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

EchoEcho Vol. 7, No. 1

InsIde — Candidate comparisons, pages 8-15

— nYsUT endorsements, page 16

— UUPers run for office, page 17

— Candidate statements for union posts,

WhichWhich candidatecandidate willwill dodo moremore forfor AmericaAmerica andand workingworking families?families? — Election coverage begins on Page 4 THE Echo Volume 7, Number 1

The Echo is an online publication of United University Professions (UUP), bargaining agent for the more than 37,000 academic and professional em- ployees of the State University of .

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 Use your power—vote! FREDERICK E. KOWAL UUP PRESIDENT FRED KOWAL URGES MEMBERS TO VOTE IN WHAT HE CALLS “THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL President ELECTION IN MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY.” CHECK OUT THE VIDEO HERE.

THOMAS J. TUCKER Vice President for Professionals

An Online Publication of United University Professions The Nation’s Largest Higher Education Union Working For You THE HATthisS issue INSIDE

Vol. 7, No. 1 W ’ Echo JAMIE F. DANGLER Vice President LSO for Academics CoVER DESigN A : INSIDE bY AREN L. MATTiSoN — Candidate K comparisons, pages 8­15 Know Your Rights — NYSUT 3 endorsements, page 16

— UUPers run for office, page 17

— Candidate statements for union posts, 16 NYSUT endorsements for statewide offices JERI O’BRYAN-LOSEE WWhichhich candidate will do more for America and working families? 17 Four with links to UUP vie for state, federal offices Secretary/Treasurer — Election coverage begins on Page 4 18 UUP delegates run for statewide leadership posts Election 2020 34 Labor notes 4—This is setting up to be a U.S. 35 UUPers gain ground with virtual advocacy THOMAS C. HOEY election like no other. Find out what 37 Spotlight shines on UUPers Membership you and your colleagues can do— 38 Virtual Delegate Assembly highlights Development Officer and are doing—before Nov. 3. 39 PEP deadline announced ALSo: Flex Spending Account deadlines announced — Your vote counts, page 6 40 — Side-by-side comparisons, page 8 42 Member benefits UUP MEDIA AND PUBLICATIONS 44 The Last Word: Remembering voter suppression MICHAEL LISI Director of Media and Publications

KAREN L. MATTISON Associate Director of Media and Publications FOLLOW UUP DARRYL MCGRATH ON FACEBOOK, Communications Specialist AND ANGELL M. VILLAFAÑE Communications Assistant INSTAGRAM!

Go to www.UUPinfo.org to sign up today.

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 2 What Do You Do When They Come For You? KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Disciplinary Rights: Article 19 of the UUP Contract UUP representation is provided to all UUP dues-paying members holding term, permanent or continuing appointment. The first United University Professions PO Box 15143, Albany NY 12212 step UUP members should take with any disciplinary action is 518.640.6600 800.342.4206 to contact their UUP chapter leaders, who will contact your fax: 518.640.6698 www.uupinfo.org UUP/NYSUT representative. Refer to Article 19 of the UUP contract for additional disciplinary and other rights that you have:

https://uupinfo.org/contract/pdf/20162022NYSUUPAgreement.pdf

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 10 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.

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 3 Cover story

UUPAn members election like no other working right down to the finish line BY DARRYL MCGRATH

allies with chants through bull- horns. Ringing a doorbell for a chat about the issues. Crowd- ing into a bus with union col- leagues for a drive to a battleground state. Staffing a table at a Labor Day picnic to talk about union-supported candidates. RThese are the time-honored techniques that UUP has used for years during an election season. They are based on one important premise: that brief but powerful PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CORTLAND CHAPTER connections with voters may make a CORTLAND CHAPTER MEMBERS ANNE WIEGARD, LEFT, AND BEKKIE BRYAN SEND HANDWRITTEN POST- difference, one person and one hand- CARDS TO FELLOW VOTERS IN THE 22ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, URGING THEM TO VOTE NOV. 3. shake at a time. UUP MEMBERS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN PHONE BANKS, WORKSHOPS, SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH, VIRTUAL RALLIES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET OUT AND VOTE. But this year, in the midst of the coron- avirus pandemic, the union had to either abandon most of its traditional get-out- fund public education, health care and cli- MANY WAYS TO REACH VOTERS the-vote techniques or alter them so dras- mate protection—is work that cannot stop, Among the activities UUP has under- tically that they bore little resemblance to not even for a national crisis. It must con- taken and supported: phone-banking with anything familiar. tinue through the pandemic, and adapt to AFT; the mailing of several thousand Rallies became virtual; parades became new ways of reaching members and vot- postcards to voters in key states; social convoys of slow-moving cars, with honking ers, if UUP is going to help ensure that media outreach to voters; and cooperative horns replacing chants and megaphones. such a dereliction of duty by national lead- efforts through coalition-building with Old-fashioned postcards to voters, signed ers never happens again, UUP President like-minded organizations in labor, commu- by a union member and addressed by Fred Kowal has told members. nity activism and environmental advocacy. hand, replaced campaign literature distrib- “This is something that is very different “This year is different,” Kowal told uted at union social events—which also for us at UUP,” Kowal said in a recent vir- members participating in the Oct. 16-17 didn’t happen this year. tual address to members that acknowl- training. “If we don’t vote this year, And phone-banking—one of the few edged the adjustments that they’ve had to we’re betraying our ancestors, we’re techniques that has worked as well during make in how they conduct organizing and betraying everyone who fought for this the pandemic as it did before—has played political engagement. “We’ve had to ex- country.” an especially important role. Phone-bank- plore various ways of organizing.” Those two days of workshops featured ing has been the chat on the front porch Kowal’s remarks came during the Oct. 16 nationally known labor leaders and ac- and the conversation at a get-out-the-vote opening of two days of virtual workshops tivists for political action and social justice, table rolled into one brief outreach, one and training on coalition-building and out- including AFT President Randy Wein- that UUP has relied upon heavily, in coop- reach to voters. garten; the Rev. Terrence Melvin, secre- eration with its national affiliate AFT. “If there was ever a time we need to tary-treasurer of the New York State teach the values of democracy and citizen AFL-CIO; Rob Diamond, the New York PANDEMIC WON’T STOP US engagement, that time is now,” Kowal state director of the Biden-Harris cam- This get-out-the-vote work—and by ex- said. “Citizenship means engagement at paign; and John Ost, the AFT national tension, support for candidates who will all levels.” political director.

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 4 WORKINGWITH AFT Weingarten thanked members for sending nearly 2,500 letters to Congress as part of UUP’s effort to push for pas- sage of the HEROES Act in the Senate. The HEROES Act bill passed the House in the spring but has languished in the Sen- ate despite the fact that hard-hit states have struggled to recover financially from the crash caused by the coronavirus pan- demic. Weingarten also urged members to channel that same activism into the final days of the campaign. “If you say this is the most conse- quential election of your lifetime, you have to figure out how to put that into action,” she WEINGARTEN said. UUP is partnering with AFT to host “UUP Swing State Solidarity Phone Calls.” During these virtual phone bank ses- sions, participants will call AFT members in battleground states to get out the vote for endorsed candidates and remind vot- ers to return their ballots. Training will be provided prior to each virtual phone bank time slot. Go HERE to sign up. known as an activist for adjunct rights. She Bryan agreed. THE PERSONAL TOUCH also serves on Indivisible Cortland County’s “It personalizes it, so it doesn’t feel like OFAPOSTCARD steering committee, along with Bryan, who it’s coming from a campaign,” she said. A very old-fashioned voter-engagement is a delegate, the membership development “It’s a way to say, ‘Hey, I’m your neighbor, tool has gained new attention during the officer at the UUP Cortland Chapter, and and we live in the same county.’” pandemic: postcards. UUP has used them, another postcard volunteer. The district’s congressional race has the social-justice group called Indivisible drawn national attention for its rematch has used them, and so has the AFT. It’s NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR between the Democratic incumbent An- not too late to send them; go to UUP’s Indivisible Cortland County sent 1,150 thony Brindisi, and his Republican chal- Vote 2020 page for links to some other postcards to registered Democratic voters lenger, , whom Brindisi ways to send postcards. in the 22nd Congressional District who did unseated in 2018. But the postcards do UUP members who participated in a post- not vote in the last two national elections. not promote any one candidate; instead, card project with Indivisible Cortland The postcard had a colorful, eye-catching Wiegard said, “We’re just asking them to County described the experience as fun and retro design, reminiscent of one that your vote Blue.” deeply personal—members Anne Wiegard grandparents might have sent from a road Work will continue—mainly through and Bekkie Bryan added their first names to trip in the 1950s, and was printed with the phone-banking—right up to the last possi- each card following a handwritten mes- slogan, “Greetings from your neighbors in ble minute. And after that? Kowal has sage—unique to each card—that encour- New York’s 22nd Congressional District.” told members that this election is just aged voting Democratic. “Postcards are a neighborly gesture,” the start. “We haven’t even considered door-to-door Wiegard said. “There’s something about “We need to think about how we can be contact,” said Wiegard, a longtime adjunct getting a personal note in the mail that is present in the struggle,” he said.“This is and delegate at Cortland who is nationally a real gesture.” more than just one day.”

