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

September/October 2016

WWhhoo iiss tthhee bbeesstt cchhooiiccee ffoorr aallll AAmmeerriiccaannss?? —— PPaaggee 4 4 THE Voic e Volume 44, Number 1 The VOICE is the official publication of United

Official Publication of United University Professions The Nation’s Largest Higher Education Union Working For You HAT S INSIDE University Professions (UUP), bargaining agent for September/October 2016 this issue W ’ the more than 35,000 academic and professional

Who is the best choice employees of the State University of . for all Americans? — Page 4 Contact UUP at P.O. Box 15143, Albany, New Cover illustration by York 12212-5143. Telephone (518) 640-6600 or Karen l. M attison 10 UUP seeks comments on flawed toll-free at (800) 342-4206. UUP’s Internet site teacher certification exams is www.uupinfo.org. UUP is Local 2190 of the American Federation of Teachers (AFL-CIO) uuP is asking members to use the union’s new and is affiliated with NYSUT and the National web portal to share their comments, concerns and Education Association. experiences with the new teacher certification exams. A clear choice for president UUP STATEWIDE OFFICERS 4— The Voice explains exactly what’s at stake FREDERICK E. KOWAL this november for working families, public President education, the labor movement and more. Also : also: 3 to the Point: i’m with her! 3— uuP President Fred Kowal explains why Hillary 12 uuP outreach Committee holds retreat Clinton is the only choice for president in this J. PHILIPPE ABRAHAM election. 13 brooklyn consultant called out by comptroller Vice President 5— buffalo Center uuPer Monica Wallace easily 14 Member spotlight: uuPer coaches wounded vets wins Democratic primary for assembly seat, for Professionals thanks to uuP outreach efforts in Western ny. 15 spotlight shines on members 6-7— Check out side-by-side comparisons of 16 Who’s Who: Chapter presidents’ contact info the Democratic and republican candidates JAMIE F. DANGLER 17 labor notes for president. Vice President 8-9— uuP members take part in nysut’s annual 18 save with nysut benefits for Academics endorsement conference; plus the full list of 19 uuP benefits: the union advantage endorsed candidates.

EILEEN LANDY Secretary Follow UUP on Facebook , TwiTTer and ROWENA J. BLACKMAN-STROUD insTagram ! Treasurer

Go to www.UUPinfo.org THOMAS C. HOEY to sign up today. Membership Development Officer

UUP COMMUNICATIONS DEPT. MICHAEL LISI Director of Communications

KAREN L. MATTISON Associate Director of Communications Check out the latest at www.uupinfo.org: DONALD FELDSTEIN — UUPers jeer Trump, stand tall in NYC Labor Day parade; Union strong in upstate parades. Media Relations Specialist http://bit.ly/2cMpvkr and http://bit.ly/2bP9rRT DARRYL M CGRATH Communications Specialist — SUNY’s proposed Patent Policy changes: Since April 2015, UUP has been involved in efforts to address the proposed patent policy changes announced by SUNY just a month before: ANGELL M. VILLAFAÑE http://bit.ly/2d2SO53 Communications Assistant The VOICE is a member of the American Federation — Did you Know?: Funding for NYS/UUP Joint Labor-Management programs is still available: of Teachers Communicators Network and the http://bit.ly/2cyplxf International Labor Communications Association.

THE VOICE SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 2 To the Point

DHeair lcloallearguyes, Clinton is the only choice determination to fight for I want to speak very personally progressive goals. And she about what I believe to be the certainly was a progressive: most important issue facing us Liberal groups rated her work right now. November’s national in the Senate as highly as that election presents us with a rare of Bernie Sanders’ when they opportunity: the chance for a served together. clear and distinct choice between I have had the good fortune of the candidates for the White meeting and discussing higher House and Congress. More education issues with Secretary importantly, we can put in place Clinton, and she’s always dis - a president, a majority in the played a keen interest in the Congress and a Supreme Court details of issues we face. She that affirms the progressive asks for our solutions and how values our union holds dear. they would work. Sure, she’s a I grew up in a union house - policy wonk, but one who is hold, but one that tended to vote passionate about lifting up the Republican. My parents’ Repub - working class. lican leanings brought them to AFT Has she made mistakes? support liberal Republicans— UUP P RESIDENT FRED KOWAL POSES WITH FORMER SECRETARY OF Certainly. And she has, for the senators like Ed Brooke in my STATE , THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT . most part, taken responsibility native Massachusetts, and candi - for them. I respect that. And I dates like Nelson Rockefeller. can accept the fact that she is After Watergate, my parents’ political Children’s Defense Fund, and as first not perfect—far from it. But, can any of allegiances shifted to the Democratic lady, when she led the fight for health us say that our admiration for presidents Party, where they have remained. care reform. As a U.S. senator, she repre - like Franklin Roosevelt or John F. I have no doubt that my late sented New York effectively and with Kennedy wasn’t diminished by what we father would be appalled by Republican distinction. As secretary of state, she now know about their character flaws? presidential nominee Donald Trump. displayed wisdom and strength. Indeed, can you imagine how either And I know my mom is appalled and I know that many of you supported would have fared in today’s media- disgusted by Trump’s campaign and the Sen. Bernie Sanders, and that you may drenched world? tone he has set. His policy prescriptions, disagree with my assessment of Secre - For those inclined to vote for Stein (for such as they are, are revolting to her—as tary Clinton. I understand that some of brevity’s sake and for reasons I hope I they should be to any child of immi - you are considering supporting Green don’t have to get into, I will not address grants, any woman, any person of color, Party candidate Jill Stein. I urge you to those who may favor Trump or Libertar - any environmentalist, any educator, or think deeply about the ramifications of ian Party candidate Gary Johnson) I anyone who lives with hope for a more such a step. I offer you these points. voted my “conscience” and supported peaceful world built on the values of I did not support Hillary Clinton in Citizens Party candidate Barry Com - compassion, love and justice. 2008. I was an early and avid supporter moner in 1980. It felt good. But, I was To say that it’s imperative that Trump of Barack Obama. I worked hard to elect one of only 220,000 people who voted never get anywhere near the White him in 2008 and re-elect him in 2012. for Commoner; there was no lsting House—except as part of a tour group— I’m proud of that work. Even though I impact on our nation by my vote. In is an understatement. Still, I would disagree with him on certain policies, 2000, I almost voted for Ralph Nader. never ask you to vote for a candidate I do not waiver in my position that he Terrified by the prospect of another because the other likely choice is unac - was by far the best candidate in both Bush presidency, I voted for Al Gore. ceptable, though Trump is clearly so. elections. My fears were well-placed. And I wish I ask you to vote for Hillary Clinton I was not quick to support Secretary those Nader voters in Florida had voted because she is by far the most qualified Clinton this time either, and had to be as I did. We all know what occurred candidate, and the most likely to promote sold on her and her policy proposals. in those eight years under “Dubya.” a progressive agenda. She has earned our And I have been. In the years since Indeed, we are all still paying in so support through her long years of service, 2008, I’ve come to respect her strength, many ways. in her years after college working for the her wisdom, and her dogged see TO THE POINT , page 13

SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 THE VOICE 3 Cover story

TBY MhICHAeEL LrISI e’s a lot at stake this November

nions have a lot to lose in the November presidential election. And a lot to gain. It all depends on which candidate— Democrat Hillary Clinton or Republican UDonald Trump—Americans choose to lead the country for the next four years. Unions have already made their choice: they’re with her. From the AFL-CIO, the United Steel - workers, and the Teamsters to AFT, NEA and NYSUT, unions nationwide have come out en masse to back Clinton— much to the chagrin of Trump, who slammed the AFL-CIO for “no longer representing American workers” after the union’s ringing endorsement of Clinton in June. Why is labor behind Hillary? Because she supports the middle class, she believes in public education and she is a friend to working families who will stand up for them once she’s in the White House. She’s pledged to continue Presi - dent Obama’s work to stabilize and grow America’s economy, and she’s a cham - pion for social justice.

