That's the Spirit

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

THE EchoEcho Vol. 4, No. 3

HAT S THE SPIRIT UUp Tmembers’ give back dUring The holidays and ThroUghoUT The year — page 4 To the Point

THE Echo Volume 4, Number 3

The Echo is an online publication of United University Professions (UUP), bargaining agent for the more than 35,000 academic and professional employees of the State University of New York.

Contact UUP at P.O. Box 15143, Albany, New York 12212-5143. Telephone (518) 640-6600 or toll-free at (800) 342-4206. UUP’s internet site is www.uupinfo.org. UUP is Local 2190 of the American Federation of Teachers (AFL-CIO) and is affiliated with NYSUT and the National Education Association.

UUP STATEWIDE OFFICERS Tribute to the late Sam Wakshull, UUP president 1975-1981 FREDERICK E. KOWAL UUP CELEBRATES THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF A UNION LEADER. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE. President

THOMAS J. TUCKER Vice President WHATthis’S issue INSIDE for Professionals

6 UUP turns 45 COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF The Echo takes a look back at the early years of JAMIE F. DANGLER THE ONEONTA CHAPTER UUP. Vice President for Academics 9 Negotiations update UUP negotiators working hard to get best contract JERI O’BRYAN-LOSEE UUPers give back possible. Secretary/Treasurer 4—UUP members—including Jen-Ting Wang of Oneonta, cover—reach out in their communities all year long. Wang and ALSO: several of her Oneonta colleagues served 3 UUP unveils legislative agenda up meals at the Saturday’s Bread kitchen. THOMAS C. HOEY 7 Union says goodbye to former president Membership Development Officer 10 Know your rights 11 Snapshots from the chapters 12 Members earn excellence awards OLLOW F UUP 15 Take the survey! UUP COMMUNICATIONS DEPT. ON FACEBOOK, 16 President Kowal receives Kate Mullany Medal MICHAEL LISI Director of Communications TWITTER AND 16 Labor notes 18 Candidate statements due March 9 KAREN L. MATTISON INSTAGRAM! Associate Director of Communications 20 NYSUT Benefits DARRYL MCGRATH Go to www.UUPinfo.org 21 Notes from AFT Healthcare Communications Specialist to sign up today. AMY SHELDON Communications/Research Associate ANGELL M. VILLAFAÑE Communications Assistant THE ECHO VOL. 4, NO. 3 2 UUP front Union eyes TAP gap, more faculty with legislative priorities related increases and revenue decreases, “This legislation would also prevent the BY MICHAEL LISI costs that campuses would be forced to pay. state from delaying future DSH payments.” nsuring that SUNY campuses are The union also wants the state to pay The union is also calling on the state to fully reimbursed for costs con- $60 million to take on the full cost of Tuition restore to $153 million the subsidy for its nected to the state’s Excelsior Assistance Program grants for students at state owned-and-operated hospitals, and Scholarship, closing the “TAP state-operated campuses. TAP helps New $36.1 million to cover the hospitals’ debt gap” for students, and supporting a SUNY York residents cover tuition costs; awards services costs. The hospitals are the only initiative to hire more full-time faculty, top are based on income eligibility and a host state department required to pay debt UUP’s legislative priorities for 2018-19. of other stipulations. service and fringe benefits costs. EUUP will also push for laws that require More than 40 percent of TAP students the state to pay past, present and future are enrolled at SUNY, yet the University has IN SYNC WITH SUNY federally mandated matching Disproportion- been forced to pay TAP benefit costs above UUP’s legislative priorities include support ate Share Program (DSH) entitlements to levels funded by the state, creating what’s for a SUNY proposal to create a “Competitive SUNY’s three state-run hospitals, and to pro- known as the “TAP gap”—the difference Innovation Fund,” to be used to hire full-time tect the facilities from any federal legislative between SUNY tuition and the maximum SUNY faculty each year over the next five cutbacks in DSH allocations. The union esti- TAP award. With the state covering the years. Funding for the $48 million program mates that the hospitals are owed more TAP gap, SUNY would be able to use those would include $30 million in new appropria- than $120 million, reaching back to 2016. dollars to sustain educational quality and tions and use of $18 million budgeted for “We are well aware of the constraints pro- improve services to students, Kowal said. SUNY’s Performance Improvement Fund. jected to be put in place in the governor’s “Those funds should be tied to quality UUP’s plan differs from SUNY’s in that it Executive Budget,” said UUP President Fred education in the classroom,” Kowal said. would set a target to hire 300 full-time Kowal. “So we have limited our requests to faculty per year, and would only pertain to those issues of most importance, issues HOSPITALS IN CRISIS SUNY, rather than including private entities. that will ensure our Kowal said SUNY’s hospitals—Brooklyn’s The union is backing SUNY’s plan to add efforts to maintain Downstate Medical Center, Stony Brook Uni- $5.2 million to its Educational Opportunity affordable access to versity Hospital in Stony Brook, and Upstate Program, $1.6 million for Educational one of the nation’s Medical University in Syracuse—are hurting Opportunity Centers, and $300,000 in largest university financially due to the state’s refusal to federal funding for the ATTAIN labs. systems, and provide release DSH funds. high-quality health Funded through Medicaid, the DSH dollars OTHER INITIATIVES care in our public are due the hospitals for services previously Other UUP legislative initiatives include: KOWAL teaching hospitals.” provided to Medicaid patients and uninsured • $5 million to set up an EOP-linked UUP represents more than 42,000 mem- individuals. The state has also withheld pipeline program to recruit and educate bers, including those who provide vital serv- matching Medicaid payments, which are future teachers from economically disadvan- ices to hundreds of thousands of SUNY required by law. taged communities to provide greater diver- students each year and more than one mil- The SUNY hospitals rely on DSH and sity in teaching. lion patients at SUNY-operated hospitals. matching state funds to fulfill their mission • $10 million to develop clean energy SUNY is still recovering from massive to treat all who walk through their doors, technology training programs at SUNY’s budget cuts enacted during the Great regardless of whether these patients have tech sector colleges. Recession. The state has cut its support for insurance or can pay for care. SUNY’s hospi- • $15 million to establish a Teaching SUNY by half since 2008, from $1.36 billion tals treat many of the state’s sickest and Health Care Fellow program at the Univer- to $674 million today. most vulnerable patients. sity at Buffalo’s medical school. It would “So many of these patients have nowhere fund new positions for as many as 75 health EXCELSIOR AND TAP else to go, and depend on SUNY’s hospitals care teaching fellows—medical and osteo- Kowal said the union will press for addi- for health care,” said Kowal. “Yet, SUNY’s pathic doctors—who would be SUNY em- tional state funding to make sure that SUNY hospitals are the only facilities that have not ployees. They would teach, mentor and campuses are “held harmless” and reim- received DSH payments from the state, dol- work with 750 resident physicians at nearly a bursed for costs or revenue losses caused by lars they rely on to provide vital health care dozen Buffalo-area hospitals. The program the state’s Excelsior Scholarship, a “last- services to so many. would help stabilize the relationship between dollar” scholarship for students whose fami- “This is why we will seek legislation re- the medical school and Buffalo-area hospitals lies make less than $100,000 per year. UUP is quiring the state and the state Department where it would place resident physicians. concerned that the program, with more than of Health to release past and present DSH The university center is the only SUNY 25,000 students, will generate enrollment- funding to the hospitals,” he continued. medical school without an attached hospital.