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 5 Cover story

Especially in an electionYour that could vote counts set record turnout

BY MICHAEL LISI

n a rousing Oct. 27 outdoor speech in Orlando, Fla., President Barack Obama imagined what it would be like if more than half of America’s eligible voters came out to vote in this year’s presidential election. “What would happen if we got 60 or 70 Ipercent voting rates instead of voting rates in the 50s?” asked Obama, his voice boom- ing as he spoke to a throng of mask-wear- ing supporters, many honking their horns as they sat in their cars to mitigate any poten- MANY ELECTION EXPERTS ARE SAYING THAT VOTER TURNOUT THIS YEAR COULD REACH RECORD LEVELS. tial spread of coronavirus. “The country JUST DAYS BEFORE THE NOV. 3 ELECTION, MORE THAN 72 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE CAST THEIR BALLOTS, would be reformed!” AND UUP MEMBERS CONTINUE TO WORK LONG AND HARD TO ENCOURAGE THEIR COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS, This year, it could easily happen. Election FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS TO VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE WHO WILL BEST SERVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. experts across the country are predicting record voter turnout for the Nov. 3 election. “I expect voter turnout to be exceptional, dential elections, were an anomaly; you New Hampshire—where voting records are perhaps the highest in over a century, since have to go back to the 1910s to find turnout being broken daily. 1908,” Michael McDonald, a University of rates over 60 percent. And the last time In , early voting tallies account for a Florida associate professor and director of more than 70 percent of the electorate whopping 87 percent of the total votes cast the U.S. Elections Project, said in an Aug. 18 voted in a presidential election was in 1900, in the state in 2016. In Florida, 67 percent of Brookings.edu article. “I sometimes refer when Americans elected William McKinley the state’s 2016 vote tally have been cast. to it as the ‘storm of the century.’” president. North Carolina, Nevada and Georgia voters “What we know is that we’re headed for This year, all indicators point to a record have come out in droves to vote early. a monster turnout in 2020 and that both voting year that is well on track to blow Incredibly, all of this is occurring in the parties’ voters are highly engaged and moti- past voter turnout in 2016, when 55 percent midst of the coronavirus pandemic, which is vated to vote,” said Cook Political Report of eligible voters cast ballots and chose raging unchecked in large parts of the coun- editor Dave Wasserman, in an Oct. 26 pod- Republican Donald Trump as president. try and as states like New York brace for a cast, 14th & G. Trump faces former Democratic Vice Presi- third wave over the winter. dent Joe Biden in the 2020 election. “This is the most important election of the VOTER APATHY 21st century and possibly in our lifetime,” Not since the 1968 presidential election RECORD TURNOUT IN 2020 said UUP President Fred Kowal, an enthusi- has voter turnout been above 60 percent, With just days to go before Election Day, astic Biden supporter. “Democracy and according to the American Presidency Proj- more than 72 million people have voted, decency are on the ballot. Lives literally ect, a non-partisan online source for presi- according to the U.S. Elections Project. hang in the balance. We need to vote like dential public documents at the University That’s more than 51 percent of the total our lives depend on it because they do.” of California, Santa Barbara. Obama came vote count in 2016. close in 2008 when 57 percent of the elec- Not surprisingly, it’s the 13 battleground WILL MY VOTE COUNT? torate voted. states—Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Geor- Experts say the early voting numbers are The 1960s, which also saw voting rates gia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, being driven by fears—stoked by Trump— over 60 percent in the 1960 and 1964 presi- Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nevada and that votes cast on Election Day or absentee

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 6 ballots postmarked by—but received after— Election Day may not be counted. Legal challenges by Republicans in many states to limit the number of early voting polling places and dictating how and when votes are counted have motivated millions of Americans to stand in lines—sometimes for hours at a time—to cast their votes early. “He tried to continue to convince every- body there’s ways they can play with the vote and undermine the vote,” Biden said of Trump in an Oct. 12 story in The Los Ange- les Times. “They can’t. If we show up, we win. And look what’s happening in early vot- ing all across America—long lines, long lines. We can’t just win—we have to win Go to overwhelmingly, so he can’t be in a position where he can put the phony challenges that https://uupinfo.org/resources/election2020/ he’s talking about.” to learn more. The enthusiasm shown by Kowal and UUP members—who have participated in phone banks, postcard-writing campaigns, virtual meetings, outdoor rallies and other advo- cacy for Biden and Democrat candidates in New York and in swing states, is indicative voter enthusiasm by millennials and Gen Z twenty-five ten-thousandths of a percent of of the excitement across the nation that’s this year is bubbling over, rivaling their all mail-in ballots in 2016 and 2018. spurring people to get out and vote in turnout in the 2008 election for Obama. In Also, Trump’s own FBI director, Christo- record numbers. the new poll, younger voters favored Biden pher Wray, contradicted Trump in his Sept. A big part of what’s spurring that excite- over Trump 63 percent to 25 percent. 24 sworn testimony before the Senate ment, in both parties, is Trump himself, said “Young people have grown up with the Homeland Security Committee. In his testi- Dan Schnur, a professor at the University of fear of school shootings, they’ve witnessed mony, Wray said the FBI hasn’t seen histori- Southern California and host of the podcast the destructive forces of unchecked climate cal evidence of a “coordinated voter fraud “Politics in the Time of Coronavirus.” change, they’ve participated in demonstra- effort” in any U.S. election. “(Trump) is extremely talented at motivat- tions against racial and economic injustice, And in an unprecedented Oct. 6 video ing his own supporters to turn out in un- and they’re hungry for calm, sure-handed message, the directors of the National precedented numbers in red parts of the leadership,” said Justin Tseng, a Harvard Counterintelligence and Security Center, the state and red parts of the country,” Schnur student and chair of the Harvard Public FBI, the National Security Agency, and the told California’s Spectrum News 1 Oct. 5. Opinion Project, which organized the poll. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security “But he’s just as skilled at motivating his Easily one of the most divisive, dismissive Agency reaffirmed their confidence in our opponents to turn out in unprecedented and untruthful presidents in U.S. history, election system. CISA Director Chris Krebs numbers in blue parts of the state and blue Trump has divided the country with his said his confidence in the security of the parts of the country.” handling of the coronavirus pandemic, race election has “has never been higher.” in America, climate change, law enforce- “The process is not rigged,” Kowal said. DIVIDER-IN-CHIEF ment and national security, among so many “Your voice matters. Every voice matters. Millennials and Gen Zers—who are voting other issues. Those that tell you that your vote won’t in their first presidential election—loathe Trump, who, according to The Washington count or that the election process is rigged Trump and have been coming out in droves Post, is on track to tell more than 25,000 lies are lying. Your vote counts.” to vote against him—and in many cases, for during his four-year term, has repeatedly For Kowal and UUP, what matters is that Biden. As of Oct. 28, voters ages 18 to 29 claimed—without proof—that voter fraud is people get out to vote. have cast more than six million early votes, rampant, the election is rigged, and that “In 2016, President Barack Obama per- according to data from NBC News Decision there’s no way it can be fair—unless he wins. fectly summed up the importance of voting Desk/Target Smart, a Democratic political Voter fraud is extremely rare in the U.S. The when he said, ‘Don’t let people tell you that data firm. Just two million young voters cast Washington Post, in a June study, found just what you do doesn’t matter—it does. Don’t ballots at the same time in 2016. 372 cases of potential fraud out of approxi- give away your power,’” Kowal said. “Be An Oct. 26 poll by the Institute of Politics mately 14.6 million ballots cast by mail in the like Obama. Keep your power. Use your at Harvard Kennedy School showed that 2016 and 2018 elections. That amounts to power. Vote.”