Clinton and move America forward.” that Donald Trump is not elected presi - SHapiNg ameriCa ’S fuTure As president, Clinton will make appoint - “(Clinton’s) economic plan puts unions dent,” Kowal said. “I will burn out my ments to the U.S. Supreme Court that will front and center, one of the ways she will phone, wear out the tires on my car, and dramatically reverse the conservative level the playing field for the middle make my voice hoarse getting voters out viewpoint of the nation’s highest court— class,” said AFT President Randi Wein - to stop this abomination.” positive changes that will go far to pre- garten. “She is committed to creating One thing Trump accomplished was empt union-busting lawsuits like Fried- debt-free college for students, extending tapping into what Trumka calls “legiti - richs v. California Teachers Association . access to high-quality health care for all, mate anger and frustration” that many Trump, who has cited ultra-conserva - and lifting children out of poverty. She is middle-class, working families feel tive Justice Clarence Thomas as his ready to assume the solemn responsibility toward politics and politicians. favorite Supreme Court judge, has made of keeping Americans safe from violence “But when you give working-class it clear that the justices he would appoint and terrorism.” people the facts,” Trumka told the Wash - would rival Thomas’ conservatism. The AFT became the first national ington Post in March, “I think (Trump) “Hillary Clinton is a proven leader who union to endorse Clinton when it did so falls apart. He’s a house of cards.” shares our values,” said AFL-CIO Presi - in July 2015. dent Richard Trumka. “Throughout the labor’S NigHTmare campaign, she has demonstrated a strong Kowal’S for CliNToN There has never been a presidential commitment to the issues that matter to In a May speech to delegates, UUP candidate so diametrically opposed to working people, and our members have President Fred Kowal said a Trump presi - the core beliefs and values of unions taken notice. The activism of working peo - dency would be disastrous for unions and and working people than Trump. The self- ple has already been a major force in this working people. proclaimed billionaire—although, unlike election and is now poised to elect Hillary “I will do everything I can to ensure decades of candidates before him, he has

THE VOICE SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 4 staunchly refused to release his tax statements—is blatantly anti-worker uuper seeks assembly seat in thought and deed. He is on record stating that he on public education platform BY DARRYL MCGRATH believes that wages for American workers are too high, he supports to civil society, to decency and to right-to-work laws “100 percent,” the values that underpin our UP member Monica Wallace credits and he’s against raising the mini - country. Frankly, it is perilously an excellent, affordable public edu - mum wage. close to fascism.” cation with helping her achieve a He’s been consistently anti-union very personal version of the Ameri - can dream. That’s why she’s made support for in his dealings with his employees mum oN eduCaTioN over the years, most recently clash - As for education, it’s anyone’s public schools and public higher education a key ing with Trump International Hotel guess what Trump’s position is. Ucomponent of her candidacy for state Assembly. workers who had just unionized. As The Voice went to press, “A SUNY education afforded me the opportu - In July, the National Labor Trump was still without an official nity to go from a very working-class background Relations Board rejected Trump education platform. There is no in a single-parent home to a Ruffin Commercial LLC’s chal - mention—zero—on Trump’s offi - very middle-class life,” said lenge of a December 2015 union cial website regarding education, Wallace, who graduated from election, allowing the Culinary let alone public education— SUNY Binghamton and then Workers Union to unionize the although you will find great detail the University at Buffalo Law hotel’s 500-plus work force. on his plan to get Mexico to pay for School. She is now a lecturer Hundreds of workers rallied at the a wall on its border with the U.S. on the law school faculty. hotel Aug. 26 to press management However, Trump came out Wallace, 48, handily won to begin negotiating a contract. against the idea of debt-free public the Democratic primary for WALLACE higher education at a March the 143rd District—which includes the Buffalo suburbs of Cheektowaga, a deadly CombiNa TioN MSNBC town hall event. In May, In fact, with Indiana Gov. Mike Trump campaign policy advisor Lancaster and Depew—thanks in large part to Pence (a free-trade supporter who Sam Clovis told Inside Higher Ed the efforts of UUP chapter activists at Buffalo opposes increasing the minimum that Trump has discussed overhaul - State and the University at Buffalo. wage) as his running mate, Trump ing the federal student loan system heads one of the nation’s most anti- and making private banks the prime STroNg uNioN baCKiNg worker tickets in history. lender to students. Wallace lives in Lancaster with her husband and “Gov. Pence and Donald Trump Then there’s Trump’s failed two children. She is a former law clerk to U.S. do not share the same values educa - Trump University. New York Attor - District Judge Richard Arcara. She has received tors, students and working families ney General Eric Schneiderman endorsements from NYSUT and a number of want and expect in the White sued Trump for defrauding more other progressive political and labor organiza - House,” said NEA President Lily than 5,000 students out of $40 mil - tions, including CSEA, PEF and the Working Eskelsen García in a July 15 media lion with Trump U, a “sham” Families Party. release. “Trump’s choice of Gov. school that was unlicensed and “UUP and NYSUT seek to work with members Pence is further evidence that he is non-accredited. of the Legislature on both sides of the aisle who temperamentally unfit to make the On Aug. 30, a U.S. District judge support public education, and it’s great to see right choices and tough decisions to in San Diego rejected Trump’s someone so familiar with UUP’s issues make this run America.” latest bid to throw out lawsuits filed a major part of her campaign platform,” UUP Weingarten, speaking at AFT’s by former Trump U students accus - President Fred Kowal said. “We hope to add 2016 Convention in Minneapolis in ing him of fraud. Monica Wallace to the list of lawmakers who July, took broad swipes at Trump, For union leaders like Kowal, will support adequate funding for SUNY in the likening his economic plans to there is no choice but Clinton for upcoming legislative session.” “snake oil” that defy the concept of president. Tom Tucker, Buffalo Center Chapter president, economic equality and mentioning “We cannot allow Donald Trump agreed. that four of his companies have to become president of the United “Monica Wallace understands the role that pub - filed for bankruptcy. States,” said Kowal. “If this night - lic education plays in keeping New York’s econ - “What do you call it when a mare comes to pass, organized omy competitive,” he said. “But the value of an candidate for president debases an labor and this country’s progressive affordable public education goes beyond what it entire religion, mocks a disabled movement are in jeopardy. We must does for the state—it’s a tremendous asset for reporter, refers to women as pigs work to defeat him. No less than working families. We’re proud that one of our and calls Mexicans rapists?” the survival of the American Dream chapter members is willing to give back in this Weingarten asked. “I call it a threat is at stake.” way, and we are proud to support her candidacy.”

SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 THE VOICE 5 Cover story

WheReprubelican ctanhdidaete y stand Donald Trump

Donald Trump is running a campaign fueled by immigraTion reForm oppressive and hateful rhetoric. He has offered anti- • Plans to erect a wall across the southern border and American “solutions” to banish citizens based purely force Mexico to pay for it. on religious beliefs. He has derided women, immigrants and veterans, and made juvenile remarks about people • Would restrict granting visas to the U.S. with disabilities. • Would create a “deportation force” to remove some All people should be treated with dignity and respect, 11 million undocumented immigrants. and the president of the United States should share these most basic values. Donald Trump does not share • Would reverse a U.S. law that grants American the values of working families. citizenship to any child born in the U.S., regardless In fact, Donald Trump as president would make the of whether the child’s parents are undocumented lives of working people measurably worse. He is one immigrants. of the most anti-worker presidential candidates in • Would bar immigrants from any nation that has been American history. compromised by terrorism (this is an “expansion” of his Donald Trump: earlier plan to bar all foreign Muslims from the U.S.).

Jobs & The economY • Thinks wages are too high and that corporations healTh care should threaten to move production to force down • Would repeal the Affordable Care Act. the wages of working people. • Would bring “free-market principles” to the health • Supports right-to-work laws that gut unions and care industry. take away power from working people. • Would block-grant Medicaid to the states. • Refuses to recognize a union election at his hotel.

• Promises to put union-busting corporate CEOs in charge of trade negotiations. environmenT • Opposes current policy goals to reduce methane • Outsources his own products to low-wage countries emissions by 40-45 percent through standards for like Bangladesh. new and existing sources. • Exploits immigrant workers in the United States. • Opposes policies that: put many of Alaska’s oil reserves off limits; decreased production on federal lands by 10 percent; put 87 percent of Outer Continental crime Shelf reserves out of service; and shut down Atlantic • Believes a good way to fight crime is to empower lease sales. law-abiding gun owners to defend themselves. “Our personal protection is ultimately up to us.” Sources: Working America Coalition; Donald Trump Official Campaign Website; CNNPolitics

THE VOICE SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 6 Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton—endorsed for president by the AFL-CIO, Jobs & The economY AFT and NEA—has a long history of advocating for • Invest in roads, bridges and renewable energy working families. She supports paid family leave, earned infrastructure needed for a 21st-century economy. sick days, equal pay for women, affordable child care, and • Invest in manufacturing to bring back well- the right to unionize and bargain collectively. paying jobs and ensure a skilled workforce. As president, Hillary Clinton has pledged to: • Boost worker income through incentives for higher edUcaTion companies that share profits with employees. • Make community college tuition free. • Provide a $1,500 tax credit to companies for every • Make income-based loan repayment simple and worker they hire and train. broadly available. • Level the playing field for working families through • Increase Pell grants and cut interest rates on a 4 percent “fair share surcharge” on annual incomes federal student loans. of more than $5 million. • Enable borrowers to refinance student loans at • Strengthen financial reform and regulations to rein current low interest rates. in excesses. • Provide grants to states and colleges that ensure no four-year college student must borrow for tuition. healTh care • Preserve and expand the Affordable Care Act. • Protect families from soaring health care costs labor driven by mega-mergers in the health care industry. • Strengthen unions and support workers’ rights • Cap out-of-pocket health care costs, especially for to collective bargaining. prescription drugs. • Fight for pay equity for women, and paid family leave. • Repeal the so-called Cadillac tax on job-based health • Raise the minimum wage. plans that shift costs onto workers. • Establish federal nurse-to-patient ratios that ensure patients receive the best possible care. social JUsTice • Address systematic irregularities in the criminal justice system that disproportionately affect communities reTiremenT secUriTY of color. • Preserve Social Security and protect it from privatization. • Ensure access to educational and economic oppor- • Protect Medicare from privatization and cuts. tunities for poor and low-income families. • Drive down drug costs for seniors. • End racial profiling and an era of mass incarcerations. • Oppose efforts to raise the retirement age.

Source: American Federation of Teachers

SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 THE VOICE 7 Cover story uupers help steer support to pro-education candidates BY DONALD FELDSTEIN “I’m elated to have the support of organized labor representing ully aware of the working families throughout the importance of having 19th Congressional District,” pro-education sup - Teachout said. “As an educator, porters in office, UUP having NYSUT’s endorsement is members lent their voices to very special to me. I believe that help decide which candidates public education is the infra - Fdeserve union support in structure of democracy.” November’s general election. Teachout appeared as part of a UUP officers and members panel discussion at the NYSUT spoke out to help influence the conference on the difficulties choices made at NYSUT’s 2016 women face in politics. Presidents Conference on “When you see only one in Endorsements Aug. 9 in Albany five House members are women, and at the New York State DONALD FELDSTEIN we’ve got a problem,” she said. AFL-CIO’s 33rd Constitutional Syracuse Mayor Stephanie UUP O UTREACH COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR PAMELA MALONE SPEAKS OUT Convention Aug. 22-23 in AT NYSUT’ S 2016 P RESIDENTS CONFERENCE ON ENDORSEMENTS . Miner and retiring Assembly - New York City. Each union woman Janet Duprey (R-Peru) endorsed a bipartisan slate of were among the panelists. candidates for Congress and the from VOTE-COPE, but thousands of state Legislature. SCHumer SHiNeS “We are proud to support these candi - union members knock on doors speaking U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer also drew the dates who have proven themselves as to voters, attend campaign rallies and enthusiastic endorsement of NYSUT and friends of labor and of working people make phone calls from NYSUT’s large the state AFL-CIO. Schumer got a warm across the state,” said UUP President phone-banking operation. greeting as he entered the AFL-CIO con - Fred Kowal. “These elections will go a NYSUT has mounted a drive called vention hall from delegates waving long way to determining what happens “Pledge to Vote” with the goal of having “Labor for Schumer” signs. with our budget next year and our other 95 percent of its members get to the polls. “I am utterly committed to rebuilding legislative priorities.” The New York State AFL-CIO has and expanding the American middle “Candidates earning NYSUT’s endorse - pledged to organize a “grassroots cam - class and I know that there is no institu - ment this year have shown a willingness paign” to support the candidates and to tion in American history more integral to listen to our members in public get unionists out to vote for them. to this effort than the labor movement,” schools, colleges and hospitals,” said “UUP supports NYSUT’s endorsements Schumer said. “From strengthening the NYSUT President Karen Magee. and we stand ready to support and aid National Labor Relations Board, to Mario Cilento, president of the New those candidates in the November elec - making sure we are not ripped off by York AFL-CIO, said union endorsements tion,” Kowal said. unfair trade deals, to investing in our carry clout for candidates. Standing up infrastructure, to winning laws that for candidates who support working oNe of our owN protect the right to organize and collec - families is incredibly important as A UUP member—Monica Wallace of tively bargain—I will be there with you, unions find themselves increasingly Buffalo Center—is among the candidates shoulder-to-shoulder.” under attack. endorsed by NYSUT and the AFL-CIO. The leaders of the Legislature’s higher “All of these candidates understand the She’s running for a state Assembly seat education committees—Sen. Ken LaValle priorities of working men and women,” near Buffalo (see related story, page 5). (R-Port Jefferson) and Assemblywoman said Cilento. “They are committed to Democratic congressional candidate Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan)—were fighting hard for issues important to Zephyr Teachout, one of the major candi - also endorsed by the unions. working people, which is why we will dates who secured the endorsement of fight hard to get them elected.” both unions, drew a prolonged standing An endorsement from NYSUT can ovation at the NYSUT endorsement con - (The list of NYSUT-endorsed candidates make the difference in an election. Not ference. Teachout won nearly a third of can be found at http://bit.ly/2ccGkX4 ; only do endorsed candidates get financial the vote as a political unknown in a 2014 go to http://bit.ly/2c2sXLu for AFL-CIO- support from voluntary contributions primary against Gov. Andrew Cuomo. endorsed candidates for state Legislature.)