VOL. 4, NO. 3 THE ECHO 3 Cover story The spirit of giving Chapters reach out to those in need with community projects BY DARRYL MCGRATH

nspiration from the Chapter Action Project and awareness of how many of their fellow citizens face hardship this winter combined to bring out the best in a number of UUP chapters, as they offered special holiday help to those in need. UUP members dug deep into their own Ipockets to donate to cash collections and food pantries. They bought new toys so that children in their communities could have the joy of unwrapping a present. They turned out in droves to wrap those presents, and they served up hot meals to neighbors who dropped by at a free community lunch for companionship and comfort food. PHOTO: ONEONTA CHAPTER ONEONTA CHAPTER MEMBERS HELPING OUT IN THE SATURDAY’S BREAD KITCHEN ARE, FROM LEFT, NEW MEMBERS VOLUNTEER JACINTA BRENNAN, JIANG TAN, JEN-TING WANG, ROBERT SULMAN, ELIZABETH SEALE, BILL SIMONS, The projects drew a number of newly MIKE BROWN, BARBARA KAHL, WILLIAM ROCHE AND DOROTHY ROMBO. NOT SHOWN BUT HELPING active members, including Doug Hemphill, OUT THAT DAY WERE BETH SMALL AND JEFF WEINELL. a new statewide delegate, new chapter membership development officer and recent CAP trainee from SUNY Oswego who had said that his immersion into his chapter’s this kind of direct contact, other than with been a member for 10 years before his recent activities has “just been an incredibly my students. I just wish that people didn’t chapter president, Bill Canning, urged him rewarding experience.” have to rely on soup kitchens.” to become more involved. The chapter’s 600 members collected a SERVING UP COMPASSION CAP A GUIDING MODEL large box of nonperishable donations for the At Oneonta, a team of chapter members For Morrisville Chapter members, the CAP Human Concerns Center Food Pantry in continued their longtime volunteer relation- training changed the way that they think Oswego, and also collected money for the ship with the Saturday’s Bread community about their role on their campus and in their AFT disaster relief fund helping victims of meal program in early December, as the community, and that came into play with Hurricane Maria and the California wildfires. onset of cold weather lent an added ur- volunteer service around the holidays. “We want to support gency to this service. A network of host “We’re trying to become a hub for people our union brothers and churches and community organizations in who need volunteers,” explained Chapter sisters, which is what Oneonta ensures that a free hot meal is President Steve Hinkle. “For us, being a the AFT disaster relief available to anyone, no questions asked, small chapter, our activity has definitely fund does, but we at one location in the city every day of the increased because we are reaching out to want to remind week. Saturday’s Bread, operated by the members who are interested in the commu- ourselves and the First United Methodist Church in Oneonta, nity. You can do stuff that doesn’t cost community that we has operated for 25 years and has served money, that gets the word out—it brings HEMPHILL can help others close to a half-million meals. the college to the community, and the union locally,” Hemphill said, in explaining the Oneonta Chapter member Jacinta Bren- to the community.” two-part effort. nan, a social worker and lecturer in the In keeping with that effort, Morrisville The food drive was the first major project child and family studies department, had Chapter members will, for the second year Hemphill helped organize. In a year that helped out at Saturday’s Bread years ago. in a row, travel Dec. 21 to the college’s has also included his first UUP Delegate She decided to do so again this year, drawn Norwich campus, Chenango County, for a Assembly, and his participation in both CAP by the memory of how fulfilling it had been. day of wrapping about 250 presents for and the Education Autumn training in door- “I really enjoyed it; I just loved the area families. to-door membership engagement, Hemphill contact,” she said. “I don’t always have The outreach comes naturally to this

THE ECHO VOL. 4, NO. 3 4 chapter, where three members—Stephanie with families as they prepare to return HELPING HUNGRY STUDENTS Lawhorne, the vice president for profession- A campus-community partnership also to independent living. als; Treasurer Rita Goyette; and Tyler figured into the Albany Chapter’s year- Chapter member Audra Perrino, the direc- Wheelock—also serve on the Morrisville end project. UUP members contributed tor of admissions for the Stony Brook HSC Campus/Community Relations Committee. $700 in out-of-pocket donations to the physician’s assistant program, will once The committee plans an annual party for food pantry at the St. Vincent De Paul again visit the shelter, with students in the community residents in which children can Roman Catholic Church in Albany. The program portraying Santa and his elves as be photographed with Santa; this year’s parish’s proximity to the College of St. they distribute gifts to the families in the party took place Dec. 3. Rose and UAlbany has made for a special 76-unit shelter. UUP members donated Jeri O’Bryan-Losee, a Morrisville Chapter relationship with the campuses, and many of the gifts. member and now statewide UUP secretary/ UAlbany students now have access to The chapter has remembered the shelter treasurer, was instrumental in helping the the St. Vincent’s food pantry. at other times of the year also, and has chapter get involved with the gift-wrapping “Twenty-five UAlbany students used the collected Halloween costumes in the fall for for the first time last year. The collection of food pantry between the children. new clothing and other gifts for families in July and November,” “I tell my pre-PA kids this all the time— need in Chenango County is organized by said Greta Petry, the they’re living in such a technical world that the Liberty Partnerships, a state program for Albany Chapter griev- they’re getting disconnected,” Perrino said. at-risk middle- and high-school students in ance chair. “Food One visit to the shelter, where about 150 the Norwich School District that encourages insecurity by students children are living with their families, drives students to stay in school and aim for is a national problem; home the point that compassion and service college. As the former director of science this is how we’re will be part of their career as well as their PETRY and technology programs at Morrisville, addressing it.” medical skills. O’Bryan-Losee worked with programs The connection with St. Vincent De Paul Chapter President Carolyn Kube said she designed to help underrepresented students also had its roots in a CAP project last put out the word about the toy drive for enter scientific fields and, by extension, spring, when the Albany Chapter did a the shelter, and got back a very gratifying knew the Liberty Partnerships well. fundraising walk for the food pantry that response. A number of departments in the The gift-wrapping day is also the kind raised $2,000. vast Stony Brook system are in buildings of project that carries the CAP goals for- apart from the main campus, and each ward, without requiring CAP funding, said AN OUTPOURING OF DONATIONS department usually has its own holiday O’Bryan-Losee, who oversees the CAP At Stony Brook Health Sciences Center, party. Still, members really came through program with statewide Membership the emphasis has been on giving homeless for the toy drive. Kube anticipates collecting Development Officer Tom Hoey. children at a Long Island shelter the mes- at least 50 toys for the shelter. She’s “We put a call out to the campus and said, sage that others care about them and impressed, but not surprised. ‘UUP is doing this,’” O’Bryan-Losee said in remember them. The chapter has a long Said Kube, “I find when you engage the recounting the great response to the gift- connection with the Help Suffolk transitional members, they’re happy to say, this is what wrapping project last year. shelter in Bellport, Long Island, which works my union does.”

6 5 7 1 4 8 2

JERI O’BRYAN-LOSEE ABOVE, MORRISVILLE CHAPTER MEMBERS WHO HELP GIFT WRAP DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON ARE: 1, LATIMAH CLARK; 2, CYNTHIA REIDI; 3, SARAH BLISS; 4, TYLER WHEELOCK; 5, STEPHANIE LAWHORNE; 6, STEVE HINKLE; 7, MARQUIS BENNETT; 8, JERI O’BRYAN-LOSEE; AND 9, SHELLY BARTOW.

LEFT, PAUL GALLAGHER, A STUDENT IN STONY BROOK HSC’S PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT PROGRAM, PLAYS SANTA FOR AREA YOUTH.

