ready and willing to advocate for legislation at the Schumer told UUP leaders that Congress expects to lower the federal level. current 10 percent interest rate on those loans to 4 percent, and it “If you need any help, the largest higher education union in will probably extend the fast-approaching deadline for starting the country is with you,” Kowal told Schumer.

SPRING 2021 THE VOICE 9 UUP front

uup mobilizationBY DARRYL MCGRATH and outreach to connect

irst there was the Janus decision. Then there was the Trump administration, which instituted so many anti-worker policies and laws they could have filled a briefing book for Fa presidential debate. And then the coronavirus pandemic happened. The last five years have not been easy for unions. But UUP has turned BURTON HELIN JUDGE the tables and directed its energies into making this a time of strength, unity and empowerment for its members, through the creation of the UUP Mobi- ing during the worst challenge we have and UUP that started two and a half lization and Outreach department. The ever faced, our members have never years ago. UUP hired them in January. department brings together seven UUP been more engaged. We believe that the Sheldon started with UUP as an intern staff members, three of them new hires work of Mobilization and Outreach will while earning her master’s degree in and all of them experienced in working help us stay on track with that engage- public administration at the University for the labor movement—and passionate ment, as we look toward the end of a at Albany’s Rockefeller College. She about it. difficult period that lasted longer than joined UUP full time in 2018 and has The new department is under the super- any of us originally expected.” worked in communications, organizing, vision of UUP Executive Director Kristie outreach and policy. Sammons. A shAred pAssion For lABor Trimarchi has also worked in a variety Department staff consists of Amy of roles at UUP; he moved into organiz- Sheldon, associate director of outreach; ing and member engagement several telling memBers: YOU’RE uup UUP Mobilization and Outreach has Rob Trimarchi, mobilization and en- years ago. Sprague started nearly seven two main goals: connecting with mem- gagement project manager; Danielle years ago in UUP’s IT department; in bers so that they can his new role, he is stay involved with managing member- UUP and have more “We know that there are anti-union forces ship engagement and opportunities to be mobilization data, heard by their union; out there that aren’t just hoping the labor movement identifying innovative opportunities and mobilizing and falters, but are actively trying to destroy it ...” engaging with mem- to improve outreach, and ensuring that the bers, UUP leaders — UUP President Fred Kowal and partners in the engagement strategy labor and social jus- maximizes UUP’s tice movements. reach to members, Four months into its inception, it’s Judge, assistant director of social justice activists, leaders and allies. Becker clear that Mobilization and Outreach is and mobilization; Richard Burton, started as a rep for the UUP Benefit achieving both aims, UUP President strategic campaigns and mobilization Trust Fund in 2009, and she has also Fred Kowal said. coordinator; Jordan Helin, mobilization worked in field services and organizing. “We know that there are anti-union and political training coordinator; Josh forces out there that aren’t just hoping Sprague, strategic engagement and data Wide rAng e oF projects the labor movement falters, but are analytics coordinator; and Mary Becker, The department has worked with chap- actively trying to destroy it, and that mobilization and outreach assistant. ters on numerous projects, including out- effort has not let up during the pan- Judge, Burton and Helin began work- reach to members who may not feel as demic,” Kowal said. “But what UUP has ing with UUP as professional organizers connected to their union because their found is that instead of faltering or fail- through a joint project between the AFT schedules or jobs do not always allow time

THE VOICE SPRING 2021 10 unionfor engagement. Membersmembers, in this group and itscoalition development of a team of envi-partnerswas a faculty member for a dozen years include medical residents, contingent em- ronmental advocates within the union. at Seattle Central Community College; ployees and athletic department members. The department is also working with while there, he served as the political It has also provided ways for members chapters to expand and engage chapter- action chair of his faculty union, AFT to get involved in UUP projects and level political teams. Local 1789. campaigns that have been especially The staff members of Mobilization and “UUP is fortunate to have every one important during the pandemic, such as Outreach clearly share a sense of mission, of the dedicated staff members working child care, and advocacy for federal and which drew them to union work. in the Mobilization and Outreach depart- state funding to SUNY. UUP is also in “UUP’s advocacy on behalf of its mem- ment, and we are especially happy to the early stages of planning for its next bers, students and patients is unwavering, have gained three people with the energy, contract negotiations—the agreement and I am proud to be part of the team drive and experience that Danielle, with the state goes to July 1, 2022—and that supports that important mission,” Jordan and Richard bring to their new Mobilization and Outreach will work Sheldon said. positions,” Kowal said. with the Membership Committee to en- Helin, Judge and Burton reflect a simi- Judge summarized a feeling threaded gage and activate members around con- lar commitment; Judge describes work- through the comments about the new tract negotiations. ing for the labor movement as “the most department by all of the staff when she Other topics for which the department meaningful work I have ever done.” offered this recollection: “Someone can help members connect with UUP in- Helin became a committed unionist once asked me ‘How do I want people clude diversity, equity and inclusion; in- while a graduate student at SUNY Stony to remember me?’ At the time I didn’t troducing new employees to UUP; and Brook, where he was a department mo- have an answer, but now I can say, ‘I environmental issues, including the bilizer for the Graduate Student Employ- want people to know that I really cared work UUP has done with NY Renews ees Union (CWA Local 1104). Burton and wanted to make a difference.’”