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 7 TRUMP BIDEN HIGHER EDUCATION

Trump proposed eliminating the Public Service Loan Biden will strengthen the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Forgiveness program and sought $207 billion in reductions program to provide $10,000 per year of student debt relief to student loan programs over the next 10 years. for those working in public service.

Trump proposed cutting funding for Perkins loans for Biden agrees with the American Academy of Pediatrics disadvantaged students and reducing funding for work- and the AFT that “schools in areas with high levels of study programs and grants to states for career and COVID-19 community spread should not be compelled to technical education. reopen against the judgment of local experts.”

The Trump administration weakened protections for Biden will make colleges and universities more affordable students defrauded by for-pro t colleges or career by supporting a Title I-type program for postsecondary pro teers and reduced debt forgiveness by more than education and making community colleges tuition-free for $500 million. families making less than $125,000 annually.

PHOTO BY ADAM SCHULTZ / BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

For more information about the election, the candidates and the issues that matter, visit AFTvotes.org.

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 8 TRUMP BIDEN K-12 EDUCATION

Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos are trying to Biden supports reopening public schools only when it can force public schools to fully reopen before it is safe, even be done safely, with protections for the health of students, threatening to cut off federal aid to schools that do not teachers and school personnel, including the necessary reopen. personal protective equipment for educators.

Trump canceled the GOP convention in Jacksonville, Fla., Biden agrees with the American Academy of Pediatrics because of the risks to GOP delegates gathering in that and the AFT that “schools in areas with high levels of coronavirus hotspot, yet he has demanded that children COVID-19 community spread should not be compelled to and teachers return to in-person learning in that same reopen against the judgment of local experts.” hotspot.

Biden will provide critical funds for public education, including tripling Title I funding, fully funding the Trump and DeVos have proposed funding cuts for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, expanding the education every year during his administration. number of community schools, and providing universal pre-K.

Trump and DeVos have called for expanding charter Biden opposes private school vouchers and will ban schools and creating a new national private school for-pro t charters while increasing accountability and voucher program, which would divert needed funds from transparency for current charters. public schools.

TRUMP BIDEN

HEALTHCARE

Biden will broaden and improve access to high-quality Trump rejected legislative xes to lower the cost of prescription drugs and allow Medicare to negotiate for prescription drugs. lower prescription drug prices.

In the midst of the pandemic, Trump continues to try Biden will protect and build on the Affordable Care to abolish the Affordable Care Act, putting the health Act, offer a public option to give every American access coverage of millions of Americans at risk and allowing to affordable health insurance, and allow Medicare to insurance companies to deny coverage for pre-existing negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs. medical conditions.

Trump’s budget proposed eliminating $403 million Biden will invest nearly $1 billion over four years to from health professional and nurse workforce training address nursing burnout, faculty recruitment and retention, programs. and nursing workforce diversity.

Biden will expand funding for and access to mental health Trump failed to take substantive action on gun safety, services and will reinstate the Obama-Biden policy to keep threatened to veto bills expanding background checks, guns out of the hands of certain people unable to manage opposed an assault weapon ban and suggested arming their affairs for mental reasons—a policy that Trump teachers with guns. reversed.

PHOTO BY ADAM SCHULTZ / BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 9

TRUMP BIDEN COVID-19 RESPONSE

Trump’s response to the epidemic has been inept, chaotic, Biden has a coordinated, science-based national strategy contradictory and catastrophic. Instead of protecting to combat the pandemic and secure a full economic , he has downplayed the threat, dismissed recovery. He will listen to public health professionals and the advice of our nation’s top scientists and public health ensure that all frontline workers, including educators, have experts, and rushed to reopen without regard to safety. the necessary PPE.

Biden will use the Defense Production Act to combat the Trump failed to provide medical workers the safety gear, COVID-19 pandemic and protect healthcare workers. He COVID-19 test kits and supplies they needed, even after will create a State and Local Emergency Fund that gives more than 60,000 healthcare workers were infected and state and local leaders the power and resources to meet 300 died during the rst four months of the pandemic. critical health and economic needs.

Trump has not secured enough PPE for healthcare Biden will implement a coordinated, nationwide, future- professionals, resulting in the reuse of masks and forcing facing effort to acquire, produce and distribute PPE, test healthcare workers to obtain their own supplies. kits and machines, lab supplies, and other critical supplies.

The Trump administration red the government’s entire pandemic response chain of command, including the White Biden will instruct the CDC to provide clear guidance and House management infrastructure, and even proposed resources about both containment and mitigation for local cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention two school districts, healthcare facilities, higher education and weeks after the coronavirus was a known public health the general public. emergency.

For more information about the election, the candidates and the issues that matter, visit AFTvotes.org.

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 10 TRUMP BIDEN COVID-19 RESPONSE

Trump contradicted public health professionals, including Biden will accelerate a coordinated global approach to suggesting the use of dangerous, disproven drugs such as develop, manufacture and distribute a safe, effective hydroxychloroquine. vaccine.

Trump’s failure to act to contain the coronavirus outbreak Biden will create millions of well-paying jobs, including has contributed to an economic recession on a scale mobilizing at least 100,000 people to support the public unseen since the Great Depression, with tens of millions of health response, and will enact premium pay for frontline Americans out of work. workers putting themselves at risk.

PHOTO BY ADAM SCHULTZ / BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

TRUMP BIDEN

WORKERS’ RIGHTS

Trump appointees to the National Labor Relations Board

have sided against unions, making it easier for employers Biden will empower the NLRB to ful ll its intended to silence workers' voices, including trying to reverse a rule purpose of protecting workers. that allows graduate student workers to form unions.

Trump's solicitor general led an amicus brief in the Janus Biden will support card check, the PRO Act and the Public v. AFSCME case to weaken the voice of public employees Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, making it easier for and their unions. both public and private sector workers to join a union.

Biden will ensure federal dollars do not ow to employers Trump overturned the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces who engage in union-busting activities or violate labor regulations, which required federal contractors to disclose law. He will award contracts to employers who support and correct serious worker safety violations. their workers, including those who pay a $15-per-hour minimum wage and family-sustaining bene ts.

Biden will sign legislation to ensure workers can Trump's Labor Department rescinded the Obama-era joint bargain with the corporation or franchiser—such as employment rule under which employers could be held McDonald's—that actually holds the power and to ensure responsible for wage and hour violations by their staf ng those employers are held accountable for guaranteeing agencies, contractors and franchisees. workplace protections.

The Trump administration has refused to raise the minimum wage; as a result, workers effectively lose more Biden supports a $15-an-hour minimum wage. than $2,500 every year due to ination.

PHOTO BY ADAM SCHULTZ / BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 11

TRUMP BIDEN CLIMATE CHANGE

Trump promotes fossil fuel use, especially coal, and has Biden will launch a national effort aimed at creating jobs selected fossil fuel industry insiders and lobbyists for to build a modern, sustainable infrastructure and deliver key federal posts, including for Environmental Protection an equitable clean energy future. He will ensure these Agency administrator, Interior Department secretary, investments create good union jobs that expand the and secretary of state. He has allowed federal land to be middle class. opened up for new mining and oil drilling leases.

Biden will put the United States on track to achieve a 100 Trump repeatedly worked to reverse the Clean Power percent clean energy economy and reach net-zero emissions Plan—a policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from no later than 2050. Biden will also reinstate environmental power plants—and to rescind the Climate Action Plan. protections overturned by the Trump administration.

The Trump administration rolled back regulations on Biden will stand up to the abuse of power by polluters, methane and offshore drilling, making it easier for especially those who disproportionately harm communities companies to pollute our communities and make them less of color and low-income communities. safe and healthy for everyone.