PHOTO: STONY BROOK HSC CHAPTER

VOL. 4, NO. 3 THE ECHO 5 Celebrating 45 years UUP then and now: Taking on the challenges BY KAREN L. MATTISON

nited University Profes- sions was established in 1973, a year that saw American society caught up in a storm of political upheaval and civil unrest. A presidential scandal was front-page news, and civil and Uhuman rights issues had come to the fore, sometimes violently, and often on university campuses. Forty-five years later, it seems little has changed at the national level. One might be inclined to say the same is true for UUP. In 1973, the

fledgling union was threatened by FILE PHOTO representation battles, while the THIS PHOTO OF THE 1973-1975 UUP EXECUTIVE BOARD WAS TAKEN AT THE UNION’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY diverse nature of SUNY campuses— CELEBRATION IN MAY 1993, WHEN BILL SCHEUERMAN WAS PRESIDENT. FROM LEFT ARE: FRED MILLER, university centers, tech sector DOTTIE GUTENKAUF, NATHANIEL QUATTLEBAUM, HARVEY INVENTASCH, SCHEUERMAN, AKIRA SANBONMATSU, colleges, specialized colleges, health DOROTHY CODKIND, SECOND UUP PRESIDENT SAM WAKSHULL (1975-1981) AND JOE DREW. sciences centers, and comprehensive colleges—had members questioning if as they fought to gain fair salaries and bene- election for the right to represent academic the union could represent everyone equally. fits, job security, tenure and pensions. and professional employees; UUP won by Heading into 2018, the union faces one Questions of representation dogged UUP: nearly 2,000 votes. of its toughest challenges yet: the U.S. Could one voice speak for the various Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME needs of teaching and nonteaching profes- MILESTONE MOMENTS Council 31, which threatens the right of sionals? Could one voice speak for the vari- Throughout these challenges, UUP mem- unions to collect fees equivalent to dues ous concerns on 29 college campuses bers went about their business, confident from bargaining unit members who don’t spread across the state? their union would emerge as the sole bar- sign a union card. Four-plus decades later, the answer is a gaining agent for SUNY employees. But it’s not the same at all. While the resounding yes. On May 12, 1973, UUP held its first Dele- turmoil at the federal level toppled a But it didn’t come easy. The union twice gate Assembly following the merger of SPA president in 1974, and calls mount for this had its position as bargaining agent con- and SUFT. Delegates of the fledging president to step down amid allegations of tested, and once faced a challenge to sepa- union—representing 3,500 members— election collusion, the union has—and will— rate a campus from the bargaining unit. elected Lawrence DeLucia of Oswego as survive the challenges. In 1974, the Civil Service Employees As- the union’s first president. He was joined by sociation (CSEA) unsuccessfully sought to Fred Burelbach of Brockport, vice president HOWWEGOTHERE become the bargaining representative for for academics; Patricia Buchalter of Albany, In February 1973, representatives of the nonteaching professionals at SUNY. vice president for professionals; Dorothy Senate Professional Association (SPA) and In November 1976, UUP overcame an- Gutenkauf of Cortland, secretary; Joseph the State University Federation of Teachers other challenge, one that would have sepa- Drew of Buffalo Center, treasurer; and Anne (SUFT) met to discuss merger. By spring, rated Stony Brook HSC from the bargaining Willcox of Upstate Medical University, mem- SPA’s Representative Council and SUFT’s unit. In a petition, the Health Science Cen- bership chair. representatives overwhelmingly voted for ter Council argued that the HSC had a sep- Delegates also elected the first merger. In May, the two sides formed arate community of interest and a unique 11-member Executive Board: O. Michael SUNY/United, which became UUP in October mission that set it apart from the rest of Lilien, Upstate Medical; Fred Miller, after the state objected to the original name. SUNY. The Public Employment Relations Oneonta; Samuel Wakshull, Buffalo State; The early years for UUP were marked by Board (PERB) rejected the petition, ruling Dorothy representation battles and the quest for bet- that the differences cited were inherent in Codkind, Potsdam; Stanley Goldstein, ter terms and conditions of employment. Ac- the overall makeup of a university. Downstate; Barbara McCaffery, Geneseo; ademic and professional faculty throughout Two years later, the New York Educators Alan Willsey, Cortland; Constantine the University faced considerable challenges Association (an NEA affiliate) forced an Yeracaris, Buffalo Center; Bernard Parker,

THE ECHO VOL. 4, NO. 3 6 Union says goodbye to former president Wakshull FORMER UUP PRESIDENT SAM BY ICHAEL ISI M L WAKSHULL HOLDS UP A COPY OF UP members are THE NEA ADVOCATE DURING AN mourning the loss EARLY UUP DELEGATE ASSEMBLY. of Sam Wakshull, the union’s second focus on winning better wages president and one of its found- and benefits for part-time ing members, who died Dec. 12. employees, UUP’s membership Wakshull, 95, was UUP presi- nearly tripled—to 11,500—by Udent from 1975-1981, and the end of his time as president. guided the union during its “The only way I thought you early years. UUP made many were going to build a union is to gains during Wakshull’s time have everyone feel as though as president, including securing they are included,” said Wakshull minimum salaries for full-time FILE PHOTO in a 1992 interview, part of “Our employees, guaranteed salary Voices,” Buffalo State’s oral his- increases, term life insurance, and a stipulation prohibiting unilateral tory project. “You also had a means of getting to the membership.” decisions by SUNY presidents. Wakshull, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, was “He was one of our union’s founding fathers and he set us on the on UUP’s first Executive Board and served as vice president for aca- path to become the nation’s largest and most powerful higher edu- demics in 1974. He also helped form the State University Federation cation union,” said UUP President Fred Kowal. “We owe him a huge of Teachers, which represented academics on five SUNY campuses debt of gratitude for his service. He will be missed.” from 1968-1970, when it lost an election to the Senate Professional “Everybody needs a union, and one of the biggest problems today Association to be SUNY’s primary bargaining representative. is that unions are losing membership,” Wakshull said in a 2013 inter- Joining a union “was a new concept for the people we were trying view with The Voice. “We need to educate our members and the to organize, and many had never been approached to form a union,” community about unions, to talk about what unionism really means. Wakshull said. “Many faculty members figured that unions were for Otherwise, everyone is going to suffer.” electricians, plumbers or people who built cars.” Wakshull spent nearly 30 years at Buffalo State, teaching in the GROWING THE UNION exceptional education department. He retired in 1991. Wakshull’s goal was to build UUP’s membership, and it was one of Read Wakshull’s obituary in the Buffalo News at his greatest successes as UUP president. Spurred by the union’s http://bit.ly/2D481g6 and view UUP’s video at http://bit.ly/2B1DHBx

AMONG THE UUP DELEGATES SHOWN ARE: PAUL GRIFFEN AND TOM MATTHEWS, BOTH OF GENESEO; RITA PICCOLO OF BUFFALO HSC; AND ORA JAMES BOUEY, ED HINES, MICHAEL SILVERBERG, ED ALLEYNE, ED DRUMMOND, AND JULITTA JO, ALL OF STONY BROOK HSC.

FILE PHOTO

Empire State; Raymond Jesaitis, Stony • achieved permanent appointment status • compelled the SUNY Board of Trustees Brook; and Thomas Hines, Farmingdale. for professionals, negotiated five days fam- to overturn its policy that barred women With their leaders in place, UUP members ily sick leave, and established minimum from working once they became pregnant. set their sights on improving terms and salaries for full-time employees; The union won language stating pregnant conditions of employment. UUP members: • staged its first informational picket women can work as long as they are • secured their first contract in June 1974 in 1976 to protest proposed budget cuts physically able. that included across-the-board salary to SUNY; Watch for upcoming issues of The Echo hikes of 4¾ percent, and 1¼ percent in • secured the first benefits package for and The Voice for more on the history merit pay; part-time employees in 1978-1979; and of UUP.

VOL. 4, NO. 3 THE ECHO 7 Check Out Your ‘Members Only’ Negotiations Web Portal for the most up-to-date information on UUP’s contract talks with the state

It’s Easy and Available NOW!