THE VOICE SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 8 NySuT, afl-Cio endorsement recommendations for 2016 Below is the complete lis 21 Kevin Parker* 21 No endorsement 86 Victor Pichardo* 22 No endorsement 22 Michaelle Solages* 87 Luis Sepulveda* of NYSUT endorsements. 23 * 23 * 88 * Statewide candidates marked 24 * 24 * 89 Gary Pretlow* with an asterisk* were also 25 * 25 * 90 * endorsed by the New York 26 Daniel Squadron* 26 * 91 * State AFL-CIO. 27 * 27 Michael Simanowitz* 92 Thomas Abinanti* 28 Elizabeth Krueger* 28 * 93 * 29 José Serrano* 29 * 94 Brian M. Higbie U.S. SENATE 30 Bill Perkins* 30 Margaret Markey* 95 Sandra Galef Chuck Schumer* 31 Robert Jackson* 31 * 96 Kenneth Zebrowski* 32 No endorsement 32 Vivian Cook* 97 Ellen Jaffee* 33 Gustavo Rivera* 33 * 98 John Allegro U.S. HOUSE 34 Jeffrey Klein* 34 Michael DenDekker* 99 * OF REPRESENTATIVES 35 Andrea Stewart-Cousins* 35 Jeffrion Aubry* 100

1 Anna Throne-Holst 36 * 36 * 101 No endorsement 2 DuWayne Gregory 37 George Latimer* 37 * 102 Peter Lopez 3 Thomas Suozzi 38 * 38 Michael Miller* 103 Kevin Cahill* 4 No endorsement 39 Chris Eachus 39 Francisco Moya* 104 Frank Skartados* 5 Greg Meeks 40 Terrence Murphy* 40 Ronald Kim* 105 Joe Torres* 6 Grace Meng* 41 Terry Gipson* 41 * 106 Didi Barret* 7 Nydia Velazquez* 42 No endorsement 42 Rodneyese Bichotte* 107 Steve McLaughlin 8 Hakeem Jeffries* 43 Kathy Marchione* 43 * 108 John McDonald* 9 Yvette Clark* 44 * 44 Robert Carroll* 109 * 10 Jerrold Nadler* 45 Elizabeth Little* 45 * 110 Phil Steck* 11 Daniel Donovan Jr.* 46 No endorsement 46 Pamela Harris* 111 * 12 Carolyn Maloney* 47 * 47 * 112 No endorsement 13 Adriano Espaillat* 48 * 48 No endorsement 113 * 14 Joe Crowley* 49 49 Peter Abbate Jr.* 114 * 15 José Serrano* 50 John DeFrancisco* 50 Joseph Lentol* 115 Bill Jones* 16 Eliot Engel* 51 James Seward* 51 Felix Ortiz* 116 Addie Russell* 17 Nita Lowey* 52 * 52 JoAnn Simon* 117 * 18 Sean Patrick Maloney* 53 David Valesky* 53 * 118 Marc Butler* 19 Zephyr Teachout* 54 No endorsement 54 * 119 Anthony Brindisi* 20 Paul Tonko* 55 Rich Funke* 55 * 120 William Barclay* 21 Elise Stefanik 56 Joseph Robach* 56 * 121 William Magee* 22 No endorsement 57 * 57 Walter Mosley* 122 Clifford Crouch* 23 John F. Plumb* 58 Leslie Danks 58 Nick Perry* 123 * 24 Colleen Deacon 59 Patrick Gallivan* 59 Jamie Williams* 124 Christopher Friend 25 Louise Slaughter* 60 No endorsement 60 * 125 Barbara Lifton* 26 Brian Higgins* 61 No endorsement 61 Matthew Titone* 126 Diane Dwire* 27 Diana Kastenbaum* 62 Robert Ortt* 62 No endorsement 127 Albert Stirpe Jr.* 63 Timothy Kennedy* 63 * 128 * 64 Nicole Malliotakis* 129 * NYS SENATE 65 Paul Newell 130 Bob Oaks* 1 Kenneth LaValle NYS ASSEMBLY * 66 Deborah Glick* 131 * 2 No endorsement 1 Jr.* 2 * 67 * 132 Philip Palmesano* 3 Tom Croci* 68 Robert Rodriguez* 133 No endorsement 4 * 3 Dean Murray* 4 * 69 Daniel O’Donnell* 134 Peter Lawrence 5 No endorsement 70 * 135 Mark Johns* 6 No endorsement 5 Alfred Graf* 6 * 71 Herman (Denny) Farrell* 136 Joseph Morelle* 7 Adam Haber* 72 Guillermo Linares* 137 No endorsement 8 No endorsement 7 Andrew Garbarino* 8 Richard Macellaro* 73 * 138 * 9 * 74 Brian Kavanagh* 139 No endorsement 10 James Sanders Jr.* 9 Joseph Saladino* 10 Chad Lupinacci* 75 Richard Gottfried* 140 11 Tony Avella* 76 * 141 Crystal Peoples-Stokes* 12 * 11 Kimberly Jean-Pierre* 12 Andrew Raia* 77 * 142 Michael Kearns* 13 José Peralta* 78 José Rivera* 143 Monica P. Wallace* 14 * 13 Charles Lavine* 14 David McDonough* 79 Michael Blake* 144 No endorsement 15 Joseph Addabbo* 80 Mark Gjonaj* 145 John Ceretto* 16 * 15 16 Anthony D’Urso* 81 * 146 Steven Meyer* 17 No endorsement 82 * 147 David DiPietro 18 Martin Dilan* 17 Thomas McKevitt* 18 No endorsement 83 * 148 * 19 * 84 No endorsement 149 Sean Ryan* 20 Jesse Hamilton* 19 Edward Ra* 20 Anthony Eramo* 85 Marcus Crespo* 150 Andrew Goodell SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 THE VOICE 9 Teacher certification