Are You a Member? Total Gross Fed Taxable Gross Thomas P. DiNapoli J. DOE Current 3456.78 1234.56 New York State Comptroller YTD 45,678.90 34,567.89 Advice # 123456789 Pay Start Date 1/10/2019 Advice Date 1/10/2019 Pay End Date 1/24/2019 Net Pay 1,234.56 HECK AY TUB O AKE URE Department ID C P S T M S 1234 Pay Rate 56,789.10 Current YTD TAX DATA EARNINGS Hrs./Days Earnings Hrs./Days Earnings Federal State NYC Yonkers Marital Status 4 4 To be a member of the union, your Regular Pay Salary Employee 3456.78 45,678.90 Allowances 2 0 56.78 678.90 Location Pay Add. Amt. paycheck must say “UUP Member” TAXES Current YTD Fed Withholding 3,456.78 12,345.67 under “Deductions.” Medicare 5,678.90 4,567.89 Social Securty 3,456.78 1,234.56 NY Withholding 5,678.90 4,567.89 Please contact your chapter Current YTD DEDUCTIONS Current YTD Regular Before Tax Health 456.78 1,234.56 officers for a membership card Supplemental Ret. Annually Prog. 678.90 5,678.90 34.56 456.78 TIAA Retirement Before Tax 56.78 1,234.56 or go to https://bit.ly/1RYG65y

The Benefits of Being UNION! Membership in your union goes well beyond fair and equitable wages, and Being a member of UUP also means you maintain: quality, affordable health insurance. It’s a statement: There is strength in • Representa'on in interroga'ons or disciplinary ac'ons, or in legal ac'ons numbers, and our collec've voice will be heard. brought on behalf of members; • Representa'on if Title IX harassment complaints are filed against you Together, our voice is heard when bargaining with New York state and (for student or coworker complaints); SUNY. Our voice strengthens our leverage in contract talks and enforcement, • Access to benefits and services provided by UUP Member Services Trust, and in addressing problems in SUNY labormanagement mee'ngs. and discount programs and services provided by UUP’s state and na'onal affiliates: NYSUT, AFT and NEA; Our voice is heard as the main advocate for SUNY campus and hospital • Access to UUP’s vision, dental, and life insurance plans in re'rement; and funding, and for other legisla've issues of importance to you—issues that • The right to vote on the union contract, and to provide input in chapter help us be(er meet the needs of our students and our pa'ents. and statewide union elec'ons.

SPRING 2021 THE VOICE 11 UUP front

uupBY DARRYL M CGdebtRATH clinics continue to help Twomembers years later, the student debt clinics for members are still going amela Malone’s student strong, under the oversight of UUP debt moment of reckoning statewide Secretary/Treasurer came in July 2018 at Jeri O’Bryan-Losee. The union an AFT convention in has presented nearly 80 clinics, Pittsburgh. and it switched them to virtual A resolution was coming up for mode during the pandemic without debate on the convention floor about missing a beat. P “Our members do so much for an imminent class-action lawsuit by the AFT against Navient Solutions this union, and UUP is proud and

Inc., the giant student loan servicing FILE PHOTO happy to do something this con- structive in turn for its members,” company. Malone was chatting with ESC CHAPTER PRESIDENT PAMELA MALONE, RIGHT, EDUCATES UUP President Fred Kowal, and MEMBERS ON STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS AT A UUP President Fred Kowal said. remembers telling him, “Oh, Fred, RECENT UUP-SPONSORED STUDENT DEBT CLINIC. “Student debt is a burden on indi- I have a story for you.” viduals, and a terrible burden on A few minutes later, she stood on society. It’s a problem not only the convention floor and spoke to several internal training and practices, and also for recent graduates just starting their thousand unionists in support of the reso- agreed to pay a $1.75 million settlement career as UUP members, but also for lution. She recounted her own hellish ex- that will go toward education and student some of our more established members, perience with her student loan, which was loan counseling to borrowers who work especially if they attained advanced not serviced by Navient, but which was in public service. degrees in their fields. I would encour- mired in years of misinformation that age any UUP member to explore the Malone had followed in good faith. She reAching hundreds oF uupers resources we offer through our student spoke in support of legal action that would And Malone, who has long since elimi- debt clinics.” hold Navient to account for what the AFT nated her student debt with the help of In a one-hour session, a UUP student considered a long history of insufficient the AFT, has paid that help forward by debt clinic offers members a primer on help to student borrowers, especially when educating hundreds of UUP members on income-driven repayment, the application it came to advising them about public how they can do the same. for public service loan forgiveness, advice service loan forgiveness. A short time She was one of the first UUP members to on common mistakes and resources for later, Alyssa Picard, director of the AFT train as an instructor for the wildly success- credible help during the process. Higher Education Division, approached ful student debt clinics that UUP started in Malone and said, “Have you come to one 2019, under the guidance of the AFT. misinFormAtion is common of our debt clinics? You need it.” The clinics provide information on Malone paid off her student debt under Fast-forward to 2021. Navient and the income-driven repayment plans and the the federal loan forgiveness program in AFT reached a settlement in June 2020, federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness October 2019. The federal government in which Navient agreed to revise its program. see CLINICS, page 23

Summer app helps with student debt UUP members have access to an online app that makes it easier to check their eligibility for—and to enroll in—federal student loan repayment programs. “Summer” is a website created in 2019 to help student loan borrowers navigate the complex repayment process. Summer combines innovative technology and policy expertise to help borrowers track their loans in one place, and recommends the best repayment plan for their individual situation, such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that enables qualifying public workers to discharge their loans after 10 years. Go to AFT Member Benefits at https://www.aft.org/benefits/summer to find out more about enrolling in the free online student loan management platform.

THE VOICE SPRING 2021 12 UUP MEMBER AND ESF SUSTAINABLE FACILITIES MANAGER SUSAN FASSLER, TAKES PART IN A UUP PANEL DISCUSSION ON SUNY’S ROLE IN DEALING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE. SHE LATER TESTIFIED ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CLIMATE LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACT (CLCPA) AT A MAY 13 STATE ASSEMBLY HEARING.