From the UUP home page at www.uupinfo.org (look for the box, near top right)

or by direct link at http://uupinfo.org/negotiations/index.php

Total Gross Fed Taxable Gross Thomas P. DiNapoli Current New York State Comptroller JOHN DOE 3456.78 1234.56 YTD 45,678.90 34,567.89

Advice # 123456789 Pay Start Date 09/10/2016 Advice Date 09/10/2013 Pay End Date 09/24/2016 Net Pay 1,357.90

Department ID 98765 NYS EMPLID N12345678 Pay Rate 67,890.11 Current YTD EARNINGS TAX DATA Hrs./Days Earnings Hrs./Days Earnings Federal State NYC Yonkers

Regular Pay Salary Employee 3456.78 45,678.90 Marital Status 4 4 Location Pay 56.78 678.90 Allowances 2 0 Add. Amt.

TAXES Current YTD

Fed Withholding 3,456.78 1,234.56 Medicare 45,678.90 34,567.89 Social Security 3,456.78 1,234.56 NY Withholding 45,678.90 34,567.89

BEFORE TAX DEDUCTIONS Current YTD AFTER TAX DEDUCTIONS Current YTD Regular Before Tax Health 456.78 1,234.56 Supplemental Ret. Annually Prog. 678.90 5,678.90 UUP Member 26P TIAA Retirement Before Tax 56.78 1,234.56 34.56 456.78

The Members-Only site is password-protected. To access the site, use the last five digits of your employee ID as your unique password to enter the site. Your employee ID can be found in the center of your pay stub, listed as NYS EMPLID.

THE ECHO VOL. 4, NO. 3 8 Negotiations update

Union, state continueare encouraged to bargain to visit the union’s for Mem- a successoroffice doors, bulletin boards contract or car BY KAREN L. MATTISON bers Only web portal at windows, and ask family and friends to put UP and state negotiators met http://bit.ly/2cBv57P bumper stickers on their cars, too; and discussed bargaining prior- • Wear Fair Contract buttons or stickers ities in December, and have STAY STRONG while at work; scheduled additional meetings Members are urged to do their part to • Get a “United for a Fair Contract” into the new year. advocate for a fair and equitable contract. sign, button or decal from their chapter And UUP’s statewide officers have been “We must remain united in our resolve,” offices; and making their way to every chapter to up- Kowal said. “UUP is stronger when we • Attend UUP chapter meetings to discuss Udate members on contract talks and to let stand as one. Together, the 42,000 active the contract and other union issues. them know the challenges their Negotia- and retiree members of UUP are a force to tions Team faces at the table. be reckoned with.” SIGN UP TO HAVE A SAY There remains “critical disagreement” Once the union and state agree on a ten- over key provisions of any new agreement, LETITBEKNOWN tative bargaining agreement, UUP mem- including compensation, health benefits, Ongoing visible support for the union’s bers must vote to ratify it. job security and family leave benefits, said Negotiations Team is especially important Bargaining unit members are encouraged UUP President Fred Kowal. at the campus level. Actions like petitions to check their pay stubs to make sure they “Our members are aware that their union in support of a fair contract ongoing at a are union members and not agency fee negotiators could already have reached a number of campuses, and the recent infor- payers; only members are eligible to vote tentative agreement with the state—but mational rallies at the Farmingdale, New on a new contract. Members whose pay they also know it wouldn’t be an agreement Paltz and Albany chapters, are crucial stubs say “UUP Agency Fee” can sign up our members would want,” Kowal added. to the union’s collective success. to be a member from the UUP website at For more detailed information about Members are also encouraged to: http://bit.ly/1RYG65y or can request an what’s happening at the table, members • Post a Fair Contract sign on their application from chapter offices or UUP

In the news COMPILED BY MICHAEL LISI In The News is a compilation of media in the last two months Nov. 21: The endless war (radio, television and papers across the state) featuring UUP. WAMC Public Radio (Albany) Commentary by Kowal on why the U.S. should end its involvement Dec. 18: Johnson brings new energy to SUNY’s challenges in the war in Afghanistan. Politico NY UUP President Fred Kowal is quoted in a profile on new SUNY Nov. 16: Statement from UUP President Frederick E. Kowal Chancellor Kristina Johnson. on the House tax plan Dec. 12: UUP mourns passing of former president Wakshull UUP media release UUP website President Kowal criticizes the Republican-backed tax reorganization Sam Wakshull, UUP’s second president and a founding member of plan approved by the House. the union, passed away Dec. 12. Nov. 16: SUNY employees rally for new contract Dec. 11: UUP president honored with Kate Mullany Medal Politico NY, Albany UUP media release More than 100 Albany Chapter members held a rally at UAlbany Kowal is the recipient of the American Labor Studies Center’s Kate urging the state to agree to a new contract with UUP. The union’s Mullany Medal, given annually to New York leaders in labor, politics contract with the state expired in July 2016. and their communities.

Dec. 5: Kowal, Weingarten hammer Higher Education Act Nov. 16: Nearly 100 march for contract settlement at SUNY reauthorization plan New Paltz UUP website Times Herald-Record, Middletown Kowal and AFT President Randi Weingarten blast a plan by House Dozens of New Paltz Chapter members rallied to push the state to Republicans to overhaul and reauthorize the Higher Education Act. come to agreement on a new contract with UUP.

VOL. 4, NO. 3 THE ECHO 9 What Do You Do When They Come For You? KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Disciplinary Rights: Article 19 of the UUP Contract Applies to all unit members holding term, permanent or continuing appointment. The first step unit members should take with any disciplinary action is to contact their UUP chapter leadership, who will contact the chapter labor relations specialist. Please review Article 19 of the UUP contract for additional disciplinary and other rights that you have: http://uupinfo.org/negotiations/contract.php

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Interrogation Rights 1) You can only be suspended or reassigned if your If you believe that you are the target of disciplinary continued presence at work represents a danger to persons or property or would severely interrupt action during an investigative interview, ask for a operations. In such case, a written Notice of Discipline representative and invoke the following rights: (NOD) must be served to you no later than five days 1) You should ask the subject matter before after suspension or reassignment; or questioning, and have the ability to confer 2) You can be suspended or reassigned if you have been with your representative privately before charged with the commission of a crime. The NOD questioning begins; must be served to you within contractual timelines 2) To have your representative present during (Article 19.7 (a)(2)). the interview to provide assistance; and 3) To offer statements or evidence to prove Disciplinary Rights or support your version of the incident. If you are being disciplined, you have the right to request representation, and: Note: Refusal to answer questions before asserting your 1) Details of charges against you must be outlined in rights to a representative could result in discipline a written NOD; for insubordination. Speak to a UUP chapter 2) You must be served a copy of the NOD by certified representative for details. mail or personal service; and

Suspension or Reassignment Rights 3) You have 10 working days to file a disciplinary grievance to challenge the charges outlined in the NOD. If you are about to be suspended without pay or temporarily reassigned, request a UUP representative Note: Additional information may be obtained from your be present, and be aware of the following rights: UUP chapter representative.

THE ECHO VOL. 4, NO. 3 10 Snapshots from the chapters

BELOW, FROM LEFT , NEW PALTZ CHAPTER PRESIDENT BETH E. WILSON, VP FOR ACADEMICS GOWRI PARAMESWARAN AND OFFICER FOR CONTINGENTS FAHEEM HAIDER POSE FOR A SHOT DURING A NOV. 29 CHAPTER DEBRIEFING FOLLOWING A NYSUT ONE-TO-ONE MEMBERSHIP TRAINING SESSION .

UNKEL

RIMARCHI

OBERT

Binghamton Chapter

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ABOVE, ONEONTA UUPERS DONATED NONPERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT’S “FILL A POLICE CAR Upstate Medical University Chapter WITH FOOD” CAMPAIGN TO ASSIST LOCAL FOOD BANKS. MICHELLE HENDLEY, DOROTHY ROMBO, KASEY HEISER (SECOND FROM RIGHT), AND CYNTHIA KLINK (SECOND FROM LEFT), TRANSPORTED THE ITEMS COLLECTED TO THEIR UPD COLLEAGUES, NOV. 17.