The Trump administration signi cantly weakened the rule Biden will make a historic investment in our clean requiring automakers to produce more-fuel-ef cient and energy future and environmental justice. His climate less-polluting vehicles. As a result, families and businesses and environmental justice proposal will make a federal will pay an extra $231 billion at the pump between 2021 investment of $1.7 trillion over the next 10 years, and 2035, 13,500 jobs will be eliminated, and cumulative leveraging additional private sector and state and greenhouse gas emissions over this timeframe would local investments to total more than $5 trillion. These increase by 654 million metric tons—the equivalent of investments will directly help the communities that have adding another 140 million cars to the road for one year. been harmed most by climate change. PHOTO BY ADAM SCHULTZ / BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

For more information about the election, the candidates and the issues that matter, visit AFTvotes.org.

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 12 TRUMP BIDEN CLIMATE CHANGE

Biden will launch a national effort aimed at creating jobs Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris to build a modern, sustainable infrastructure and deliver Agreement on climate change, forcing the global climate an equitable clean energy future. He will ensure these community to nd a way forward without the cooperation investments create good union jobs that expand the of the United States. middle class. PHOTO BY ADAM SCHULTZ / BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

TRUMP BIDEN

JOBS AND THE ECONOMY

Trump's tax cuts for the wealthy bene ted the top 1 Biden will repeal the Trump/Republican tax cuts bene ting percent who will get 83 percent of the gains in the bill’s corporations and the wealthiest Americans. nal year.

Under the Trump administration, projections are for Biden will support the American economy by investing 20-30 percent unemployment, which would exceed the $400 billion in products made by American workers. unemployment levels of the Great Depression.

The Trump administration has refused to raise the federal minimum wage, costing workers more than $2,500 Biden supports a $15-an-hour federal minimum wage. annually due to ination.

Under the Trump administration, nearly 1 million people Biden supports providing state, local and tribal who work in education have already lost their jobs in this governments with the aid to fund educators, re ghters, recession and another 1.4 million are in danger of losing healthcare and other essential workers. their jobs.

Trump pledged to eliminate the payroll tax if he’s re- Biden will protect and strengthen Social Security by asking elected this November—a move experts say will totally Americans with especially high wages to pay the same deplete Social Security by 2023. taxes on those earnings that middle-class families pay.

PHOTO BY ADAM SCHULTZ / BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 13

TRUMP BIDEN CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS

The Trump administration has attacked voting rights and Biden has pledged to restore and strengthen the Voting supports voter suppression measures, including making Rights Act, improve voting protections, and prosecute hate it more dif cult for people to vote by mail, potentially crimes against people of color, the LGBTQ community and disenfranchising millions of voters. religious minorities.

Trump's family separation policy resulted in more than Biden will strengthen Deferred Action for Childhood 5,400 children being separated from their parents at the Arrivals and expand protections for Dreamers and border and held in cages. undocumented immigrants.

Trump opposed the passage of the Equality Act, which would provide LGBTQ people with explicit and Biden will make enactment of the Equality Act a priority. comprehensive nondiscrimination protections and would While Biden was vice president, the United States made ll signi cant gaps in our federal civil rights laws for historic strides toward LGBTQ equality. women, people of color and anyone protected under the law.

Trump appointees to the U.S. Supreme Court are Biden will nominate federal judges who are committed to responsible for controversial 5-4 rulings, including those the rule of law, understand the importance of individual that threaten public education, religious liberty, civil rights civil rights and civil liberties, and respect foundational and workers’ voice. precedents.

The Biden administration will restore the Title IX guidance Trump rolled back Title IX guidance on sexual violence for colleges as well as develop stronger enforcement and expanded protections for those accused of sexual protocols. As a senator, Biden spearheaded the Violence harassment, undermining victims’ rights, and he has Against Women Act, and he will continue to build on it as continued to make sexist remarks while in of ce. president.

For more information about the election, the candidates and the issues that matter, visit AFTvotes.org.

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 14 TRUMP BIDEN CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Trump has traf cked in racism and divided our country Biden's running mate, Kamala Harris, is the rst Black with his rhetoric and actions, including separating and Asian American vice presidential nominee. His immigrant families at the border, referring to white administration will root out systemic racism and invest nationalists as “very ne people,” and deploying the more than $20 billion to support criminal justice reform. military to tear-gas peaceful protesters.

Trump repeatedly incited violence against protesters, Biden will make it a priority of the Justice Department to telling supporters to “knock the crap” out of them and prosecute hate crimes committed against people of color, saying the Black Lives Matter movement is "looking for LGBTQ people and religious group members. trouble" and a BLM protester should be “roughed up.”

Biden will address wealth disparity in communities of The Trump administration denied workers overtime pay color, including investing in historically Black colleges and they’ve earned and implemented a new rule that leaves universities and providing new capital and opportunities millions of workers behind—including 3 million workers of for small businesses that have been structurally excluded color. for generations.

Find out more at https://educationvotes.nea.org

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 15 Political endorsements

[ FIGHTING FOR YOU ]

NYSUT endorses candidates for election Nov. 3 his summer NYSUT issued endorse- Teachers and National Education Association. door knocking and literature distribution. The union ments in general election races for state The full slate of general election endorsements is also makes financial contributions from voluntary T Legislature and recommended congres- available for download at nysut.org . donations through VOTE-COPE, the union’s non- sional candidates for endorsements by the union’s Endorsed candidates receive grassroots support partisan political action committee. national affiliates, the American Federation of from NYSUT members, including phone banking,

U.S. House of 11 53 29 70 111 Representatives District 12 Michael N. Gianaris 54 Pamela Helming 30 71 Alfred Taylor 112 1 Nancy Goroff 13 55 31 72 113 2 Jackie Gordon* 14 56 32 Vivian E. Cook 73 114 No Endorsement

3 15 Joseph P . Addabbo Jr. 57 No Endorsement 33 74 115 D. Billy Jones 4 16 58 Leslie Danks Burke 34 Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas 75 Richard Gottfried 116 5 17 No Endorsement 59 No Endorsement 35 Jeffrion L. Aubry 76 117 Z 6 18 60 Sean M. Ryan 36 Zohran Kwame 77 118 7 Nydia M. V elazquez 19 61 Jacqui Berger* Mamdani 78 Jose Rivera 119 8 20 62 No Endorsement 37 Catherine T. Nolan 79 * 120 William Barclay

9 Yvette D. Clarke 21 No Endorsement 63 No Endorsement 38 80 121 Dan Buttermann

10 Jerrold Nadler 22 39 81 122 No Endorsement A New York State 11 Max Rose 23 Diane J. Savino 40 Ronald Kim 82 123 Assembly District Z 12 24 No Endorsement 41 Helene E. Weinstein 83 Carl E. Heastie 124 Randy Reid 1 Jr. 13 A 25 * 42 Rodneyse Bichotte 84 No Endorsement 125 2 Laura Jens-Smith 14 Alexandria 26 Brian Kavanagh 43 Diana C. Richardson 85 No Endorsement 126 Dia Carabajal* 3 Joe DeStefano Ocasio-Cortez 27 44 Robert C. Carroll 86 Victor M. Pichardo 127 Al Stirpe 4 Steven C. Englebright 15 No Endorsement 45 87 128 28 5 Douglas Smith