uup panel: suny key to addressing climate change BY DARRYL MCGRATH director for The Nature Conservancy; carbon footprint. UUP sees that goal as Dennis Elsenbeck, president of Viridi part of an overall effort that should also UNY could be a key player Parente and a New York State Climate include starting new certificate and de- in the fight against climate Action Council member; Stephan Edel, gree programs in green energy fields. change—and UUP stands ready coalition coordinator for New York with its partners in environ- Renews; UUP member Susan Fassler, the time is rig ht mental advocacy to help SUNY achieve sustainable facilities manager at SUNY And several developments make this a that goal. Environmental Science and Forestry; and good time to raise these points: SUNY SUUP President Fred Kowal and six Peter Iwanowicz, executive director of Chancellor Jim Malatras, who has a good experts in renewable energy and sustain- Environmental Advocates of New York cooperative relationship with UUP, is a ability made that point during a virtual and also a member of the state Climate member of the state Climate Action roundtable hosted by UUP April 22, the Action Council. Council. Two days ago, Englebright 51st celebration of Earth Day. The round- announced that the Assembly had just table, which drew an audience of more much done; more to go passed a package of legislation aimed at than 200 viewers, came on the same day The discussion ranged from efforts al- reducing waste, emissions and contami- that President Biden announced at a vir- ready underway—SUNY ESF, for exam- nants. Fassler testified at a May 13 tual international climate change summit ple, aims to recycle, reuse or compost Assembly hearing on the implementation that the U.S. will cut its carbon emissions most of the trash produced on campus by of the Climate Leadership and Commu- at least in half from 2005 levels by 2030. 2025—to better ways to work with com- nity Protection Act, which UUP backs. “I can’t think of a better way to spend munities toward just transition. That’s im- And UUP has two policy proposals that Earth Day than by talking about ways we portant not only in urban areas, but in the call on SUNY to work with the union as a union, we as a university system, can rural communities where many SUNY toward the goal of greater sustainability: reduce our carbon emissions and help re- campuses are based, panelists noted. the UUP legislative agenda, New York duce climate change,” Kowal, the moder- At the heart of the just transition philos- HEALS (health care, education, access, ator, said in his opening remarks as he ophy is the recognition that many jobs leadership, sustainability), and UUP’s referenced the president’s announcement. that harm the environment are also major NY25 proposal, which also includes an “UUP must have a leading role in this. sources of employment in areas with few environmental component. We are educators and we are healers. opportunities for low-income residents. UUP and SUNY face many challenges All the work we do is all keyed to the The challenge is to replace those harmful in this area, but they are not unattainable, future, and the future must be environ- jobs with employment in green technol- panelist Stephan Edel of NY Renews told mentally just.” ogy and sustainable fields. the audience. Panelists included State Assemblymem- As one of the largest property managers “SUNY is a huge player,” Edel said. ber and longtime UUPer Steve Engle- in the state—SUNY owns roughly 40 per- “Faculty members, students and staff bright, a Long Island Democrat and chair cent of the buildings in New York—UUP can play a part as advocates. We know of the Assembly Committee on Environ- has long proposed that SUNY should this is a huge, challenging task, that mental Conservation; Jessica Ottney make a concerted effort to develop SUNY is almost uniquely prepared to Mahar, New York policy and strategy greater sustainability and reduce its deliver.”

SPRING 2021 THE VOICE 13 UUP front members address Black maternal, infant mortality BY DARRYL MCGRATH RASHEED DAVIS, A CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT UP is helping to shine STONY BROOK HSC, SAID IT a light on a tragedy of IS IMPORTANT TO EDUCATE Black families in this PROVIDERS ABOUT PERINATAL country: the high num- DEPRESSION. “JUST BEING BLACK IS A RISK FACTOR,” ber of Black women who suffer SHE SAID. severe or fatal complications during Upregnancy in the year after giving birth, and Black infants who die in their first weeks of life. Black Maternal Care “This is really unacceptable,” said Dr. Christina Pardo, a UUP member and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at SUNY Downstate Senator Zellnor Myrie Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn Assemblymember Health Sciences University. “We Kimberly Jean-Pierre know Black women have increased risk of pre-term labor, higher death rates from breast and endometrial Among the members working on this Marjorie Vail Mrs. New York American 2020 Dr. Christina Pardo cancer, and the highest rates of infant problem: Pardo, who is director of global MODERATOR SUNY Downstate Ngozi Moses Brooklyn Perinatal Network mortality. What we have finally started to women’s health and social obstetrics and acknowledge are the effects of racism and gynecology at Downstate; and Rasheed disparity in our communities. The hospi- Davis, an emergency medicine physi- Barbara McFadden National Coalition Rasheed Davis of 100 Black Women tals in our Black and Brown communities cian’s assistant and a clinical assistant National Coalition Dr. Camille Clare of 100 Black Women SUNY Downstate

cation du E

c c are typically less resourced.” e e professor at Stony Brook HSC with a r s s a

HEALS

Feb. 26, 2021

UUP members are taking a major role y

special interest in women’s health. There t s i

l h

b p

in publicly addressing this staggering and is also Downstate employee Dr. Camille 2:15 - 3:45 p.m. shameful gap in health care in the wealth- Clare, newly appointed chair of obstetrics iest nation in the world. They are in posi- and gynecology. All three participated tions of power to influence change, and in a panel of experts on Black maternal A long, trA gic they are in clinical settings that allow and infant health sponsored by UUP in history oF rAciAl dispArity them to make a real difference, both February, as part of the annual conference There is nothing new about the terrible through direct care of their patients, and of the New York State Association of numbers. Black women in the U.S. have through observations that give them an Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian long had a much higher rate of death important voice in helping set policy. Legislators Inc. during pregnancy and childbirth than

Buy a UUP face mask; make a donation! Now members can wear a stylish face mask and help out UUP’s nonpartisan political action fund or the union’s College Scholarship Fund at the same time. Those who purchase a face mask with filters, or five filters only, can choose to use their payment as a donation to VOTE-COPE or to UUP’s undergraduate and post baccalaureate scholarship programs. The masks are made in the USA of 100 percent cotton and are machine washable. The filters are hand washable. Masks with filters are selling for $20; the five filters are $10. Go to https://bit.ly/3oEipSJ to order online. Go to https://uupinfo.org/masks/OrderForm.pdf to order by mail and pay by check.