uBY DsAReRY L uMCGuRApTH ’s web portal to share comments, experiences

hen it comes to getting policymakers to listen about teacher certifica - tion, UUP wants mem - bers to remember this: Members’ stories matter the most. UUP wants WThat’s why UUP needs members to tell their stories through the union’s web portal, by recording their experiences to hear with the educative Teacher Performance Assessment and the state’s other certifica - from YOU! tion exams. The union needs to gather a wide range of experiences with the state’s deeply flawed certification process, which threatens to derail the future of the teach - ing profession in New York. Detailed accounts that relay the direct experiences and expertise of UUP’s academics and professionals in teacher education will Go to the union’s Teacher certification exams ensure that UUP is taking positions its comment portal at http://bit.ly/2c9fFsa members support, and will provide plenty and confidentially share your perspectives on of evidence to back those positions, said the edTPa and other state teacher certification tests. Jamie Dangler, UUP’s statewide vice president for academics. Members should also contact their willing to share through the portal, the access the portal at http://bit.ly/2c9fFsA Regents as soon as possible to provide more we will strengthen our case that or they can contact Dangler at (800) 342- them with information and their perspec - the certification process needs to be 4206 or at [email protected]. tives on the certification exams. Contact revamped,” Dangler said. “We need information for Regents can be found at members to do more than write that this uup oN STaTewide TaSK forCe http://bit.ly/2cliasl process needs to be fixed—which it cer - UUP members serving on the state tainly does. We need members to provide edTPA Task Force are trying to help Tell iT liKe iT iS detailed descriptions of the problems and develop the best possible solutions to UUP has been meeting with teacher possible solutions.” address problems with the state’s current education faculty and staff around the certification policy. The Board of Regents state for three years. Some policymakers SpeaKiNg wiTH poTeNT ial has asked the task force to assess a range and SUNY officials have asserted that the CHaNge-maKerS of possible responses, from making no union has been listening only to a UUP continues to use member accounts change—an unlikely but possible recom - “select few” members, but nothing could when discussing needed reforms with mendation—to allowing institutions and be further from the truth. lawmakers, Regents and State Education programs to select other performance In addition to campus forums that have Department officials. The union wants to assessment options. drawn hundreds of faculty and students, represent members’ concerns and experi - The state edTPA Task Force has recom - and meetings with teacher ed faculty and ences, but will not use members’ names mended that another of the certification staff, UUP leaders have responded to a in those discussions, Dangler said. She exams, the Academic Literacy Skills Test, continuous stream of emails and phone asks that members go on the record so be immediately removed because it is a calls from members who have asked the that she will know how to reach the highly flawed exam from Pearson Inc., union to advocate on behalf of teacher ed author of a comment if she needs to the global academic testing company. programs and the teaching profession. clarify anything, or wants to obtain addi - The Regents are expected to consider this “The more detail our members who tional detail. request this fall. work in teacher education programs are Members who wish to comment can Among the problems that UUP has

THE VOICE SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 10 ‘Caps’ off to Stony brook HSC chapter mobilization event BY KAREN L. M ATTISON

everal community activists and Stony Brook HSC Chapter members took part in a four-mile road race to help raise money for the 11-acre Bethel Hobbs Community Farm in Centereach, Suffolk County. The farm is run by volunteers and provides food to Sarea food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters. The chapter is mobilizing members PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANGELLA FORDE through the union’s Chapter Action ABOVE , TAKING PART IN THE BETHEL HOBBS COMMUNITY FARM “R UN THE Project—a three-year FARM 4-M ILE CHALLENGE ” A UG . 20, FROM LEFT , ARE : A NGELLA FORDE ; ELLEN BOYD ; J AMES XIKIS ; S AMPURNA SHRESTHA ; M ICHELE XIKIS ; initiative funded by PAMELA WHITE ; M ARGE BRYAN ; I RENE STERN ; AND CHAPTER PRESIDENT NYSUT and devel - CAROL GIZZI . oped by UUP to assist in building a LEFT , A NGELLA FORDE , S TONY BROOK HSC CAP TEAM CO -L EADER , chapter-based struc - POSES WITH SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGISLATOR TOM MURATORE AT BETHEL ture to recruit and HOBBS COMMUNITY FARM IN CENTEREACH . engage new union members and activists. dent Carol Gizzi. “Our participation shows our union’s commit - “As part of CAP, the Stony Brook Chapter is focusing on ment to our neighbors and gives our members an opportunity to actions to support the communities we live in, while being sure be involved in their union in a positive, uplifting way.” to wear our UUP brand proudly,” said delegate Angella Forde. The Stony Brook HSC CAP Team includes Forde, Kretz and Forde and Amy Kretz are co-leaders of the chapter’s CAP Team. Gizzi. Behind-the-scenes CAP contributors are Chapter Vice “Being involved in the ‘Run the Farm 4-Mile Challenge’ is President for Professionals Marge Bryan, Chapter Membership a great way for us to strengthen partnerships with community Development Officer Ellen Boyd and chapter newsletter editor leaders and lawmakers,” said Stony Brook HSC Chapter Presi - Pam White.

identified with the ALST: It has not been cation process by teacher education Do you have experience with and/or ● properly validated and assessed for possi - students and faculty, and practitioners knowledge of alternative performance ble bias by race and ethnicity of the test- in the field. The following questions assessments that you would recommend? takers and may disadvantage English indicate the information that UUP Member involvement in this difficult Language Learners; faculty who have seeks: but important process has made all the taken the ALST report that the multiple- Should the edTPA remain the only difference, Dangler said. ● choice questions are poorly composed; performance assessment allowed in New “We need members to continue to test-takers who fail cannot determine York state? communicate with UUP and directly to which areas of the exam they need to Should the edTPA (or any perform - the Regents,” she said. “Some Regents ● address for possible retakes; and the test’s ance assessment) be a high-stakes and SED officials appear to equate the design violates accepted practices in liter - requirement for initial teaching certifica - current teacher certification exams with acy. As a result of design flaws, the test tion or should performance assessment be high standards. Flawed exams do not seems to require memorization skills used differently? equal standards. All they do is make rather than the ability to comprehend and money for Pearson and continue to Are there specific things about the analyze written passages. ● discourage students from entering the edTPA and its implementation that should teaching profession in New York state. be changed? wide-raNgiNg problemS Our members need to help policymakers What have your experiences with the The Regents’ charge follows more than ● understand how flawed some of these two years of criticism of the new certifi - edTPA been? exams are.”

SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 THE VOICE 11 UUP front uup outreach Committee looks

tBY oDOwNALaD FrELdDST EIN2017

reating momentum and build - ing an army of activists emerged as the goals of the Outreach Committee retreat, Aug. 6-7 in Albany. The committee is hoping to build on C DONALD FELDSTEIN PHOTOS past successes by developing an ABOVE , B OB KASPRAK OF OPTOMETRY , ambitious plan for AND PAULA WHITE AND CHERYL HOYTE the future, which OF DOWNSTATE MEDICAL CENTER , includes electing DISCUSS OUTREACH ISSUES DURING pro-education, pro- THE COMMITTEE RETREAT . working family can - didates and pressing a LEFT , O UTREACH CO-CHAIR TOM 2017 political agenda TUCKER , RIGHT , TALKS STRATEGY WITH within the governor’s ED DRUMMOND OF STONY BROOK 2 percent budget HSC, LEFT , AND KIKO FRANCO OF increase cap. OLD WESTBURY . “The best way to advance our agenda and grow the number of UUP activists is to build on past achievements,” said teachers from economically disadvan - Kowal said a pro-working family White Outreach Committee Co-chair Pamela taged and underrepresented backgrounds. House and Congress would have a direct Malone. “We need to tell our members “We must suit up, stand up and speak effect on the appointment of U.S. Supreme about our successes so they know our out for our goals,” said committee Court justices and on cases like Friedrichs v. advocacy process is worth it.” Co-chair Tom Tucker. California Teachers Association . 2017 won’t be a walk in the park. Kowal said working to prevent a state “The next president could appoint “Indications are that 2017 will feature constitutional convention is also on UUP’s three to four Supreme Court justices. another tough fight over the state radar. The proposed convention, which We need a Supreme Court that will make budget,” UUP President Fred Kowal goes before voters in a referendum next Friedrichs a distant memory,” Kowal warned. “We need to ensure that candi - year, invites a complete rewrite of the state said. “We have the chance to protect dates who support working families and constitution, which could endanger the the gains the progressive movement public higher education are elected. fundamental rights New Yorkers currently has made.” UUP will work with lawmakers from ei - enjoy, including the right to be a member But he cautioned against taking the ther party who share our interests.” of a union and to bargain collectively. electoral outcome for granted, and urged Some of the union’s likely priorities UUPers to work with NYSUT and AFT for 2017 include the creation of a public CauSe for opTimiSm on political campaigns. higher education endowment, a true In contrast to the challenges in New York, “We must make sure that we have peo - Maintenance of Effort, restoring the full Kowal said the political winds are shifting ple in the field to educate voters and get subsidy for SUNY hospitals, continued nationally in favor of organized labor. them out to vote,” he said. funding for the clean energy program “Unions nationally are close to being in The two-day retreat also focused on initially pitched by UUP, and passage of the best position they’ve been in since strategic planning and training, including RETA (Recruiting and Educating Teach - 1964,” Kowal said. “If we work hard, we ways to advocate more effectively. Com - ers for All) legislation, designed to pro - can elect Hillary Clinton and a Demo - mittee members mimicked meetings with vide financial assistance to would-be cratic-led Senate.” lawmakers to refine their technique.