VOL. 4, NO. 3 THE ECHO 11 Member Spotlight COMPILED BY AMY SHELDON

UUPighteen members UUP members received earn SUNYCharles excellence Francis awards Maria Randazzo-Davis SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Hertrick is a lecturer in is a business management Excellence in Adjunct in Teach- philosophy at SUNY Gene- adjunct associate professor ing. The award recognizes seo. He teaches humani- at SUNY Farmingdale. She superior professional achievement and en- ties, with special focus on joined the School of Busi- courages the ongoing pursuit of excellence. the study of the great RANDAZZO-DAVIS ness in 1999 and has 20 HERTRICK William Bernhard is a books of the canon. years of experience in local industry, having E lecturer of mathematics at Elizabeth Hogan has held the positions of director of marketing Stony Brook University. been affiliated with SUNY for Suffolk County at SMR Management His interests are in mathe- ESF in various capacities Corp. and account executive at 21st Century matics education, and he since 2004, as a visiting Marketing. is principal of P.J. Gelinas instructor and as a lecturer Laura-Jean Schwartau BERNHARD Junior High School in teaching in the writing is an adjunct lecturer of HOGAN Setauket, N.Y program in the department theatre at SUNY Plattsburgh. Abigail Brannen- of environmental studies. Hogan has also She is a specialist in move- Wilson has been an been involved in a learning community ment studies, and has adjunct professor in SUNY initiative and worked with teachers in the directed and/or choreo- SCHWARTAU Delhi’s Liberal Arts and Sci- ESF in the High School Program. graphed college shows, in- ences and Veterinary and Jennifer Mignano- cluding Oklahoma, Guys and Dolls, Chicago Applied Sciences schools BRANNEN-WILSON Brady is an assistant and Anything Goes. for the last six years. She professor in arts and Zerksis Umrigar is also the director of the Center for sciences at SUNY Farming- is a lecturer in computer Faculty Excellence and Innovation at Delhi. dale, specializing in writing. science at Binghamton Uni- Helen Cheves is an She received her B.A. in versity. His research inter- MIGNANO-BRADY adjunct faculty member at journalism from Iona ests include automating SUNY Brockport. She com- College and an M.S. in education and Eng- courseware development, UMRIGAR pleted her B.S. in education lish from Mercy College. She is also an programming languages at SUNY Oswego and her accomplished documentary photographer. and systems programming. M.A. in communication at Margot Whittemore Ragnhild Utheim is an CHEVES Brockport. Over the last 12 Palermo is currently an assistant professor of liberal years, she has taught at the secondary and instructor in management studies at SUNY Purchase. post-secondary levels. at Stony Brook University, Her research interests William Dodge is an teaching introduction to include the anthropology of adjunct assistant professor business and business mass incarceration, youth in the visual communica- ethics. She is also director PALERMO justice and prison studies, UTHEIM tions department at SUNY of the business honor’s program. education anthropology, globalization and Farmingdale. He received Preeti Ashit Parikh is social inequality, race and ethnicity, and his B.A. in art from CUNY a mathematics instructor gender and sexuality. DODGE Queens College and an at SUNY Maritime. She Maria Del Rocio M.A. in art from Long Island University. He has integrated technology Vallejo-Alegre is a also completed graduate credits in art edu- from graphing calculators lecturer of Spanish at cation from CUNY’s Queens College. to industry-specific SUNY Geneseo. She has PARIKH John Fletcher has software into her classes been on the faculty since to better prepare students to enter the 2008 and received the taught physical fitness, VALLEJO-ALEGRE martial arts, self-defense workforce. 2011 Joseph M. O’Brien and wellness courses at Lenka Pichlíková is a Award for Excellence in Part-Time Teaching. Binghamton University lecturer in theatre and per- Lori Ann Woods is a lec- since 1993. He holds a formance at SUNY Purchase. turer in the writing program FLETCHER second-degree black belt She is an actress, director, at Buffalo State. During her in the Korean martial art of tae kwon do. author and teacher with time there, she has taken on In addition to teaching, Fletcher is a faculty three decades of interna- a prominent role in several PICHLíKOVÁ fellow for the university’s Newing College tional experience in film, of the college’s co-curricular WOODS residential community. television and stage productions. learning activities, including

THE ECHO VOL. 4, NO. 3 12 collaborating with the college’s Educational Morrisville Andrew Koenig, assistant dean for projects and Stephen Hinkle, professor, director of theatre and planning, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Opportunity Program and the English as a music, School of Liberal Arts Sciences second language program, serving as a Plattsburgh Jennifer Rosenberg, associate dean for admissions, tutor and training upper-class students to Michael Morales, associate professor and co-chair, enrollment planning and advising, School of serve as peer tutors and mentors. psychology; interim director, Center for Neuro- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Jo Yudess is a lecturer behavioral Health Delhi in the Center for Studies in Potsdam Karen Gabriel, nurse practitioner and assistant Lonel Woods, associate professor, voice; co-chair director of student health services Creativity at Buffalo State. of music Downstate Medical Center She applies the concepts Stony Brook University Marcel Kennedy, assistant dean for administration, and techniques of her Paul Fisher, professor and vice-chairman, pharmaco- College of Nursing primary discipline, creativ- logical sciences Fredonia YUDESS ity, to also teach in the Bonita London-Thompson, associate professor, T. John McCune. director, technology support business, computer information systems social and health psychology services Laszlo Mihaly, chair, physics and astronomy and first-year programs departments, Geneseo Wendy Tang, associate professor and associate Daniel Ray Nguyen Jacques, prep room and stock- where she works with both undergraduate chair, electrical and computer engineering room supervisor, chemistry and graduate students across an array Laura Michelle Swanson, staff counselor, Lauderdale of disciplines. Center for Student Health and Counseling Librarianship Albany Morrisville OTHER AWARDEES Mark Wolfe, curator of digital collections, associate Seth Carsten, instructional support assistant, School UUP members who received the Chancel- librarian of Agriculture and Natural Resources lors Award for Excellence in Faculty Serv- Binghamton Optometry ice, Librarianship, Professional Service, Caryl Ward, head of acquisitions and subject librar- Gaea Austin, environmental health & safety officer, management services Scholarship and Creative Activities, and ian for comparative literature, romance languages Teaching are listed below: Brockport Oswego Charlie Cowling, associate librarian Christy Huynh, career coach for exploratory and undeclared students; undeclared advisement Fredonia coordinator Faculty Service Scott Richmond, coordinator of instructional Albany initiatives Plattsburgh Anne Hildreth, associate professor and associate Denise Philo, college registrar Morrisville dean for undergraduate education, political science Angela Rhodes, associate librarian, systems and SUNY Polytechnic Christine Wagner, professor of psychology and electronic reserves Brian Keith Taylor, manager of engineering support director of the behavioral neuroscience program services Plattsburgh University at Buffalo Joshua Beatty, liaison for anthropology, art, history Potsdam Albert Titus, professor and chair, biomedical and political science Romeyn Prescott, director of academic computing, engineering Computing and Technology Services Buffalo State Purchase M. Scott Goodman, chair and professor, chemistry Professional Service Christopher Bisignano, director of athletics Albany Lorraine Miller, office manager and administrative Cobleskill Meghan Cook, program director, Center for Tech- assistant, School of Film and Media Studies Kathy Johnson, associate professor, English nology in Government Cortland Joyce DeWitt-Parker, licensed psychology, Counsel- Stony Brook University Lynn Couturier MacDonald, professor, physical ed ing Center Elizabeth Gasparino, assistant to the director, C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics-State Elizabeth Gaffney, assistant dean for facilities Delhi management Kenneth Gladky, director of operations, visualization Terry Hamblin, professor, liberal arts and sciences lab IT manager, computer science Binghamton Downstate Medical Center Vanessa Young, senior academic counselor, EOP Karen Kernan, director, undergraduate research Ronnie Lichtman, professor and chair, midwifery and creative activities program Brockport Anthony Olivo Jr., senior technician, electrical and Karen Logsdon, assistant to the vice president, Empire State College computer engineering enrollment management and student affairs Thalia MacMillan, mentor Darlene Prowse, assistant to the chair, Asian and Audeliz Matias, mentor Kim Myers, scholarly communications coordinator, Asian American studies library, information & technology services Environmental Science and Forestry Chandrani Roy, assistant to the chair, materials Christopher Nowak, professor, forest and natural University at Buffalo science and engineering resource management Gwen Appelbaum, assistant dean and director, Toni Sperzel, assistant dean, graduate school; career resource center, School of Management director, Center for Inclusive Education Farmingdale Laura Barnum, associate vice president, resource Susan Barrett Landau, assistant professor, nursing Robert Watson, assistant professor, pharmacological planning sciences Fredonia Oscar Budde, associate vice provost, immigration Cheryl Drout, professor, psychology services Upstate Medical University Sharon Huard, associate dean for student and Geneseo Katharine Darling, assistant dean for academic multicultural affairs Jennifer Katz, professor, psychology services, office of the Graduate School Christa Greenberg, coordinator of undergraduate System Administration Maritime studies, psychology Sara Saplin, special events and services Richard Burke, professor, engineering Joseph Helfer, staff associate, biological sciences see AWARDEES, page 14