THE VOICE SPRING 2021 14

“We really want patients to know we are white women. Black women are more than three here, and we are providing a full range times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth, or within 42 days of labor and delivery systems.” of the end of a pregnancy, than white — Dr. Camille Clare women in the U.S., according to the SUNY Downstate American Journal of Managed Care. CLARE The overall average of all maternal deaths in the U.S. increased in 2019

from 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live of its health care focus in that agenda, Oberstein at SUNY Downstate, Vanessa

births—a figure that is higher than 10 the union is urging the state to expand Barnabei, of the University at Buffalo;

other industrialized nations—to 20.1.

resources to Downstate directed at this Ellen Steinberg, of Stony Brook HSC;

Broken down by race, the maternal mor-

effort. Downstate is already one of only and Brian Thompson, of Upstate Medical

tality rate was 17.9 deaths per 100,000 University. The appointees also included

17 regional perinatal centers in New

live births for non-Hispanic white York, a designation conferred by the state Clare, then at New York Medical College women, and 44 deaths per 100,000 live Department of Health Services that rec- and now at Downstate; and Christopher births for non-Hispanic Black women. ognizes the hospital as providing the Plummer of Stony Brook HSC. The U.S. Department of Health and highest level of care to women in the last Human Services has tracked similar— weeks of pregnancy and also to infants in s concern Being met and similarly shocking—numbers that uup’ the first weeks of life. FederAlly, stAteWide reveal an infant mortality rate for Black Additionally, the union supports passage Other initiatives at the local, state and babies that is 2.3 times higher than for of the Chisholm Chance Act—introduced federal levels in the last few years have non-Hispanic white babies. The rates of by state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn variously involved SUNY academic babies born with low birth weight and Democrat representing the 20th Senate medical centers, lawmakers who have babies who die from sudden infant death District—which would create an adminis- supported UUP’s legislative agenda, or syndrome are higher for Black infants trative hub in Kings and Bronx counties federal legislation that UUP supported. than for non-Hispanic white infants, and to coordinate community-based organiza- Among these efforts: Black mothers are far more likely to get tions and community health workers to • In 2018, the New York City Health either no prenatal care, or care that combat the maternal health crisis. Department named SUNY Downstate as comes late in the pregnancy. UUP President Fred Kowal has pledged one of 23 public and private maternity The overall problem of maternal mor- a continued push by the union to help hospitals that would receive four years of tality in the U.S., much less the identifi- change these appalling outcomes for targeted help to reduce life-threatening cation of this problem within any Black women and infants, tens of thou- complications during and after childbirth. particular racial group, was obscured for sands of whom are served by all four All the hospitals were in low-income too long by inadequate record-keeping SUNY academic medical centers. neighborhoods with the city’s highest by states. As noted in a January 2020 “When we call for the restoration of rates of pregnancy complications. report issued by the National Center for state support to SUNY hospitals, and • President Biden’s $1.9 trillion Ameri- Health Statistics, a division of the fed- adequate funding of our academic med- can Rescue Plan for coronavirus relief eral Centers for Disease Control and ical centers, it’s not just a call for support allows states to extend postpartum Medi- Prevention, “... the ability to correctly of services,” Kowal said. “It’s a call to caid coverage for a full year, instead of identify and report maternal deaths has address what our colleague Dr. Pardo the existing extension of only 60 days particularly been a challenge.” correctly called a racial and economic after delivery. The plan provides states The federal government in 2003 rec- disparity. These high-needs academic with funding for the extended coverage. ommended a change in how maternal medical centers reflect a lack of attention • Prior to the American Rescue Plan deaths were reported, through a simple by the state to low-income families.” development, the respective chairs of check-box on the death certificate com- UUP hailed the state’s 2019 law that the state Senate and Assembly health pleted by the physician, but it was not created a Maternal Mortality Review committees—Sen. Gustavo Rivera and until 2017 that every state followed that Board, which followed the governor’s Assemblymember Richard Gottfried, recommendation. 2018 task force on maternal mortality and both New York City Democrats—had last disparate racial outcomes. The first exec- year introduced a bill to extend Medicaid doWns tA te re Ad y to hel p utive committee and review board in- coverage for a year for women who had UUP has called for long-overdue atten- cluded six faculty members affiliated just given birth. That bill is in committee, tion to the problem of Black maternal and with SUNY academic medical centers, of and in light of the federal plan to fund an infant health in its legislative agenda for which four were UUP members. Those almost identical extension of Medicaid this session, New York HEALS. As part appointees were members Aleida Llanes- see MATERNAL, page 23

SPRING 2021 THE VOICE 15 Member snapshots

FREDONIA CHAPTER MEMBER ADAM LUEBKE RECEIVED A 2020 GRAMMY AWARD FOR BEST CHORAL PERFORMANCE.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ADAM LUEBKE; INSET COURTESY OF SUNY FREDONIA LUEBKE