THE VOICE SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 12 dBY DoARRwYL MnCGsRAtTH ate consulctonatainns ta l inck tor tihte fiucll riezporet. d for Dloawnvstaites thhree yseaprs aegon. Wdhilei ntheg im - Among the comptroller’s criticisms of mediate threat of closure or privatization uxury hotel rooms, lavish the Downstate administration: former has lessened, the hospital is still severely meals and limousines sound Downstate President John Williams, who underfunded. like an all-expenses-paid prize has since resigned, traveled to Bermuda “There is a clear, desperate need for package at an exclusive resort. for a six-day birthday celebration for transparency and financial controls in In fact, these are some of the expenses Pitts’ chair and chief executive officer. SUNY in the way public funds are an audit by state Comptroller Thomas Williams reimbursed the state for his used—especially when it comes to the DiNapoli uncovered when his office hotel after the audit questioned the hiring of consultants,” said Blackman- Lprobed into the travel expenses submitted expense. Stroud. for state reimbursement by a consulting “Much more over - firm that racked up $83,000 in question - sight and trans - able billing for its work at SUNY Down - parency are necessary “There is a clear, desperate need for state Medical Center. The consulting at SUNY and its in - firm, Pitts Management Association, stitutions to ensure transparency in SUNY ... especially when sought reimbursement for these expenses that state funds di - it comes to the hiring of consultants.” even as its staff was recommending more rected to Downstate job cuts and other money-saving meas - are used to provide — Downstate Chapter President ures at the already stretched-to-the-limit vital health care serv - Rowena Blackman-Stroud Downstate. ices and teach future “We also have serious concerns about medical professionals, not for expensive SUNY Downstate hired Pitts in 2012 to the internal controls with regard to moni - hotel rooms and alcohol-fueled team din - provide “organizational restructuring and toring this contract and whether the ac tions ners,” UUP President Fred Kowal said. consulting services.” Downstate has of Downstate’s president exacerbated a Rowena Blackman-Stroud, UUP’s faced threats of closure by the state and poor control environment that appeared Downstate Chapter president, said she years of job cuts—more than 1,000 to to exist with the finance department,” has long questioned Pitts’ actions, many date—and staff shortages. It is one of Bernard McHugh, director of state of which occurred as Blackman-Stroud three state hospitals run by SUNY, and expenditures in the comptroller’s office, led a successful coalition of activists, UUP represents about 2,500 employees at wrote in his scathing report on the Pitts Downstate employees and faith-based Downstate. The hospital is at the heart of audit. A summary of the audit can be seen leaders from Brooklyn to protest SUNY’s Central Brooklyn, one of the most impov - at http://bit.ly/2d5CdPt and the summary thinly veiled plan to privatize or close erished urban regions in the Northeast.

Obama’s years in office. The Republicans’ reprehensible o THe poiNT attacks cannot go unanswered. Therefore, in this election, Tcontinued from page 3 the choice is clear: I urge you to vote for the most qualified, progressively committed, and best candidate for president: So, I appeal to your conscience. Though voting for a fringe Hillary Clinton. candidate feels good—and in a sense, it validates our belief in Please get out and vote. Get involved in the various cam - a democratic system where we can choose any candidate paigns going on across our state and nation. I need you. Your matching our values—in the end, that vote is wasted. union needs you. The future of our union, state, and nation Worse, in this election, a vote for anyone other than Hillary needs you. Clinton improves Trump’s chances of becoming president and All this and more is at stake in November. Republicans maintaining control of Congress. Imagine the We cannot fail. Not this time. impact a Trump presidency and a Republican-controlled Congress would have on the Supreme Court, the environment In solidarity, and women’s rights. Imagine the impact on race relations in America’s cities. Imagine the impact on organized labor—and on our union. Worst of all, such a result would reward the obstructionism, racism, xenophobia, homophobia and sexism that the Republi - can Party encouraged, fostered, and practiced during President

SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 THE VOICE 13 Member spotlight

NUUPe mvemeberr l esarnas y ‘Can’t’ life lessons as coach to wounded vets BY DARRYL MCGRATH

ne of the first things Brad Fichthorn learned as a coach in the Department of Defense Warrior Games is that many combat injuries are invisible. Post-traumatic stress disorder can be as Odisabling as an amputation from a road - side bomb. Combat inflicts many kinds of scars. The other thing he learned: No PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRAD FICHTHORN matter how seriously injured a service member might be on the ABOVE , ONE OF THE MANY MILITARY ATHLETES outside, no matter how wounded TAKING PART IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WARRIOR GAMES . inside, Fichthorn, a UUP mem - ber at Cobleskill, never heard LEFT , B RAD FICHTHORN OF COBLESKILL POSES any of these military athletes say, FOR A PHOTO AT THE WARRIOR GAMES IN JUNE . “I can’t” even as they faced daunting feats: swimming races—and winning—without legs. Drawing an archery bow and hitting the target at dead-cen - was lifted after most of the soldiers com - ter despite the loss of fingers peting in this summer’s Warrior Games and, in some cases, arms. Let - had been injured, but, as Fichthorn ting teammates know they can learned, many of the jobs military women count on you, even though you have been doing all along—as medics, don’t always feel that you can military police officers or convoy driv - count on yourself. ers—carry the risk of extreme injury “You might hear the words, ‘I from surprise attacks or roadside bombs. can’t,’ but it’s always followed by, ‘Yet,’” others happened in the course of carrying For all competitors, the Warrior Games said Fichthorn, who completed his third out duties that would be considered haz - aim to instill confidence and camaraderie. summer coaching throwing events at the ardous by any measure, but which the Recovering service members draw on the nationally renowned Warrior Games in soldiers considered simply part of their military values of teamwork and personal June. The competition always takes place mission. Fichthorn recalled a soldier who best, as well as the tradition that no at a military base or service academy. The fell from a transmission tower she had wounded soldier should ever be left be - United States Military Academy at West climbed at her post in South Korea to hind on the battlefield. Point hosted this year’s event for 250 for - help with a repair, and severely injured Fichthorn saw those values demon - mer and active-duty service members. her back. To his astonished comments strated time and again, as competitors en - that she tackled such a dangerous task, couraged their teammates, nonchalantly iN THe liNe of duTy the soldier explained that the job needed dealt with crippling injuries and artificial The games draw soldier athletes from to be done, and she was the one in charge limbs, or overcame psychological and all over the country who have physical or of doing it. physical pain during an event. Some of psychological injuries incurred during “One of the things that most people these athletes will return to active duty; their service. Not all of the injuries are don’t realize is the number of women many are too injured to do so. from combat. Motor vehicle accidents who have been injured,” Fichthorn said. The games are one part of a long-range while on active duty account for some; The ban on women serving in combat effort to help soldiers, no matter which THE VOICE SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 14 Spotlight shines on UUPers