16 Jamaal Bowman 29 Jose Serrano 46 88 Amy R. Paulin 129 6 17 30 47 89 James Gary Pretlow 130 No Endorsement 7 Jarett Gandolfo 18 31 Robert Jackson 48 90 131 No Endorsement A8 Dylan Rice 19 Antonio Delgado 32 No Endorsement 49 Peter J. Abbate Jr. 91 132 CPhilip A. Palmesano 9 Michael Durso 20 33 J. Gustavo Rivera 50 92 Thomas Abinanti 133 ChaRon 10 Steve Ster n 21 Tedra Cobb 34 51 93 Sattler-Leblanc 11 Kimberly Jean-Pierre 22 Anthony Brindisi 35 Andrea Stewart-Cousins 52 94 No Endorsement 134 Josh Jensen A 12 Michael Marcantonio 23 Tracy Mitrano 36 53 No Endorsement 95 Sandra Galef 135 13 Charles D. Lavine 24 Dana Balter 37 54 Erik Dilan 96 Kenneth Zebrowski 136 14 David McDonough 25 38 Elijah Reichlin-Melnick 55 97 Ellen C. Jaffee 137 15 26 39 James Skou s 56 Stefani Zinerman 98 No Endorsement 138 16 27 Nate McMurray 40 57 No Endorsement 99 Sarita Bhandarkar 139 Stephen M. Hawley 17 41 Karen Smythe 58 N. Nick Perry 100 140 ZWilliam Conrad* SNew York State 18 Taylor Darling 42 59 101 Chad McEv oy * 141 Crystal Peoples-Stokes Senate District 19 Edward P. Ra 43 No Endorsement 60 102 No Endorsement 142 Patrick Burke 1 No Endorsement 20 Gregory Marks 44 Neil D. Breslin 61 103 Kevin Cahill 143 Monica P. Wallace 2 21 Judy Grif n 45 62 Michael Reilly 104 144 Michael Norris 3 22 Michaelle Solages C 46 63 105 No Endorsement 145 4 Philip Boyle 23 A 47 Joseph A. Griffo 64 Brandon Patterson 106 146 Karen McMahon 5 James Gaughran 24 David I. Weprin 48 65 Yuh-Line Niou 107 147 No Endorsement 6 Kevin Thomas 25 49 James Tedisco A 66 Deborah Glick 108 John McDonald III 148 7 26 Edward C. Braunstein 50 John Mannion* 67 Linda B. Rosenthal 109 149 8 27 Daniel Rosenthal 51 Jim Barber 68 No Endorsement 110 Phil Steck 150 Andrew Goodell 9 28 52 No Endorsement 69 Daniel O’Donnell 10 James Sanders Jr. *Indicates NYSUT member

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 16 C

S

S

Election 2020

FourBY DARRYL M CcandidatesGRATH with ties to UUP seek public office

he four candidates for public office in New York this year who have strong ties to UUP find themselves in the midst of an election like no other in the country’s history—but also one in which their union has their back, and then some. A global pandemic that has upended the way candidates interact with voters, and a divisive presidential race that has trickled down Tto local races, are intertwined issues. The smallest municipality is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, and the economic effects of the recession it caused.

VOTE LIKE THE FATE OF THE NATION DEPENDS ON IT UUP has always encouraged its members in get-out-the-vote BERGER GOROFF efforts and has long partnered with its statewide affiliate NYSUT and its national affiliate AFT to reach voters in swing states and battleground states. But this year, as UUP President Fred Kowal has noted, is different; this year, elections are a referendum on the country’s future—and that goes for local elections, as well, where many policies and decisions with statewide ramifications unfold. The Electoral College, environmental decisions, and the selection of judges who may move up to statewide or federal benches—they all start at the local level. “We need to vote, and we need to vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, because the reality is, yes, our country is at stake,” Kowal told the members participating in training sessions and workshops on voter engagement and coalition-building Oct. 16-17. UUP is pitching in harder than ever to make sure that referendum MCEVOY WALLACE comes down on the correct side of history (see related stories, pages 4-7). being in,” said McEvoy, who came from the private sector to SUNY UUP A FORMATIVE EXPERIENCE FOR CANDIDATES Oneonta. “It’s given me the perspective of the value of really being And part of that UUP effort is its support for four candidates part of a union.” for statewide or federal office who are affiliated with the union That perspective has helped his candidacy, he said; he advocates through recent or current membership, all Democrats with NYSUT’s expanding union membership to all job sectors. endorsement: Wallace has especially supported veterans, seniors, people with dis- • Jacqui Berger of Empire State College, and an incumbent Amherst abilities and students in public schools, around issues such as facial deputy town supervisor who is running for the open 61st state Senate recognition technology and other surveillance technology, which she seat in Western New York. The Republican incumbent did not seek has urged a cautious approach to or has outright opposed. The re-election. coronavirus pandemic has inevitably become a central part of most • Nancy Goroff, who is a Stony Brook chemistry professor running campaigns, including these four, because of its effects on health against a Republican incumbent in ’s 1st Congressional care; education; the economy; and low-income populations; older District. endorsed Goroff Oct. 21. people; and communities of color. • Chad McEvoy, an Oneonta Chapter member, who is making his second consecutive attempt for the 101st Assembly District, which is known for severe gerrymandering that has made it a Republican BERGER: A PASSION FOR PUBLIC OFFICE Yet despite these challenges, it is possible to find bright moments stronghold. and even fun ones during an election season conducted largely • Monica Wallace, a UUP member at the University at Buffalo through the shutdowns and restrictions of the pandemic. Jacqui School of Law who is seeking re-election to the 143rd Assembly Berger noted this during an hour-long interview with The Echo in District. which she marveled at finding a passion for public office in her late All four are running on platforms that tout their connections to 50s, and then realizing that she wanted to take that passion to the public education and labor. “UUP is the one and only union I’ve ever had the pleasure of see CANDIDATES, page 37

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 17 BallotsUUP must be returned by Nov.ELECTIONS 25

DelegatesBY MICHAEL LISI to vote by mail forthe same statewide as the present ratio, of theleaders 11 people to be elected, six must be academics and five must be professionals. t a special Sept. 25 virtual Delegate Assembly, UUP In accordance with DA policy, candidates running for statewide delegates approved a temporary constitutional elective positions may submit statements, which are then made amendment that allows UUP’s statewide election to available to all bargaining unit members. take place without any in-person voting—an unprece- Statements longer than 500 words are set in smaller type to give dented step caused by the coronavirus pandemic. all candidates equal space. The statements are printed as received, Since then, the statewide Executive Board voted to re-elect UUP with minor editing for consistency of style. President Fred Kowal and Secretary/Treasurer Jeri O’Bryan-Losee, Statements and photographs of those union candidates who chose Abecause they ran unopposed (see related story, page 20). to submit them can be found on pages 20-34; they are also posted Delegates will mail in their ballots to elect a statewide member- on the union’s Statewide Elections webpage. ship development officer and eight Executive Board members in the Note: UUP policy prohibits the use of UUP or state special statewide election. All elections are for three-year terms. equipment or resources (including email) to produce or Nominations were due by Oct. 21. Ballots were mailed out distribute campaign material for UUP elections. Oct. 28 to seated delegates; they must be returned by 5 p.m. Nov. 25. Ballots will be counted Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Copies of the policy on the distribution of campaign material The election was originally scheduled to be held at the 2020 can be found below, at chapter offices, or by contacting O’Bryan- Spring DA in April. That event was canceled due to the pandemic. Losee at [email protected], at (800) 342-4206 or If the membership ratio of academics to professionals remains at uupinfo.org/elections.

UUP Policies and Procedures for Distributing Campaign Literature o provide equal and uniform ture. Candidates shall sign a statement gov- access to all candidates for the dis- erning the use of mailing labels and limiting tribution of campaign literature, UUP their use to UUP elections. Twill use the following policies and procedures Such signed statements shall be submitted in the conduct of its elections. to the Office of the Secretary/Treasurer of Candidate Equally important, the following policies UUP, which shall check eligibility and the and procedures ensure members’ privacy parameters of the mailing labels. All declared statements and fulfill UUP’s obligation to conduct fair candidates may obtain mailing labels by and honest elections. contacting the UUP Secretary/Treasurer’s All duly declared candidates shall have Office in writing (or by email) using the form can be found equal access to appropriate membership on page 19. Such requests must specify the information, to mailing privileges and to category(ies) of eligible members for whom on pages 20-34. publications of UUP in accordance with they wish labels. Candidates will cover the procedures issued by the UUP Constitution cost of labels and mailing. and Governance Committee. Mailing labels will include only UUP Dele- Duly declared candidates may request gates in good standing as of the certification mailing labels of members’ last known home date for eligibility to participate in a given addresses for distribution of campaign litera- election.