VOL. 4, NO. 3 THE ECHO 13 Potsdam Downstate Medical Center Glenn Johnson, professor, biology Daniel Ehlke, assistant professor, health policy and WARDEES management (continuedA from page 13) Purchase Stephen Cooke, associate professor, chemistry Environmental Science and Forestry Scholarship and Creative Activities René Germain, professor, forest and natural resource Stony Brook University Albany management Dmitri Kharzeev, professor, physics; director, Sheila Curran Bernard, associate professor, history; Center for Quantum Materials director, graduate program in public history Farmingdale Ute Moll, professor, vice chair, experimental Sarah Gross, chair, biology Alexander Shekhtman, professor, chemistry pathology Janet Gruber, professor, dental hygiene Ben Szaro, professor, biological sciences Arthur Hoskey, assistant professor, computer systems Binghamton Teaching Wayne Jones Jr., professor, inorganic and materials Fredonia Albany chemistry Steven Fabian, associate professor, history Kelly Wissman, associate professor, literacy teaching Mark Poliks, research professor, chemistry and and learning Geneseo materials science, engineering Harry Howe, professor, accounting Alfred Karin Sauer, professor, biological sciences Timothy Piotrowski, associate professor, civil Maritime Brockport engineering technology Elissa Anne De Falco, associate professor, humanities Christopher Norment, professor and chair, environmental science and ecology Binghamton Morrisville Orly Shoer, lecturer, Judaic studies Kelly Hennigan, associate professor, department University at Buffalo Sarah Thompson, lecturer, health and wellness chair, School of Agriculture, Sustainability, Business Michel Bruneau, professor, civil, structural and studies and Entrepreneurship environmental engineering Nancy Tittler, senior instructor, director of under- Anthony Campagnari, professor, microbiology, New Paltz graduate studies, Russian immunology and medicine Susan Ingalls Lewis, associate professor, history Erin Washburn, assistant professor, teaching, Gregory Fabiano, professor and associate dean Cyrus Mulready, associate professor, graduate learning and educational leadership for interdisciplinary research, counseling, school director, English and educational psychology Wei Xiao, professor, director of undergraduate studies, economics Oneonta Jinhui Xu, professor, computer science and George Hovis, professor, English engineering Brockport Alexander Lyon, associate professor, communication Optometry Buffalo State Steven Schwartz, professor, biological and vision Jessica Sniatecki, associate professor, health care David Kukulka, professor, engineering technology sciences studies Thomas Weinberg, professor, sociology Jie Zhang, associate professor, education and human Plattsburgh Cobleskill development Julia Davis, associate professor, chair, counselor Leigh Ann Christain, associate professor of education University at Buffalo composition and ESOL, liberal studies Kirsten Isgro, associate professor, communication Amy Graves Monroe, associate professor, Roman studies Delhi languages and literatures Kirsty Digger, professor, nursing William Allan Prescott Jr., clinical associate professor, SUNY Polytechnic Farmingdale interim chair, pharmacy practice Christopher Urban, chair, computer and information Thomas Germano, professor, visual communications science Canton Maritime Melissa Lee, assistant professor, English Potsdam Daniel Fridline, professor, engineering Mark Hartman, professor, Crane School of Music Cobleskill New Paltz Lynda McMaster-Schuyler, professor, natural sciences Purchase Glenn Geher, professor, psychology and math Jordan Schildcrout, associate professor, theatre and performance Oneonta Cortland Toke Knudsen, associate professor, mathematics Theresa Curtis, professor, biological sciences Stony Brook University Caroline Kaltefleiter, professor, communication Monica Bugallo, associate professor, electrical Plattsburgh studies and computer engineering Kathleen Lavoie, professor, biological science Delhi Upstate Medical University SUNY Polytechnic Dana Santos, assistant professor, liberal arts Jennifer Moffat, associate professor, microbiology James Castracane, professor, nanobioscience and sciences and immunology constellation

The Chancellor's Awards for Excellence are system-level honors conferred to acknowledge and provide systemwide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement and to encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence. These programs underscore SUNY’s commitment to sustaining intellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, providing the highest quality of instruction, and serving the public good. Through these awards, SUNY publicly proclaims its pride in the accomplishment and personal dedication of its instructional faculty, librarians and professional staff across its campuses.

THE ECHO VOL. 4, NO. 3 14 Contingent Academic Employees: Take Your Survey! http://bit.ly/2xlVwcI

AYour new 65-question Opinion survey seeks Counts! information on the It should take about 20-30 minutes to complete. experiences and working conditions of SUNY’s part- Survey results will be used for future initiatives time and full-time contingent academic employees. and reports on how to best support and improve The survey was written and is being conditions for contingent academics. distributed by the union’s Contingent The survey isn’t formatted for mobile devices, Employment Committee to gather detailed but smartphones can be used to take and information about hiring, workload, working submit the survey. Hard copies of the survey conditions, compensation and other aspects are also available from UUP; contact VPA of working as a SUNY contingent employee. Jamie Dangler at (800) 342-4206 for details.

VOL. 4, NO. 3 THE ECHO 15 Labor notes

Kowal receives Mullany Medal for higher ed unionism BY DARRYL MCGRATH

orming a union has often been a quick way to get fired throughout the history of the labor movement in the United States. In the 19th century, it was also a quick way to get killed. At a time when employers routinely hired strike-breaking thugs and private security Fguards who thought nothing of firing guns into a crowd of women and children, the young Troy labor activist Kate Mullany almost certainly understood the risks involved when she founded the Troy Collar Laundry Union in 1864. Then, she went a step farther, and led her all-women union on a successful strike for higher wages—an example of courage DARRYL MCGRATH that stands as a lesson and an inspiration UUP PRESIDENT FRED KOWAL ACCEPTS THE MULLANY MEDAL IN A DEC. 11 CEREMONY. LOOKING for the modern labor movement. ON IS PAUL COLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN LABOR STUDIES CENTER IN TROY. UUP President Fred Kowal touched on the debt that today’s unionists owe to such pio- neers in his remarks Dec. 11 as he accepted The Latham-based center is affiliated with executive director, cited Kowal’s leadership the Kate Mullany Medal from the American the family home of Mullany, now a National in heading the country’s largest higher Labor Studies Center. More than 100 of the Historic Site in Troy, N.Y. The award recog- education union as he presented the medal Capital Region’s labor, business and political nizes significant contributions for social to him. leaders attended the ceremony at NYSUT good by leaders in labor, politics and com- In turn, Kowal acknowledged the leader- headquarters in Latham. munity organizations. Paul Cole, the center’s ship of those who paved the way.