BYFredoniaMICHAEL LISI chapter thatmember went into it, and you bringsjust hope for the homegering. It is peoplea grammy like professor Luebke best. It got a lot of great reviews, nationally and his Fredonia Chapter colleagues who oes any musician ever think and internationally, and that kind of buzz make SUNY and UUP great.” they’re going to actually win is crucial. It certainly helped.” a Grammy Award—even if stiFF competition they’re nominated for one? it tAkes A v illAg e The album, released in February 2020 Adam Luebke certainly didn’t—and he Two Fredonia Chapter members, Alex on the Naxos label, beat out some tough won one. Jokipii and Jonathan Lombardo, played competition, including Grammy Award- DLuebke, a Fredonia Chapter member on the Grammy-winning recording. Both winning The Crossing chorus and its and assistant professor at the SUNY are adjunct lecturers at SUNY Fredonia; Grammy-winning conductor, Donald Fredonia School of Music, won the 2020 Jokipii is the principal trumpet player for Nally; and multiple Grammy-winning Grammy Award for Best Choral Perform- the BPO, and Lombardo is the orchestra’s conductor Leonard Slatkin, who led ance for the Buffalo Philharmonic Cho- principal trombonist. four choruses and the Orchestra of St. rus’ recording of Richard Danielpour’s Bernd Gottinger, a Fredonia Chapter Luke’s in the premiere performance of “The Passion of Yeshua,” with the Buf- member and associate professor who Alexander Kastalsky’s “Requiem for falo Philharmonic Orchestra and the leads the college’s Sound Recording Fallen Brothers.” UCLA Chamber Singers. Technology Program, engineered the The two-disc album “The Passion of Luebke won the Grammy for his work recording of the album. That earned him Yeshua,” recorded live in Buffalo in as director of the Buffalo Philharmonic a Grammy Award nomination for Best 2019, is a dramatic oratorio that tells the Chorus; he has directed the chorus since Engineered Album, Classical. story of Christ’s last hours on Earth. The 2015. He found out about the win in a “We are so proud of professor Luebke piece, written by Danielpour over the last live virtual ceremony; he wore a tuxedo and our Fredonia Chapter members for 25 years, takes from original Hebrew for the event. winning this prestigious award,” said scriptures—sung in Hebrew—and the “I never expected it,” said Luebke, in a UUP President Fred Kowal. “The number four Gospels. recent phone interview from Fredonia. “I of talented individuals we have at SUNY A 2020 Fanfare magazine review said was proud of the recording and the work Fredonia and across SUNY is truly stag- the album “is almost certain to go down

THE VOICE SPRING 2021 16 Spotlight shines on UUPers

ach year, hundreds of uup members publish books and articles, and are recognized for accomplishments on campus and in their communities. The Voice is pleased to recognize three members in this issue. EScott Ferguson, a Samantha Fried- Nick Pitas, an professor of business man, an Albany Chapter assistant professor in and management at member and associate the department of SUNY Cobleskill, was professor of sociology recreation, therapeutic named executive direc- is this year’s recipient recreation and tourism tor of the college’s Insti- of the University at at SUNY Brockport, tute for Rural Vitality, Albany Faculty and recently published which addresses the Student Engagement “Social Capital in the region’s most pressing FERGUSON Torch Award. FRIEDMAN Response to COVID- PITAS issues in economic The Torch Award is a 19” in the American development and education, from college UAlbany tradition that dates to the 1930s. Journal of Health Promotion. The paper access and career readiness to legal support The award honors a faculty member who has about 4,600 views and 28 citations. for agricultural businesses. has had an outstanding positive effect on a “Social capital” defines the resources Ferguson will lead the institute’s continued graduating senior’s academic and personal that a person can get from relationships, work in engaging regional partners in a col- success. Seniors submit nominations. whether with people that are really close lective effort to enhance the community and Friedman is director of the UAlbany Center or acquaintances. economic vitality in rural New York. for Social and Demographic Analysis, the According to the paper—which Pitas Ferguson has served as the college’s inau- sociology department’s internship director, co-wrote with Colin Ehmer, a public health gural chief diversity officer, and chaired a 2014-15 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award practitioner for Save the Children Federa- SUNY Cobleskill’s 2017 Strategic Planning winner, and the author of one book and tion—many of the necessary protective program. more than 25 peer-reviewed journal articles practices instituted in response to COVID- Ferguson also serves on the Schoharie on topics dealing with urban sociology, 19 further undermine social capital in County Chamber of Commerce Education immigration and housing. American communities, exacerbating a Committee and is a former president of the She has five studies in the journal review trend that many argue has been in place chamber’s Board of Directors. He also process, including two on COVID-19 mor- for decades. Practices like isolation, physi- serves as president of the Cobleskill Auxil- tality in New York City neighborhoods cal distancing, less time in public spaces, iary Services Board of Directors and as vice based on racial, ethnic and nativity status and a change in regular day-to-day activi- president of the Canajoharie Central School composition. ties, as well as historic lows of trust for the District Board of Education. government.

in history as Danielpour’s magnum opus, score and worked off of that.” not only in length (at 100 minutes) but in With more than 140 members, the all- scope, breadth and quality.” volunteer chorus practiced the 14-scene “The musicians, singers, Richard and I piece for months, working in some extra are truly humbled and honored by this rehearsals before the recording. After the award,” said JoAnn Falletta, the Grammy live recording, the chorus returned for a Award-winning director of the Buffalo chorus-only session recorded in the inti- Philharmonic Orchestra. “‘The Passion mate, acoustically superior Kleinhans of Yeshua’ was an incredible project that JOKIPII LOMBARDO Music Hall in Buffalo. brought together hundreds of musicians “What I do is make the chorus as flexi- and voices in a simply unforgettable dent chorus, we became involved with ble as possible,” said Luebke. “My stamp performance.” the performance and the recording.” is on the sound of the chorus; the tone, Luebke said he worked with Falletta diction and character of the sound.” music to his eArs and Danielpour as he prepared the chorus Luebke, who accepted his Grammy in a Luebke said he found out about the for the recording, which came nine virtual ceremony in March, said he’s project—and his involvement in it— months after the debut of “Yeshua” at the proud of the recording—even though from Falletta; she and Danielpour have Oregon Bach Festival in July 2018. winning the Grammy is still quite surreal. known each other since their days at The “The chorus director teaches all the “It’s never something I ever planned for Juilliard School. music to the chorus,” he said. “So I in my career,” he said. “Just to have the “They are old friends from Juilliard and worked with the conductor and the opportunity to work on this project. I’m they had been planning the performance,” composer to interpret the music. I sat really proud of it. I think it stands on its said Luebke. “Because we are the resi- down with JoAnn, I sat down with the own two feet.”