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 18 Candidates must specify in their formal requests which categories • Retired Professional Elected Delegates, including of eligible members they wish to receive their mailings. Contingents, Only • Contingents Only (Professional) Officers and/or Executive Board: UUP will not be involved in any other distribution of campaign • All Elected Delegates, including Contingents, (Regular literature for candidates, except for official publications that provide and Retired) for candidate statements on an equal and uniform basis. • Regular Elected Delegates, including Contingents, Only UUP and NYSUT provide a variety of lists and labels of members’ (Academic and Professional) home addresses necessary for UUP to conduct its programs and • Retired Elected Delegates, including Contingents, Only business. Candidates may not access or use these in the distribution (Academic and Professional) of campaign literature, except for the printed list available in the • Contingents Only (Academic and Professional) Chapter Office provided by the Constitution and Governance • All Academic Elected Delegates, including Contingents, Committee and/or the Leadership Directory. (Regular and Retired) In election years, UUP will publish these policies and procedures in • Regular Academic Elected Delegates, including The Voice or The Echo and post them on the UUP website prior to Contingents, Only the election cycle. A copy will be in each Chapter Office and upon • Retired Academic Elected Delegates Only request to the Secretary/Treasurer. • Contingents Only (Academic) The Secretary/Treasurer and the Constitution and Governance • All Professional Elected Delegates, including Contingents, Committee will be responsible for implementing these policies (Regular and Retired) and procedures. Questions should be directed to the • Regular Professional Elected Delegates, including Secretary/Treasurer. Contingents, Only

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 19 UUP ELECTIONS Kowal,BY MICHAEL LISI O’Bryan-Losee run unopposed; win re-election Kowal is a professor of political science and Native American stud- red Kowal has been re-elected to a fourth term as UUP ies at SUNY Cobleskill. president. O’Bryan-Losee, the union’s first secretary/treasurer, is the director of Science and Technology Programs at SUNY Morrisville. At its Oct. 23 virtual meeting, the union’s statewide “I believe in this union and the good work that we do,” she said. Executive Board unanimously elected Kowal to a three- “I look forward to continuing that work with UUP’s statewide officers year term. Statewide Secretary/Treasurer Jeri O’Bryan-Losee was and leaders and our members across the state.” also re-elected; she won her second three-year term. Delegates approved the mail-in election at a special virtual Dele- Kowal and O’Bryan-Losee were running unopposed, which enabled gate Assembly in September. The election was set to take place at Fthe board to approve their re-election. Their candidate statements the 2020 Spring Delegate Assembly; that event was cancelled due follow. to the coronavirus pandemic. UUP delegates, who usually elect the union’s leaders in person, Statewide MDO Tom Hoey is in a contested election for MDO; he will elect a statewide membership development officer and eight faces Executive Board member and New Paltz Chapter President Executive Board members in a special mail-ballot election. Paper Beth E. Wilson. Hoey, an Albany Chapter member, was elected to his ballots will be mailed to delegates Oct. 28; ballots will be counted first full term as MDO in 2017. He has been MDO since February Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. 2016, when he was elected to fill a vacancy. “My goal continues to be ambitious: To make UUP more than a Two dozen delegates are running for eight board seats up for union,” Kowal said. “We must be a force for justice, for the creation election. Their statements begin on page 22. of a better society, one that is healed of the wounds of racism, Candidate statements are also posted on UUP’s website at environmental injustice and the crushing weight of economic https://uupinfo.org/elections/nominees/statewide. exploitation. The power is in our hands.”

for President

UUP have stood firm. We were on the policymakers in this state see us as a united Frederick E. Kowal front lines, fighting to contain it in force to be listened to and respected. , Stony Brook, Syracuse and That is how we were able to convince Cobleskill Buffalo. Some of our comrades lost their SUNY and the leadership of the state, that I write this having been already elected for another lives, but New York survived. We all owe our position on a safe fall reopening was cor- term as UUP president, with the Executive Board taking a great debt of gratitude to our fellow rect. Though it was too late to keep the crisis the necessary step at its last meeting. unionists at the SUNY hospitals. We also from developing at Oneonta and Cortland, the Without a doubt, this election and these times are the owe them an unceasing effort to secure new leadership of SUNY has embraced our most unique and uniquely challenging in our union’s his- for them hazardous duty pay—and so call for expansive, regular testing of as many tory. So, I take up the task of serving as your president much more—because of their service. members of the SUNY community as possible. with a great deal of humility and commitment. We are We live because of this service. I will And going into the next semester, we are engaged in struggles which we cannot lose: protecting never relent in my efforts to gain for our working strenuously to ensure that the start the health and safety of our communities, ensuring the members what they deserve. KOWAL of that semester is marked by comprehensive long-term security of all of our members in their profes- But a fight for money was not what baseline testing for everyone returning to sional lives, and making our union the leading force in our members needed in March, April and May. They were campus, followed by surveillance testing that is even creating a more just, green and humane society. vulnerable, left unprotected by a state that had aban- more extensive than presently occurring across SUNY. We have come far over the past several years, and doned its obligation to these state institutions. UUP did We also continue to work to ensure that our telecom- thanks to the work of countless volunteer activists, we not stand by in this crisis. We used every resource at our muting agreement—a historic and very necessary step have built a strong foundation for continued growth in disposal to track down—anywhere in the world—the PPE by the state—is extended for the foreseeable future and membership activism and political power that are crucial that our members needed. And we will continue to do so that it is interpreted liberally by every department on for our union’s future. Working with you over the last for all our members—from Residential Life professionals every campus. This will take a great deal of work by all seven years in this role has only solidified my pride in to adjunct faculty—all who are working in conditions that of the officers of UUP, all chapter leaders, and the LRS being part of this dynamic union. We are ready to face threaten their health and well-being. staff we depend upon. We must fight for every mem- the massive challenges that lie ahead of us. These fights will not be won unless we stand united. ber’s right to be protected and not relent until we know With our nation losing ground daily to the COVID We are a widely dispersed union, but we have power if that they are. Our members are counting on us, and I pandemic, it is imperative that our union remain united we speak with one voice, and only if that voice calls out guarantee you that I will continue to work like hell for and strong. The threats posed by this disease are terri- for justice and fairness for all in our society. It is good for everyone in this great union. ble and demand strong action from all of us. The Trump us to debate and discuss how best to take up the chal- To build back from the present crisis and the damage Administration has exacerbated all aspects of the pan- lenges of protecting ourselves, each other and our com- caused by the economic collapse caused by COVID, we demic, from its reach to its deadly nature. But we in munities, but we will only achieve that protection if the must be ready to advocate more aggressively than ever

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 20 for more resources to support the great work we do to- tantly, we’ve developed a growing army of activists com- known to legislators and having had those issues em- gether. This starts with our rally Nov. 10 in support of mitted to our union’s work. braced by the Speaker and the Majority Leader has the reinstatement of the tax on stock transfers. Such a We can also be proud of our contract, negotiated and given us the potential for real success in the next several tax, together with a fair increase in tax rates for ultra- ratified in 2018. That contract attracted the highest vote years. We do not advocate for money alone, but for a millionaires, is the best way to help New York escape total of any in our history, and the highest percent of yes greater vision for SUNY for the future and the everyday from the COVID Depression. The financial windfall for votes as well. The contract contained historic firsts from results that improve our lives. the state will only help us if we fight for the changes which we can build going forward. We must improve Through our groundbreaking document, NY25, we needed, and if we are forward-thinking in providing pol- dramatically the salaries and job security of adjuncts, in- have begun conversations with our members, chapter icy proposals that help modernize SUNY and recreate crease funding to address compression, fight back leaders, allies in groups like NY Renews, legislators and parts of the university system to better serve the needs against decades of workload creep, and demand respect SUNY intended to spark continuous discussion and artic- of New York. From investment in health care infrastruc- for our work and dedication—which has for far too long ulation of an evolving vision of what SUNY and our state ture to the urgently needed green transformation, from been taken advantage of by SUNY and the state. None can be for the future. Our political power can make a dif- aggressive steps to diversify SUNY’s administrations and of this will be accomplished easily. Each day, we will use ference in that work, but we must do it together. staffing to massive expansion of financial support for our collective voice to advocate, and with a strong set of My goal continues to be ambitious: To make UUP students, we can achieve the kind of lasting, positive established gains to build on, we look forward to our more than a union. We must be a force for justice, for change necessary to keep SUNY accessible and afford- next round of negotiations. the creation of a better society, one that is healed of the able and allow it to continue providing the world-class Our political power has dramatically increased over wounds of racism, environmental injustice and the educational experience our students expect. the past year. As we have become an independent force, crushing weight of economic exploitation. The power is We can achieve all that we strive for, because we have we have become strong advocates at both the federal in our hands. Now, in the midst of this once in a century a great record of success over the past several years. and state levels to protect and promote our work, our crisis, we have the opportunity to create real change. I We can be justifiably proud of how well our union has university, and our future. With nonstop advocacy year- hope you will join me. I’m ready to start. weathered the Janus decision in 2018. Our membership round, joined to public actions by members across UUP Thank you for all you do for our union and for your has remained with us and has, in fact, grown since that chapters, we are respected by policymakers in Albany support. misguided ruling by the Supreme Court. More impor- like never before. Our success in making our issues Let’s get to work.