ach year, hundreds of uup members publish books and articles, and are recognized for accomplishments E on campus and in their communities. The Voic e is pleased to recognize four members in this issue. Four UUPers from ordinates the col - SUNY Delhi were lege’s annual Com - recently recognized munity Service Day with Chancellor’s and Alternative Awards for Excellence Breaks, and co-chairs for superior profes - the Conference on sional achievement Volunteerism with and outstanding contri - BROSCHE DEZUR SOVA TUCKER SUNY Oneonta and butions to education. SUNY Cobleskill. They are: Theresa Brosche ; Kathryn the award for scholarship and creative Tucker , a professor of automotive tech - DeZur ; Elizabeth Sova ; and Stephen activities. A recipient of the 2009-2010 nology, received the Chancellor’s Award Tucker . Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in for Excellence in Teaching. He spear - Brosche received the chancellor’s Teaching, DeZur is a brilliant scholar and headed the accreditation of the college’s award for adjunct teaching. Her innova - educator regarded as a national expert on auto tech program by the National Auto - tive approach to online education has sig - the Sir Philip Sidney circle of writers. Her motive Technician’s Education Founda - nificantly contributed to the growth of scholarship explores reading, rhetoric and tion. Tucker has completed more than 300 Delhi’s bachelor of science in nursing gender in early modern English literature. hours of trainings and seminars in the last program. Brosche assists other faculty in Sova , director of the college’s O’Con - decade, applying that knowledge to im - the nursing program with best practices, nor Center for Community Engagement, prove curriculum, including introducing a and is a published author, writing on received the chancellor’s award for pro - new course: Automotive Alternative Fuels many topics, including online education. fessional service. Since joining the col - and Hybrid Technology. DeZur , a professor and director of lege in 2010, Sova has secured more than They were honored at the college’s humanities and social sciences, received $216,000 in grants for the OCCE; she co - Employee Appreciation Day in May.

direction they are heading. Military psy - New York is part of a group of eight of veterans and their tremendous sacri - chologists are on hand to work with the states that has the second-highest veteran fices to an even wider audience,” competitors, as well as coaches like population in the country, according to Culkowski said. Fichthorn. the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. States in that category have been 551,000 expaNdiNg ServiCe laSTiNg CommiTmeNT and 950,000 resident veterans. But UUP Fichthorn has found other outlets for his Fichthorn, a UUP member and associate almost certainly does not have an accu - interest in supporting veterans. For the professor who teaches sports manage - rate picture or even an estimate of how third year in a row, he will help out this ment and is also the Cobleskill head many veterans are in its membership, said September at the Patriot Highlander coach for track and field, got involved Justin Culkowski, who, along with Challenge, a timed obstacle course event with the Warrior Games through a former William Borgstede, co-chairs the union’s held annually in Cobleskill that supports student who transferred to Southeastern Veterans Affairs Committee. That’s be - charities working with disabled veterans, Louisiana State University several years cause veterans often do not identify civilian adults and children. This year, ago. That student’s new coach contacted themselves. the event’s guest of honor will be Army Fichthorn, who specialized in throwing Culkowski said he wished more UUP infantry veteran and double amputee events in track and field in his own col - veteran members would realize that the Sgt. Ryan Major, whom Fichthorn met lege days, and encouraged him to try union can be a source of good advice to at the Warrior Games. coaching the Warrior Games. That was them on special benefits available to vet - Fichthorn plans to continue working three summers ago. Fichthorn has never erans, such as pension credits. Veterans with recovering veterans. The chance in - served in the military, but he now consid - can also display special tassels on their vitation he accepted three summers ago ers the Warrior Games a long-term com - academic regalia. The Veterans Affairs has opened up a world that’s teaching mitment. And he is using that experience Committee can provide information on him new lessons about life, determination to explore ways to heighten awareness of that and on other activities that afford and courage. veterans in his own community and on veteran unionists pride and solidarity. Said Fichthorn, “The word ‘honor’ is his campus. One idea: Modeling a “Our committee does a lot of good not something I use much, but to work smaller, more local work, but a member who talks about an with these veterans is an honor, it’s a event on the Warrior Games. experience like this brings an awareness privilege, it’s me giving back.”

SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 THE VOICE 15 Who’s who

Below are your chapter presidents and how to reach them. on the front line albany alfred binghamton brockport buffalo center buffalo hsc bret benjamin Joe Petrick benita roth José Torre Tom Tucker ray dannenhoffer (518) 442-4071 (607) 587-4313 (607) 777-5000 (585) 395-5698 (716) 645-2013 (716) 829-2540

buffalo state canton cobleskill cortland delhi downstate medical rich stempniak brian harte bill Tusang Joe westbrook daniel klossner rowena (716) 878-5732 (315) 386-7967 (518) 255-5205 (607) 753-5517 (607) 746-4274 blackman-stroud (718) 270-1519

empire state esF Farmingdale Fredonia geneseo maritime Pamela malone John view vicki Janik Ziya arnavut wes kennison barbara warkentine (518) 587-2100 (315) 470-4863 (631) 420-2321 (716) 673-3864 (585) 245-5283 (718) 409-7370

morrisville new Paltz old westbury oneonta optometry oswego Plattsburgh steve hinkle beth wilson kiko Franco bill simons kim oliver lori nash karen volkman (315) 684-6260 (845) 257-3896 (516) 876-3345 (607) 436-3498 (212) 938-5515 (315) 312-3264 (518) 564-5305

Polytechnic institute Potsdam Purchase stony brook stony brook hsc system admin. Upstate medical linda weber laura rhoads connie lobur kevin moriarty carol gizzi John leirey carl Pettengill (315) 792-7141 (315) 267-2260 (914) 251-6615 (631) 632-6570 (631) 444-1505 (518) 320-1470 (315) 464-7878

THE VOICE SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 16 Labor notes

Member training available through JLMC tions,” said Kowal. “We applaud the NLRB, which took a rea - The New York State/UUP Joint Labor-Management Commit - soned approach to this situation and concluded that private tees are offering three pilot workshops for UUP-represented sector graduate students should be considered ‘workers’ employees. under federal labor law.” The pilot workshops are: “UUP stands ready to assist the AFT with efforts to organize • Managing Change with Skill and Finesse , Oct. 5, graduate students at private colleges in New York state.” Buffalo State College; The NLRB’s 3-1 ruling in Columbia University , a case filed • Enhance Your Supervisory Skills , Oct. 20, UAlbany by Columbia University graduate students who wanted to Downtown Campus; and organize, overturned a 2004 board precedent ruling— Brown • Respectful Communication and Conflict Resolution , University —that said graduate students could not collectively Oct. 26, SUNY Optometry. bargain legally because they were not employees under the All workshops are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. National Labor Relations Act. No campus contribution is required for UUP-represented The decision applies only to graduate student employees at employees to attend these courses. The campus is only private colleges. SUNY graduate students are members of the responsible for travel-related expenses incurred by the Graduate Student Employees Union. participant to attend. For more information and an application , contact the Download the NYSUT MAC app today! NYS/UUP Joint Labor-Management Committees at (518) 486- With the NYSUT Member Action 4666 or by email at [email protected]. Center app, members can easily take action on important issues NLRB rules grad students are ‘workers’ and legislation with the click of UUP President Fred Kowal praised an Aug. 23 ruling by the a button. National Labor Relations Board that allows graduate students The app does all the work. Just who work as research and teaching assistants at private sec - type in a zip code to start taking tor colleges to unionize. action immediately. Make a free call “Like their counterparts at public universities, graduate stu - to legislators. Fax a letter to legislators with one click. dents working at private sector institutions have a right to Get emails and push notifications about the latest actions. form unions and bargain for better wages and working condi - Go to https://mac.nysut.org for more details.