SPRING 2021 THE VOICE 17 Member snapshots

BYdanglerMICHAEL LISI AND DARRYL namedMCGRATH higher ed member of the year

t was never a question of whether Jamie Dangler would eventually be honored as a NYSUT Higher Education Member of the Year; it was only a question of how much Iof her remarkable career could be recapped in a two-and-a-half- minute tribute video. The answer, as more than 2,000 attendees at the virtual NYSUT Representative Assembly May 1 learned, was just enough to show why UUP leaders turned to Dangler time and again to tackle projects that were often daunting, always difficult, and sometimes seemingly intractable. And she FILE PHOTO came through for her union every UUP STATEWIDE VP FOR ACADEMICS JAMIE DANGLER IS THIS YEAR’S CO-RECIPIENT OF NYSUT’S time, not only with solutions, but HIGHER EDUCATION MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD. often with real change that made life better for her UUP colleagues and for SUNY students. work with home life, and she had a keen A stellAr cAreer Dangler, a sociologist at SUNY Cort- awareness of the special effort many Her interest in work-life balance made land who has been a union activist for women make to achieve that balance. her ideally suited for many of her roles at much of her 36-year career, has an- She knew about that from personal expe- UUP, where she started the Family Leave nounced she will not run for re-election rience, as she and her husband juggled Committee in 2001 and chaired it from its when her term ends this summer. She their careers and raised two sons, and inception to 2010. She also compiled the capped her long service with a nearly she recounted formative impressions first Family Leave/Work Life Services decade-long tenure as statewide vice from her childhood during her NYSUT Guide for UUP members. She continues president for academics. interview. to represent the union on the state’s multi- “Jamie is dedicated to unionism and to “I think my interest in unions was influ- union Labor/Management Work-Life her union,” UUP President Fred Kowal enced a lot by what I observed growing Services Advisory Board. wrote in his nomination of Dangler for up,” she said in the tribute video. In 2009, Dangler co-authored an exten- one of NYSUT’s highest honors. “She She referred to a childhood in a small sive report for UUP on gender and salary cares about UUP’s members and has town outside of Newburgh, N.Y., where inequity. The report, titled “Gender In- never been afraid to speak out to defend her family owned a grocery store, and equity,” studied potential salary inequities them or in opposition to anything that where she saw other working families at Albany, Buffalo, Cobleskill, Cortland, would impact them negatively or weaken striving to attain a good life for their Farmingdale, New Paltz and Plattsburgh, the union. She has spent a lifetime work- children—an area that would later figure measuring years of service, rank, terminal ing for members of United University into her academic research as well as degree and discipline-specific market Professions.” her work for UUP. She is the author of salaries. It also includes information on “Hidden in the Home: The Role of focus groups, interviews and discussions A pAssionAte union A ctivist Waged Homework in the Modern World- about gender inequity with UUPers at 13 As a sociologist and a unionist, Dangler Economy,” about piecework production chapters. had a particular passion for the chal- done by workers in their homes, with a Dangler also leads UUP's Teacher Edu- lenges that families face as they balance special focus on the electronics industry. cation Committee that strongly—and suc-

THE VOICE SPRING 2021 18 BYuup frontMICHAEL LISI line heroes honored for life-saving efforts

trio of UUP members on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic has been honored as 2020 Empire Whole Health Heroes for their heroic efforts. Downstate Medical Center Chapter members and physi- cians Robert Gore and Lorenzo Paladino, and Stony ABrook HSC Chapter member Dr. Marc Shapiro received GORE PALADINO SHAPIRO the award, given by Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Crain’s New York Business. They were three of 50 people who received the award. The honorees received their awards at a Feb. 18 virtual tors designed for single-patient use during the height of the ceremony. Go to https://bit.ly/3v2mwvD to read more about pandemic in New York City in spring 2020. He is a flight the awardees. surgeon in the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue “Doctors Paladino, Gore and Shapiro are true heroes who Wing. put their lives on the line to care for COVID-19 patients, Gore and Paladino, who work in Downstate’s Department especially during the early days of the pandemic,” said UUP of Emergency Medicine, were featured in CNN’s April 2020 President Fred Kowal. “We are proud of our doctors, and documentary on the early days of the coronavirus pandemic every one of our members who risked their health and the in New York City. The documentary, “Inside the ER: The In- health of their families to care for those sick with COVID credible Fight Against Coronavirus,” focused on the effect of during this year-long pandemic.” COVID-19 on the heroic health care workers at SUNY Gore teamed up with state Sen. Zellnor Myrie in July 2020 Downstate. It aired April 5, 2020. to offer a free “virtual healing” workshop for the community. Shapiro cared for 130 ventilated and critically ill COVID- His Brooklyn-based nonprofit group, Kings Against Violence 19 patients at Stony Brook University Hospital during the Initiative, visits young people in schools, hospital rooms and pandemic’s peak there in spring 2020. He worked 70 days community centers; the program helps them recover from the straight, rotating among five ICU units; none of his patients emotional trauma of gun violence. died. He did all he could to facilitate communications with Paladino participated in a White House task force that patients and their families during a time when visitations established protocols for putting multiple patients on ventila- were prohibited.

cessfully—advocated against new State Reflecting on that and other long efforts, she either led or participated in over the Education Department mandates for Dangler said in her video, “One of the years, including a day-long protest in teacher certification that were put in things I’ve learned in the union is you front of the U.S. Supreme Court Building place in 2014. have to keep your eyes on the prize, and in February 2018 as justices heard oral Working with NYSUT, UUP members, it might take a long time to get close, but arguments in the landmark anti-union the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY every step you take is a step forward.” case, Janus v. AFSCME Council 31. and state Board of Regents members, Known for her calm, steady demeanor Never one to highlight her own Dangler led a three-year fight against a in potentially fractious discussions, achievements, and always quick to credit certification process that was unfair, Dangler was the chief negotiator for others for their efforts, Dangler grew visi- flawed and which discouraged students UUP’s 2011-2016 contract with New bly emotional and fought back tears as considering a teaching career from en- York state, and served on the Negotia- she reflected on her long career with tering the profession. That led to a tions Team during bargaining talks that UUP during her NYSUT interview. March 2017 decision by the Regents to produced the 2007-2011 contract. She “I can’t envision my life without being make significant changes to the process, served as UUP’s chief negotiator during part of the union,” she said. “It’s been including eliminating one of four exams, its contract negotiations with the union’s such a wonderful experience.” and instituting a review process to help CWA staff in 2009. But she was also one Check out Dangler’s RA video tribute teaching students complete the edTPA of UUP’s most enthusiastic and vocal at https://bit.ly/3ulYgEb on the UUP requirement. advocates in the many demonstrations website.