Report: Communities Trump sides with plaintiffs in Janus benefit from unions In a disappointing move, the Trump administration has filed A new report from the an amicus brief supporting the plaintiffs in their corporate- AFT—in conjunction with the backed Supreme Court case, Janus v. AFSCME Council 31. American Federation of State, “Trump may have campaigned as a populist, but he's gov- County and Municipal Employees, erning as an elitist, using the levers of government to turn Service Employees International the screws even tighter against families and the middle Union, and the NEA—looks at class,” AFT President Randi Weingarten said as part of a joint numerous case studies where release with the American Federation of unionists have used their right to State, County and Municipal Employees, organize and their collective voice the National Education Association and to fight for improvements that benefit working families in the Service Employees International communities across the country. Union. “Put simply: When unions are strong, communities are This case is “an all-out war stronger,” according to the report. “From helping hospitals against the freedom of work- and airports prepare to respond to the Ebola virus to helping ing people to join together high school students start careers in nursing, labor unions ... But we will not be and their members are helping communities prosper.” cowed—we will stick to- Case studies in the report include: using collective bargain- gether to fend off this legal attack and stand firm in our fight ing to bring back jobs and services; winning sick leave for all to build a fair economy that works for all Americans, not just workers; and fighting for racial justice in union contracts. the wealthy few.” Read the full report at http://bit.ly/2ANqxZ7 Read the full report at http://bit.ly/2kET77I

THE ECHO VOL. 4, NO. 3 16 Did you

“We need to think about our move- Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 83. know? In 2016: ment’s roots, and those who came before Both unions worked with Titan Roofing UNION PROUD — Public-sector us,” he said. “They faced great violence on the restoration. AFT Local 2190 workers had a union and terror, and because they did, it is Kate Mullany was a young Irish immi- membership rate nowhere near as bad for us who inherit grant who co-founded the Troy Collar (34.4 percent) more than that legacy. As much as we may have Laundry Union, the first women’s union in five times higher than that of private- to still fight for the right of unions to the United States. She was later the first sector workers (6.4 percent). survive, we also remember those who woman to hold office in a national union, came before us, we bear witness to their the National Labor Congress. Mullany is — New York state continues to have the highest union membership rate at 23.6 struggle, and we must continue to make remembered for successfully leading a percent. The U.S. average is 10.7 percent. progress.” strike for higher wages shortly after the union formed. — Workers in education, training and A HEROIC LEGACY The nonprofit American Labor Studies library occupations and in protective Mullany’s legacy honored four other Center was founded by Cole, a well- service occupations had the highest recipients of the medal at Monday’s known New York labor leader and unionization rates (34.6 percent and 34.5 ceremony, including U.S. Sen. Kirsten secretary-treasurer emeritus of the New percent, respectively). Gillibrand, who was unable to attend York State AFL-CIO. NYSUT Second VP — Median weekly earnings of nonunion but who sent a letter of thanks that com- Paul Pecorale chairs the center, and workers ($802) were 80 percent of earn- memorated Mullany. former UUP president Bill Scheuerman ings for workers who were union mem- The other recipients were Alisa Cahill is treasurer. bers ($1,004). Henderson, president of Duncan & Cahill, The Kate Mullany House is located at the Troy-based construction company 350 8th St. in Troy. It was declared a — Men continued to have a slightly that restored the Kate Mullany House; National Historic Landmark in 1998, and a higher union membership rate (11.2 per- Fred Pazmino, president of Titan Roofing National Historic Site in 2004. The Ameri- cent) than women (10.2 percent). Inc., which installed a new roof on the can Labor Studies Center will be located Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, structure; Michael Rossi, business man- at the Mullany House; the center is funded Spotlight on Statistics, January 2017 ager for Roofers Local 241; and the by contributions and government grants.

UUP, SEFA again join forces to benefit scholarship fund ew York state public employees are able to use the State Employees Federated Appeal program to donate to the UUP College Scholarship Fund. The SEFA campaign solicits charitable donations from state Charity #50-00478 Nworkers through payroll deduction. To make a donation, state employees must enter Charity #50-00478 on the authorization card enclosed in their paychecks. SEFA contributions will be accepted through Dec. 31. “SEFA is a great way to invite others to help us grow our scholarship fund and to help our outstanding SUNY students get the college education they deserve,” said UUP statewide Secretary/Treasurer Jeri O’Bryan-Losee. This is the third year state employees are able to donate through SEFA. Last year, nearly $3,000 was raised through SEFA/United Way donations.

VOL. 4, NO. 3 THE ECHO 17 Candidate statements due March 9

UUPBY KAREN L. M ATTISONto elect officers, Executive• Send statements Board and photos members to the attention of UUP Director of Communications Michael Lisi. elegates to the 2018 Spring Delegate Assembly Statements must be received at the UUP Administrative Office, will elect two statewide officers and six Executive P.O. Box 15143, Albany, N.Y. 12212, by 5 p.m. Friday, March 9. Board members. The Spring DA will be held May 4-5 Email versions may be sent to Lisi at [email protected] in Albany. (CC to [email protected]). Delegates will cast their ballots to elect a vice president for • Statements will be published by order of election and in professionals and a vice president for academics. All statewide alphabetical order in even-numbered years and reverse alpha- terms are for three years. betical order in odd-numbered years. DIf the membership ratio of academics to professionals remains • Candidates are urged to submit statements and photos the same as the present ratio, of the eight people to be elected, by email (or on a thumb drive with a printed copy). four must be academics and four must be professionals. If the Note: UUP policy prohibits the use of UUP or state equipment ratio changes, elections will be adjusted accordingly. or resources (including email) to produce or distribute campaign In accordance with DA policy, candidates running for statewide material for UUP elections. elective positions may have statements printed in The Voice, which is mailed to all bargaining unit members. Statements will be published in the April 2018 issue of The The following provisions apply: Voice and online at www.uupinfo.org • Candidates may submit a statement of up to 500 words Copies of the policy on the distribution of campaign material and a photo for publication. If a candidate submits a lengthier can be found on page 21. They may also be obtained at chapter statement, it will be set in smaller type to give all candidates offices or by contacting Secretary/Treasurer Jeri O’Bryan-Losee equal space. at [email protected] or at (800) 342-4206.

Statewide Elections for Ofﬁcers and/or Executive Board Request for Labels

Print Name l Academic l Professional Phone Number Email Address

Address (Include Street, City, State, Zip)

I am a candidate for Date Requested

Indicate the categories of eligible Delegates for labels. (Check All Boxes That Apply) All Professional Elected Delegates, including Contingents, l All Elected Delegates, including Contingents, (Regular and l Retired) (Regular and Retired) Regular Professional Elected Delegates, including l Regular Elected Delegates, including Contingents, Only l (Academic and Professional) Contingents, Only Retired Professional Elected Delegates, including l Retired Elected Delegates, including Contingents, Only l (Academic and Professional) Contingents, Only Contingents Only (Professional) l Contingents Only (Academic and Professional) l l All Academic Elected Delegates, including Contingents, (Regular and Retired) l Regular Academic Elected Delegates, including Contingents, Only l Retired Academic Elected Delegates, including Contingents, Only l Contingents Only (Academic) I certify that I have read, understand, and agree to the provisions of UUP Policies and Procedures for Distributing Campaign Literature in UUP Elections. I request labels in accordance with UUP Policies and Procedures. I understand that each set of labels of names and home addresses, provided by UUP, is limited to use in a UUP election.