Cookbook sale benefits uup College Scholarship fund UP is selling cookbooks You may order as many copies of UUP’s filled with favorite “Simply Delicious” cookbook as you wish recipes submitted by UUP members, family, for $10 each, plus $2.50 for shipping friends and staff. per book ordered. Enclose check payable All proceeds from the sale go to the to “UUP College Scholarship Fund” and mail with completed form to: UUP College Scholarship Fund, which each year awards scholarships to up to five SUNY undergraduate united university professions and post-baccalaureate students. po box 15143 UUP’s “Simply Delicious” cook - albany, Ny 12212-5143 books cost $10, plus $2.50 for Please mail ______copies of the UUP cookbook @ $12.50 each to: postage and handling, if using the coupon at right. Check with your Name chapter, or with members of the Scholarship Development Commit - Address tee—which produced the cookbook and organized the sale—to see if they City, State, Zip have copies on hand.

SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 THE VOICE 17 Union benefits

THE VOICE SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 18 CONTACT INFORMATION active, retiree members benefit from union membership UUP Benefit Trust Fund ...... 800/887-3863 elcome back to all of our * Employees must be eligible for enrollment in NYS Health Insurance Prgm new and returning mem - Delta Dental ...... 800/471-7093 bers and their families. Davis Vision (Vision Care) ...... 800/999-5431 I hope everyone enjoyed Laser Vision Correction their summer. (Client Code 7512) ...... 800/584-2866 It’s time for a refresher course on all of the benefits available to you as a member W Empire Plan (Select menu option) ..877/769-7447 of UUP. Let’s begin with the UUP Bene - Press 1. fit Trust Fund. Doreen M. Bango, Manager , Member Benefits & Services United HealthCare (Medical/Surgical) Our toll-free number is (800) 887-3863 HCAP (Home Care Advocacy Prgm./Equip./Supplies) and our fax number is (866) 559-0516. MultiPlan (Basic Medical Provider Discount Program) Our mailing address is PO Box 15143, MPN (Chiropractic/Physical Therapy Managed Prgm.) Albany, NY 12212-5143. Benefits Mgmt. Prgm. (MRI Pre-certification) UUP retiree members may call Retiree beneficiary card on file for the BTF life Infertility Treatment (Centers of Excellence) Member Services Coordinator Walter insurance policy through UNUM for ac - Press 2. Empire BlueCross and BlueShield Apple at (800) 342-4206. tive and retiree members. The life insur - (Hosp./Inpatient/Nursing/Transplant Pre-certification) BTF information can be accessed on ance benefit is $6,000 in coverage for Press 3. Mental Health and Substance Abuse the UUP website at www.uupinfo.org. active members and $1,000 of coverage Press 4. Prescription Program Click on Benefits for various options. for retiree members. This is at no cost to Press 5. NurseLine (Info/Educ./24-hour Support) Our dental provider is Delta Dental. the member. Delta Dental’s toll free number for UUP UUP also offers our members retail dis - members is (800) 471-7093 and the web - counts through our Member Services HMO Participants ...... Call your HMO site is www.deltadentalins.com . Clean - Trust Fund. Discount programs an serv - Retirement Systems (Pensions) ing and exams are paid in full when our ices are available from AFLAC, AT&T, NYS Employees’ Retirement Sys. . .866/805-0990 eligible members seek treatment from an BJ’s Wholesale Club, Brooklyn Nets, NYS Teachers’ Retirement Sys . . . .800/348-7298 in-network provider. You have a choice Enterprise Rental Car, Good Year, Lib - Optional Retirement Programs in open enrollment of a PPO or DHMO erty Mutual, Sprint, Verizon Wireless ING ...... 800/677-4636 dental plan. The PPO dental plan allows and Jos. A. Banks, among others. TIAA-CREF ...... 800/842-2776 Metropolitan ...... 800/638-5433 in- or out-of-network services and the We also offer to our retiree members VALIC ...... 800/448-2542 DHMO dental plan only allows in-net - and our active members who are em - work services with a copayment. ployed part-time a Voluntary Dental Tax Deferred Retirement Savings Our vision provider is Davis Vision. and Vision Program with affordable NYS Deferred Comp Plan 457(P) . .800/422-8463 Davis Vision’s toll free number is (800) premium rates. 999-5431 and the website is The UUP Benefit Trust Fund takes NYSUT ...... 800/342-9810 Member Benefits ...... 800/626-8101 www.davisvision.com . Eligible members great pride in the customer service we have an annual benefit for eye exams, provide to our members. If you have AFT ...... 800/238-1133 x8643 glasses or contacts. any questions or concerns regarding The start of a semester is also a good your benefits, please contact the BTF Workers’ Compensation/SS Disability time to make sure you have a current at (800) 887-3863. Fine, Olin & Anderman ...... 866/362-4887 Flex Spending Account Dependent Care Advantage Acct . . .800/358-7202 Health Care Spending Account . . . .800/342-8017 did you know? NYS Dept. of Civil Service ...... 800/833-4344 Union members are 79 percent more likely New York State/UUP Joint UNION PROUD to have access to retirement plans than Labor/Management Office ...... 518/486-4666 their nonunion counterparts. AFT Local 2190 NYS Tax Information Pensions/Annuities ...... 800/225-5829

SEPTEMBER /O CTOBER 2016 THE VOICE 19 THE NON-PROFIT ORG. Voic e U.S. POSTAGE PAID United University Professions PERMIT NO. 103 P.O. Box 15143 ALBANY, N.Y. Albany, N.Y. 12212-5143

Support the political action fund of UUP and NYSUT Give to VOTE-COPE VOTE-COPE is the nonpartisan political action fund of UUP and its UUP VOTE-COPE Voluntary Contribution affiliate, NYSUT. It coordinates the United University Professions, PO Box 15143, Albany, NY 12212-5143 voluntary contributions of members and makes contributions to Last Name First MI UUP/NYSUT-endorsed candidates and to UUP/NYSUT-supported Address (Include Street, City, State, Zip) general campaign committees. Dues money is not used for Campus Department political action. Contributions to VOTE-COPE are not tax deductible. Non-SUNY Email

Effective no earlier than______(enter date), I hereby authorize regular payroll deductions from my earnings in the Return this coupon to: amount specified below as a voluntary contribution to be paid to VOTE/COPE, to be used in accordance with applicable law for the purpose of making political contributions in connection with Federal, State, and local elections. My contribution is voluntary, VOTE-COPE and I understand that it is not required as a condition of employment, and that I may revoke this authorization at any time by giving written notice to the Treasurer of United University Professions. United University Professions PO Box 15143 Contribution Per Pay Period (Circle One) $5 $10 Other $ Albany, NY 12212-5143 Signature Date