SPRING 2021 THE VOICE 19 Labor notes

progressBY DARRYL MCGRATH made toward federal minimum wage; Amazon

resident Joe Biden accomplished much of what he wanted with the American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package that stands as his first legislative accomplishment. But he couldn’t get a $15 Pfederal minimum wage into the final bill. So the president did an end-run around the legislative obstacles to a federal wage hike, and he issued an executive order April 27 that raises the minimum wage for federal contractors to $15 an hour. Many of these workers earn a minimum wage of $10.95 an hour. The president’s executive order will apply to a wide range of workers, including cleaning and maintenance staff, food service contractors, seasonal recreational service workers and shuttle bus drivers. Their last wage increase came during the Obama FIGHTFOR15.ORG administration. Progressive groups and unions have PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ISSUES AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT RAISES THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS TO $15 AN HOUR. THE ORDER COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF EMPLOYEES, long favored a hefty increase in the fed- INCLUDING CLEANERS, FOOD SERVICE CONTRACTORS, SEASONAL RECREATIONAL WORKERS AND eral minimum wage, which has stood at SHUTTLE BUS DRIVERS. $7.25 an hour since 2009, and is the minimum amount that employers must pay their employees unless they work in have set a graduated increase in the mum wage have long said that a hike a state that has set a higher minimum. minimum wage so that it will reach $15 would have a symbolic as well as eco- Many states, including New York, have an hour at a specific point in the future. nomic value, signaling that this country taken matters into their own hands and But advocates of a higher federal mini- recognizes workers and all that they

PRO Act a boon for unionizing Media kit to spread the word about the PRO Act on social media. • Go to https://bit.ly/33ZpODW to endorse the PRO Act by The PRO Act (Protecting the Right to Organize Act) is much in signing an online UUP petition calling for approval of the bill. the news these days, as the Senate debates this important bill that would enhance protections for workers who want to organize. The House has already passed the bill. The Economic Policy Institute, an independent policy research States reject federal unemployment $ organization in Washington, D.C., has prepared this summary of The rejection of pandemic unemployment benefits started with the bill’s features, which can be found at https://bit.ly/33ok861. Montana in early May, and then snowballed. Now, at least a President Joe Biden said he will sign the PRO Act into law if dozen states have decided to end federally funded pandemic the Senate approves the bill. unemployment benefits ahead of schedule. UUP members need to keep up the pressure. Mind you, this is free money to the states, and it is provided Here’s how members can help get the PRO Act through the to recipients at no additional cost to participating states. The U.S. Senate: American Rescue Plan, President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus • UUP has posted an e-letter that you can send to your rescue package signed into law in March, will cover these bene- senators asking them to approve the PRO Act. Go to fits to Sept. 6, 2021. https://bit.ly/2SUZ8BQ to send the e-letter. The unemployment benefits have come under criticism in • Go to https://bit.ly/2T647zR to use UUP’s PRO Act Social some states as an incentive for people to not return to work, an

THE VOICE SPRING 2021 20 organizing effort fails, but there’s hope do to keep the U.S. productive. especially noteworthy, because manage- successFul orgAnizing drives UUP has long supported the effort to Yes, the Amazon vote failed—but sev- ment broke the editorial union at the raise the minimum wage nationally, and it eral other, smaller organizing efforts have paper in the mid-1990s. has participated in many events around succeeded in recent months, with far less The new union has asked the parent the national Fight for $15 campaign fanfare. company, Tribune Publishing, for volun- to accomplish that goal. Go to Here’s a sampling: tary recognition. https://fightfor15.org/ to learn more • Mass MoCA (the Massachusetts Several other Tribune Publishing papers about the Fight for $15 movement. Museum of Contemporary Art) in North have also joined the NewsGuild in the A report issued by the Congressional Adams, Mass., voted 53- last three years, including the Hartford Budget Office in the first month of the 15 April 28 to join the Courant, one of the country’s oldest con- Biden administration sent very mixed sig- United Auto Workers tinuously publishing papers. nals about what would happen to U.S. Local 2110, with both pro- About 30 years ago, the Courant’s staff workers and the U.S. economy under a fessional and nonprofes- tried to join what was then called the phased-in $15-an-hour federal minimum sional staff to be Newspaper Guild. Management threat- wage. Entitled, “The Budgetary Effects represented in the bargaining unit. ened to end the paper’s very generous an- of the Raise the Wage Act of 2021,” the Temporary layoffs last year at the start nual bonus for employees if they voted to report predicted a $54 billion increase in of the coronavirus pandemic have been unionize. The vote failed, and soon after, the federal budget deficit in the decade cited as one of the galvanizing factors in management ended the bonus anyhow. over which the minimum wage would the decision to unionize. Evidently, that was a lasting lesson. gradually rise toward $15, as well as Go to https://bit.ly/3h962gZ to learn Read more about organizing at The New higher prices for goods and services and more about the vote. York Daily News at https://bit.ly/2R1T0ar the possible loss of 1.4 million jobs. But an analysis of the report by Busi- ness Insider noted that the scare headlines from the report obscured the positive effects that the Congressional Budget • Several noteworthy organizing efforts • And ... this stands to be a successful Office calculated, including the fact that have taken place at newspapers in the last technology organizing effort that also the raise in the federal minimum wage few years. The newspaper staff at The happens to be at a newspaper: The digital would lift 900,000 people out of poverty. New York Daily News voted in February staff at The New York Times announced in Go to https://reut.rs/3vNpHan to read to join the NewsGuild of New York, April that it intends to try to join the more about President Biden’s executive which is affiliated with the Communica- NewsGuild. The traditional news staff at order. tions Workers of America. This effort is the Times is already in the NewsGuild.