for Secretary/Treasurer

worked to ensure chapter affiliate opportunities, conferences Jeri O’Bryan-Losee office space and equipment and member benefits. Morrisville properly upgraded. Reaching beyond terms and condi- Hello, Administratively, I’ve worked tions, the work I am doing with I am asking for your vote for UUP closely with members and UUP/AFT Student Debt Clinics is statewide Secretary/Treasurer. Serving the committees to update and cre- impacting the lives of our members. past three years in UUP’s first combined ate effective policies and prac- Learning about income-drive repay- position has been challenging and rewarding. tices to educate members about ment plans and the Student Loan From the Janus decision through COVID-19, who we are as a union, how to Forgiveness Program has made a the demands of this office are ever chang- participate in shaping UUP. difference to members, their families ing. Balancing emerging issues, financial sta- I also ensure proper internal O’BRYAN-LOSEE and their communities. I am work- bility and the day-to-day operations of the practices are in place to protect ing to develop online delivery of union means no two days are alike. our members from ever-changing external clinics to reach those who work in multiple My first priority continues to be enhancing threats. locations or have multiple job and family the fiscal strength of UUP. I work with chap- Legal challenges and Veritas-like messages responsibilities. ter treasurers, the Finance Committee and I’ve received typically question processes. The most rewarding and informative our auditors to ensure support is available to My skills in operationalizing procedures and parts of my work are discussions, emails all who need it and the appropriate financial coordinating project management have been and texts from members. Talking to a and legal processes are in place. UUP’s audit applied to quickly develop clear, consistent person who thought they couldn’t use the ratings continue to be ranked at the highest post-Janus procedures and improve knowl- Space Available tuition benefit or the BTF level possible. I’ve worked closely with UUP edge and access to UUP. scholarship because they are contingent, state and chapter leaders to ensure budget I oversaw development of the website, discussing UUP with someone considering proposals for the Delegate Assembly reflect making it more accessible and structured to quitting, listening to someone inquiring the needs of our members. educate those who are less familiar with the about the Legal Defense Fund or working I upgraded our webinar service to improve union’s work. It created a space to answer with retirees to map out their webpages statewide committee communication, effec- the “why” and “how” of UUP and relays is what the union is all about. I value mak- tively deliver of NEOs and benefit fairs, train UUP’s importance to new employees and ing personal connections, working with chapter assistants and treasurers, and offer members alike. The site will continue to people from different places who need webinars for delegates. To support members highlight member opportunities for involve- different things, and come together for the as the driving force of our union, I’ve ment in statewide committees, trainings, greater good.

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 21 for Membership Development Officer

a lot, including record mem- release time from my University at Thomas C. Hoey bership numbers, a redesigned Albany position. Like the other Albany membership card and kit, and statewide UUP officers, the MDO I ask you to support my candidacy for T-shirts designed for women. position is more than a full-time re-election as MDO of UUP so we can I also recruited over 60 UUP job! Furthermore, working at the build on our past accomplishments and members who graduated from Albany campus gives me a particu- effectively address future challenges. the NYSUT Membership larly good understanding of our As your MDO, I am proud of the work Organizing Institute, and I members’ workplace issues. we have done together. I have worked applaud them for their work Finally, as a member of the Albany collaboratively and diligently with our and commitment. They have HOEY City Council, I have developed a statewide and chapter leadership to con- become dedicated chapter working relationship with NYS front the difficult challenges facing UUP. activists. With your assistance, Assembly Higher Education Com- A major challenge was the Supreme Court I have visited every chapter around the mittee members Patricia Fahy and John decision in Janus v. AFSCME, which state. Thank you for your invitations! McDonald, which is helping UUP with its threatened our union’s existence. Fortu- But our work isn’t done yet. Here are legislative advocacy work. nately, by grassroots organizing and a few projects I plan to work on if re- My commitment to our union comes heightened member participation, we suc- elected: Continuing to work with chapter deeply from my heart and soul. I was ceeded in limiting membership losses and leaders and the statewide Membership widowed in 2001, and it was our union increased our overall union membership. Committee to expand our department rep- that helped me through a difficult time Implementing our statewide leadership’s resentative system; continuing to increase by involving me in union activities. That agenda is an important part of my day-to- member activism; promoting and expand- increased involvement enabled me to day work. Overseeing the organizers as- ing our new virtual Employee Orientation rebuild my life and career, starting a new signed to the chapters has given me the Program; working with statewide UUP family and passing on our union values opportunity to develop a more effective and leaders to develop more virtual workshops to my 13-year-old son, Max. In return, efficient program of internal organizing. and meetings. I want to contribute to UUP and to the When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we were Working and living only 10 minutes from state university. Indeed, I hope to spend prepared to communicate in a virtual world. UUP headquarters enables me to put in the rest of my life helping others. Working together, we have accomplished more than my allocated two days a week Will you join me?

sional or academic. Cultivating own dynamic union power. UUP statewide Beth E. Wilson this rank-and-file foundation is in a position to support the chapters in will be essential if we hope to this work, by developing useful tools and NewOur union Paltz is about to face its have the leverage we will resources (like a 21st century database), biggest challenge yet, as we await need to fight to preserve af- and by working individually with chapter the announcement of devastating fordable, accessible public leadership to suggest new ways of budget cuts to SUNY. Our cam- higher education in New York approaching their specific problems. puses, already starved for re- state, and especially to posi- I have been teaching at SUNY New Paltz sources from over a decade of tion ourselves in our next since 1994, half of that time as an ad- austerity, will be struggling with round of negotiations, which junct. I am currently a full-time contingent difficult decisions about where to WILSON will be starting soon. lecturer. I have been active in UUP at the apply even deeper cuts to make As MDO, I will seek to de- chapter and statewide level, serving as up for the loss of state resources. velop, in consultation with the president chapter president since 2015, a member UUP is fortunate to have a core of and the other officers, a coordinated frame- of the statewide board since 2013, and a dedicated union activists—those of you work of short-, medium- and long-term member of the last Negotiations Team. In who are delegates have demonstrated organizing goals. We need to build ongoing addition to my long service on the UUP your commitment already!—but we must capacity at the chapter level for member Contingent Employment Committee, I am develop a robust program of membership organizing and workplace actions to resist currently co-chair of the Hudson Valley development at the chapter level, if we austerity. We must attend to member edu- Area Labor Federation Education Commit- are to address the gravity of the situation cation, emphasizing labor history and fun- tee, which has been producing monthly facing us. This work started with Janus, damental principles of union organizing. I Zoom panel discussions on topics of labor but it needs to go much farther. Building will focus on working with the chapters, via interest, working to create (sometimes the power of our union means more than the Membership Committee, chapter MDOs, elusive) solidarity across the labor move- just maintaining our membership num- and our paid Organizing staff to help them ment. I hope to bring the breadth and bers; it means building an active culture build an active and member-driven infra- depth of my organizing experience to the of organizing and solidarity among our structure (dept rep systems, chapter mem- job of MDO. members. We need to make UUP a mem- bership committees, etc.) that will enable Thank you for your consideration, and ber-driven union, one that fights for every our chapters to build and maintain their I will be deeply grateful for your vote. member—whether contingent, profes-