Print Name Signature Date Please FAX or MAIL this request to UUP Req. for Labels Rev. 10262012 Fax Number: 1-866-812-9446 PO Box 15143, Albany, New York 12212-5143

THE ECHO VOL. 4, NO. 3 18 UUP Policies and Procedures for Distributing Campaign Literature o provide equal and uniform access to all candidates for the distribution of campaign literature, UUP will include the following policies and procedures in the conduct of its elections. These policies and procedures provide Tequal and uniform access to all candidates for the distribution of campaign literature. Equally important, they ensure members’ privacy and fulfill UUP’s obligation to conduct fair and honest elections. All duly declared candidates shall have equal access to appropriate membership information, to mailing privileges and to publications of UUP in accordance with of eligible members, including contin- • Retired Professional Elected Delegates, procedures issued by the UUP Constitution gents, they wish to receive their mailings. including Contingents Only and Governance Committee (formerly the Executive Board: UUP will not be involved in any other Elections and Credentials Committee). • All Elected Delegates, including Contin- distribution of campaign literature for Duly declared candidates may request gents, (Regular and Retired) candidates, except for official publications mailing labels of members’ last known • Regular Elected Delegates, including that provide for candidate statements home addresses for dis- on an equal and tribution of campaign uniform basis. literature. Candidates All duly declared candidates shall have UUP and NYSUT shall sign a statement provide a variety of governing the use of equal access to appropriate membership information, lists and labels of mailing labels and limit- members’ home ad- ing their use to UUP to mailing privileges and to publications of UUP dresses necessary for elections. Such signed in accordance with procedures issued by the UUP to conduct its statements shall be sub- programs and busi- mitted to the Office of UUP Constitution and Governance Committee. ness. Candidates may the Secretary/Treasurer not access or use of UUP, which shall these in the distribu- check eligibility and the parameters of the Contingents Only (Academic and tion of campaign literature, except for the mailing labels. All declared candidates may Professional) printed list available in the Chapter office obtain mailing labels by contacting the UUP • Retired Elected Delegates, including provided by the Constitution and Gover- Secretary/Treasurer’s Office in writing (or Contingents Only (Academic and nance Committee and/or the Leadership by email). Professional) Directory. Such requests must specify the cate- • All Academic Elected Delegates, includ- In election years, UUP will publish these gory(ies) of eligible members for whom ing Contingents, (Regular and Retired) policies and procedures in The Voice and they wish labels. • Regular Academic Elected Delegates, post them on the UUP website prior to the Candidates will cover the cost of labels including Contingents Only beginning of the election cycle. A copy will and mailing. Mailing labels will include only • Retired Academic Elected Delegates be in each Chapter Office and upon re- UUP members, including Contingents, Only quest to the UUP Secretary/Treasurer. Regular (Active) and Retired in good stand- • All Professional Elected Delegates, The UUP Secretary/Treasurer and the ing as of the certification date for eligibility including Contingents, (Regular and Constitution and Governance Committee to participate in a given election. Retired) will be responsible for implementing these Candidates must specify in their formal • Regular Professional Elected Delegates, policies and procedures. Questions should requests which of the following categories including Contingents Only be directed to the UUP Secretary/Treasurer.

VOL. 4, NO. 3 THE ECHO 19 Union benefits EEE

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THE ECHO VOL. 4, NO. 3 20

November 27, 2017

HHoosospospiospitospitaospitalospital TTrTroTrouTroubTroublTrouble$Troublerouble$ iinn CoConCongCongrCongreCongresCongressCongress:Congress: CCooomommommuommunommuniommunitommunitymmunity HeHeaHealHealtHealthHealth CCeCenCentCenteCenterCentersenters (CHCs, FQHCs, originally begun in 1966, continued in the FQHC legislation, expanded greatly A series of imminent financial calamities (small and large) during the administration of Bush-43, reauthorized in PPACA) confront the hospital industry, in the wake of executive also have no current legislative authorization. attacks on the “Affordable Care Act” and Congressional inaction throughout. The absence of these forms of health insurance and services support – DSH, CHIP and CHC/FQHCs – wwiilillill aaffectafaffaffeaffecffect theththe heheahealhealthealthhealth DDSSHH (Disproportionate Share Hospital) money remains ooff mmimilmillmillimilliomillionmillionsillions, as well as uninsured patients’ use of hospital imperiled. “DSH” is additional money paid to “safety net” emergency rooms and clinics. Failure to secure passage of hospitals, those with high volumes of Medicaid and Medicare CHIP – a “bipartisan” and popular program – will support the patients. hypothesis that nothing can come of this Congress.

DDSSHH wawass to be no longer needed, after passage of the Patient ““TTTaTaxax CCuCutut anandand JoJobJobsJ bs AAcActAct”ct” WiWilWillWill HHiHitit HHoHosHospHospiHospitHospitaHospitalHospitalsHospitals,ospitals, JJoJobJobsobs asas WeWelWellWell Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, the ACA, Obamacare). The theory was that, with all states expanding The “Tax Cut and Jobs Act,” up in the Senate this week, will Medicaid, and the remaining gaps filled with exchange-based hit hospitals hard. health insurance, subsidized premiums, and cost-sharing reductions, there would be no need for DSH. The theory First, and most important, increasing the deficit will trigger began unraveling in part because 13 states refused to take “PAYGO” (pay-as-you go) provisions in 2010 legislation, federal money to expand Medicaid coverage. So the end date requiring reductions in Medicare. The cuts will come either by for DSH was kicked down the road, to FY 2017, then again to increasing the 2% sequestration (hold back of Medicare funds the beginning of FY 2018 (October 1, 2017). The reduction in to hospitals and other providers) to the full 4% allowed by DSH amounts to $2 billion this year, mostly for blue states, PAYGO, or by extending the 2% cut in Medicare provider $360 million of it for New York State safety net hospitals, payments into 2026 and 2027. public and private. The cost of issuing debt for hospital building, equipment and PPACA has been a success where implemented, helping safety refinancing will increase with the tax-exemption of long-term net hospitals eliminate the bad debt that results from care of hospital revenue bonds gone. The bill also kills the “individual the uninsured. For example, bad debt at the three SUNY mandate” which supports insurance in Obamacare exchanges. hospitals in New York has declined by $100 million per year (combined) since its peak in 2012. Still, DSH support for the What to do? Join Randi Weingarten in AFT’s campaign, safety net hospital is important: in 2016 DSH income at https://www.aft.org/column/picking-middle-class-pockets- Downstate in Brooklyn was $148 million, for Stony Brook deliver-donors $116 million and for Upstate $152 million. PPhhhysicianhyhyshysihysichysicihysiciaysician PaymentPaymePaymenPPaPayPaymayment OnOn theththe FrontFrFroFronFront RowRRoow Again:AgAgaAgaiAgainAgain: NeNewNew AcronyAAcAcrAcroAcronAcronymAcronymscronyms CHCHIHIPIP Postponement of the DSH cuts is authorized in the NeedNNeNeeNeedNeedeed ((!(!)!) (P(Pa(Par(Part( art 1 ofof 3)3 renewal legislation for the Children’s Health Insurance Program. (CHIP is a Bill Clinton-era health insurance program How we pay doctors through government programs is a long for roughly 9 million children.) Authorization for CHIP has and unhappy tale. President Johnson’s pledge (to get expired, as well, on September 30, and its renewal will be Medicare passed) to pay physicians their usual and customary part of a December 8 scrum (avoidance of a government fees was a necessary one. Physicians—unless they were “shutdown” which would occur, in the absence of a new among the few employed at that time—could not bargain federal budget, by that date). collectively. Short of bonded indenture, physicians had to be lured into the program. The lure lasted until 1989. See next The House CHIP renewal bill, however, only pushes off DSH week’s edition for the latest! cuts until 2020. Further, the House bill increases the size of a first year DSH cut from $2 billion to $4 billion, and makes the Sponsored by: second year cut $8 billion.

AFT Healthcare, Kelly Trautner, Director, and Many rural and some inner-city hospitals would be out of luck AFT Higher Education, Alyssa Picard, Director without passage of CHIP and the DSH rider. 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Washington DC 20001

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