argument that rarely considers the fact that it was difficult for Rescue plan also saves union pensions people to survive on minimum wage or barely above-minimum The American Rescue Plan, President Biden’s $1.9 trillion wage even before the coronavirus pandemic, especially in coronavirus relief package signed into law in March, held so regions where good-paying jobs are few and far between. many sweeping reforms that some barely received notice. Add to that the fact that many child care providers have not yet Here’s one that changed the lives of thousands of union retirees reopened, and some may never reopen, and it begs the ques- for the better. tion of how someone is supposed to work if they have no one The law contains $86 billion in emergency funding for multi- to care for their children. employer pensions, which pay benefits to union workers in There’s plenty of information out there to debunk the idea that industries such as construction, manufacturing, mining, retail unemployment is keeping people from seeking work, but the transportation and entertainment. federal pandemic benefits have clearly become a rallying cry The approximately 1,400 multi-employer pension plans in about the “pampered unemployed” in some states. This study the U.S. cover 10 million people. An estimated 124 such plans from Yale University at https://bit.ly/33MWyjL dispels that idea, were underfunded, which meant that thousands of retirees but the early cutoff of federal unemployment benefits is a done faced either severe cuts to their pensions or risked losing them deal in a number of states. altogether. Go to https://nyti.ms/33UiWra to read more about the move Go to https://bit.ly/3uUircT to read a summary of the pension to cut off unemployment. relief funding.

SPRING 2021 THE VOICE 21 Union benefits

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THE VOICE SPRING 2021 22 in-patient procedures or care that was MATERNAL ... t continued from page 15 diverted to other hospitals during the pandemic, the subject of maternal health coverage, its fate is unknown. Rivera also for New York’s most high-risk women is Maternal and infant mortality is introduced a bill earlier this year that likely to get renewed attention. Globally, getting long-overdue attention in would update the information that hospi- there are indications that the coronavirus state government and the news. The tals are required to provide patients to pandemic worsened pregnancy out- following links provide information include maternal health outcomes. comes. The state designation of Down- on measures at the federal and state Just getting practitioners together in state as a COVID-19-only hospital has levels, as well as within UUP: public forums to talk about their find- been lifted, and the hospital is offering a ings and observations can help shed full range of services, during pregnancy • New York State Taskforce on Mater- light on this important topic. Rasheed and after birth, and is working with nal Mortality and Disparate Racial Out- Davis, for example, said that although statewide and citywide efforts to provide comes, at https://on.ny.gov/3fo8lu5 much has been written about post- not only life-saving in-hospital care to • New York State Maternal Mortality partum depression, far less is understood pregnant women, but post-partum care Review Board members, at about perinatal depression—that which to women and their babies, Clare said. https://on.ny.gov/343NkzP occurs during pregnancy—and its spe- “Now that we’re open, we really want • UUP President Fred Kowal’s cial implications for already at-risk patients to know we are here, and we are statement on creation of a Maternal Black expectant mothers. Depression providing a full range of labor and deliv- Mortality Review Board, at and anxiety can increase the levels of ery systems,” she said. https://bit.ly/2RgWpCz stress hormones in the body, which can With the Biden administration’s focus • US News report: Maternal Mortal- lead to medical complications for a on improving the conditions of the coun- ity Surged Ahead of the COVID-19 pregnancy. try’s poorest residents—and with a view Pandemic in the U.S., at “It often isn’t recognized,” Davis said toward that long past the immediate relief https://bit.ly/3tWp4df during her presentation at the panel in packages of the pandemic—UUP expects • New York Times report: Small February. “Just being Black is a risk to find receptive listeners at the state and Piece of the Stimulus Has Ambitious factor. This is something that is quiet— federal level as it continues to address Aim of Saving Mothers’ Lives, at you don’t see it unless someone talks this devastating inequity and national https://nyti.ms/3ozG7Rv about it. We need to continue to create shame. • City of New York website: De Blasio support for providers to become aware Said Kowal, “It’s a terrible injustice, administration launches plan, at of perinatal depression.” and UUP will be working to change this, https://on.nyc.gov/3tWuntb With hospitals returning to normal not just in this legislative session, but for services following a year of curtailed the long haul.”

“The original loan was $65,000,” affordable, through a recent increase in LINICS continuedC from page... 13 Malone said. “I had paid 150 percent the amount of the Pell Grant, and a pro- of the loan and I still owned 50 percent posal to make community college free. forgave $30,182.16, and that still did not of the original debt.” In the meantime, UUP will continue to make up for the $100,000 she had paid Although some Democrats have raised educate its members about public service between 2002 and 2018, when she the possibility of a national student debt loan forgiveness. Chapters that wish to thought the payments were being applied forgiveness plan, the idea also has many schedule a student debt clinic can contact to loan forgiveness. In fact, Malone was skeptics and some outright opponents. O’Bryan-Losee at [email protected]. not properly enrolled in the public service Chief among the concerns: Student debt Looking back at her own experience, forgiveness program, even though she is a problem that will never go away, so Malone highly recommends that mem- thought that she was. She joins untold forgiving the debt of millions of borrow- bers avail themselves of this service. thousands of student borrowers who ers now will do little to prevent a new “The number one advice I have for found the information from their student generation of graduates from accumulat- people is, they have to know the facts, loan servicer so confusing that they being their own staggering debt burden. because you will not get the facts lieved they were working toward forgive- The Biden administration is not pushing through your servicer,” Malone said. ness, only to get a shocking correction on a student debt forgiveness plan, but it is “AFT—and UUP through AFT—will that belief years down the road. working on ways to make college more give you the facts.”

SPRING 2021 THE VOICE 23 THE NON-PROFIT ORG. Voice U.S. POSTAGE PAID United University Professions PERMIT NO. 103 P.O. Box 15143 ALBANY, N.Y. Albany, N.Y. 12212-9954