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 22 for Executive Board the active participation of our Our members were putting Redetha Abrahams Nichols members at both the local and their lives and the lives of their Downstate statewide level. We demon- families on the line. We were Dear delegates, strated this balance as a hospital able to work with our statewide My name is Redetha Abrahams Nichols during the COVID-19 pandemic. leadership to secure PPE, child and I am seeking your support in my As the assistant director of nurs- care, housing, transportation and campaign to be elected to the Executive ing in the emergency depart- lunches, amongst other things. Board. ment during the pandemic, I Our union was present and work- Over the past decade, I’ve had the honor was on the frontline and saw ing diligently to support our staff. of being a member of the Downstate Chap- these results first hand. ABRAHAMS NICHOLS The pandemic has heightened ter Governing Board, a department repre- Being a union activist in addi- my awareness of the many chal- sentative and a delegate to the UUP’s tion to supervising and caring lenges we face as a union. Delegate Assembly. During this time I’ve for my patients, I advocated for PPE and I believe that due to my experience, represented UUP at several NYSUT Repre- resources for my union colleagues. During my ability to be a good listener and the sentatives Assemblies, as well as AFT con- this time my direct contact was my Chap- willingness to act on the concerns of all ventions. This included working with our ter President Rowena Blackman-Stroud. of our UUP members that I can fairly chapter leadership on several projects, in- We had numerous conversations and dis- represent the varied interests of your cluding coalition building to save jobs and cussions about the needs, concerns and membership on the statewide Executive to stop the closure of our hospital. information that our members wanted and Board. I ask for your support in the The strength of our union depends on deserved. coming election.

conviction that I can contribute by contingent faculty, insisting Bret Benjamin to our union and to the broader that the casualization of aca- Albany labor movement. demic labor undermines the My involvement in the union has been My sustained record of involve- academic mission, and at the among the most rewarding aspects of my ment at both the chapter and same time represents a grave 20-year tenure at SUNY Albany. I began statewide levels prepares me for labor injustice to the workers my career interacting mainly with other the Exec Board. I was among a whose egregious lack of com- academics in my home department, Eng- group of Albany delegates who pensation and protection puts lish. The union opened for me a broader re-energized our chapter in the them at perpetual risk. I was sphere of social and political engagement. wake of devastating campus BENJAMIN among the members of the Through UUP I build strong ties with co- cuts and program closures. Negotiations Team tasked with workers—academics and professionals, I have served as chapter presi- integrating the family leave contingent and tenure-line—across my dent, vice president for academics, and statute with the particular needs of a university and across the SUNY system. am now the grievance officer. I have university workforce. UUP helped me see my work in relation to chaired and participated in a number of I have worked to educate and activate the grand but embattled project of public statewide committees. Most notably, I members through chapter-level campaigns higher education, the radical ideals upon served in key roles on the most recent aimed at improving work-lives, acting on which it is based and the material threats Negotiations Team, a process that taught the principle that unions allow workers it now faces. Union involvement has me a great deal about the varied nature of to have a say in the decisions that most helped me understand the relationship our bargaining unit, and about the sorts of directly affect them, and about which they between labor organizing in my workplace benefits and protections that we as a have the greatest expertise. and the larger Left struggles for a more union both have and have not been able I have worked to craft intelligent, princi- humane, more equitable, and more just to provide our members. This experience pled solutions, and to advocate aggres- society with which I have always associ- has helped clarify for me key points of sively for a better University and a better ated myself. common interest and potential fissure union. My decision to run for the Executive within our bargaining unit, making me a I pledge to bring these principles and Board, therefore, is both an acknowledge- better organizer. energies to my work on the Exec Board, ment of how much my involvement with In concrete terms, I have been a should I be so fortunate to receive your UUP has meant to me personally, and a staunch supporter of the struggles waged votes at the DA.

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currently underrepresented group the best, but we have to pre- Elise Bowe to the table. As a member of the pare for the worst. It is time to Upstate board, I will advocate for UUP to build power and prepare mem- My name is Elise Bowe, and I am a begin an assessment of staffing bers for direct action to save clinical laboratory technician at Upstate ratios in our hospitals. Safe our jobs and SUNY. UUP is at University Hospital. I am currently a dele- staffing levels save lives, and our a crossroads where we must gate and Membership Committee chairper- members have a right to a work decide if we are content to son at Upstate Medical University Chapter. environment without the added maintain “business as usual” or I am an alumni of University at Buffalo, stress of frequent short-staffing. if we will build strength from and my spouse, siblings, mother and Our working conditions are the BOWE our members. We are a diverse grandmother are all graduates of SUNY healing conditions of our patients union of people with all sorts of institutions. The importance of affordable, and learning conditions of our knowledge and abilities; our quality public higher education is not lost students. We must fight for written con- rank-and-file members are the seat of our on me. I was raised in a union family with tract language that lays strict limits on power, and must be active in all decision a strong sense of working-class values. mandatory overtime for all members. making. I will strive to make all our mem- My father works for his union and he The COVID-19 pandemic has further bers seen and heard by the statewide taught me many lessons of solidarity and devastated the New York state budget, officers and Executive Board. It is time to union power. and Gov. Cuomo has already made clear blaze a new path for our union in these Our Executive Board should better reflect that he plans to cut education as a cost- troubling times of anti-union attacks, and our membership. As an SL1 hospital em- saving measure. Our union must continue I hope you’ll give me the chance to help ployee, I will bring the perspective of this strong advocacy for funding and hope for lead the way.

tremendous numbers, thanks chair, I have worked with the com- Ellen M. Boyd to the SB HSC Membership mittee co-chair and vice chairs on Stony Brook HSC Committee, officers and my- a monthly basis to expedite and My name is Ellen M. Boyd. I am running self. The membership at SB schedule webinars, conference for a seat on the UUP statewide Executive HSC became more active leg- calls thru “real time” and DAs, and Board. I believe I am ready to take on the islatively and socially. I have thru the COVID-19 pandemic. The demands of this position. organized fundraisers, mem- minutes, attendance reports and I have been a UUP member since 2001 bership drives, membership reports are kept up to date for this and an elected delegate representing the outings, and various other statewide committee. members of the SB HSC Chapter since community events to support BOYD I am energetic and compassion- 2009 to present. our members and UUP. The ate about my union positions. I am I currently serve on various chapter events were organized for the a dependable, hard worker who committees; such as Membership (con- majority of the months throughout these completes projects that she sets out to centrating on review of the fee payer list past years, using a timeline concept. start. I am confident that I have both the and analyze and compile reports for the I currently serve as the statewide co- organizational skills and experience chapter membership that relate to chair for the United University Professions needed to meet the challenges of this temp/term appointments) and the College (UUP) Membership Committee, a position important role. Review Panel. that I have held since 2013. This function Please consider supporting my run for a I served as the SB HSC membership has enabled me to interact with key state seat on the UUP statewide Executive development chairperson, 2011-2018, one UUP officers, legislative director, organiz- Board by casting your vote for Ellen M. of the largest UUP chapters and medical ing director and UUP organizers, and build Boyd, MPS. I will work hard and not let campuses. Our membership grew by relationships with sister chapters. As a co- you down.

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ICC provides monthly educa- NY representatives to ask them to fully Rebecca Bryan tional and community organ- fund specific titles in the Every Student Cortland izing events. This month we Succeeds Act (ESSA). It is an invalu- Hello union activists, held a meeting on the state able experience to teach students how My name is Rebecca Bryan and I am run- of health equity in New York to advocate for their profession. ning for re-election as an academic repre- and Cortland County, with a During UUP’s advocacy I also planned sentative to UUP’s statewide Executive special focus on women’s and a #Fund SUNY Now rally at Cortland, Board. I am completing my first term and mental health. Next month partnering with SGA and NYPIRG. You would be honored to continue representing we will be holding a meeting can view the press release and a all of you. with Citizens’ Climate Lobby livestream of the rally at https://cortland I have been an active union leader my (CCL). CCL is a nonpartisan BRYAN voice.com/2020/03/05/uup-cortland- entire professional career in multiple states. organization that advocates members-rally-demand-more-state-aid- Since arriving in New York in 2014, I have for climate legislation. The presentation will for-suny-video-included/ been on the Cortland Chapter executive focus on the Energy Innovation and Carbon In everything I do, my union values of board, served as a delegate, chapter secre- Dividend Act (HR 763), a bill attractive to equality, integrity and justice guide me. tary, political action coordinator, and mem- both Democrats and Republicans that re- These values drive me to protect the rights bership development officer. I serve on duces carbon emissions by 40 percent in 10 of workers to unionize for fair and just work- statewide committees, including the Teacher years, while driving economic growth and ing conditions, and the fair treatment and Education Task Force, the Political Action protecting low-income Americans. compensation of all workers. My values are Committee, the Membership Committee, I am politically active at the local, state grounded in compassion with a strong belief and as an Executive Board liaison to the and national level. I am currently petitioning in the common good, of which public higher Women’s Rights and Concerns Committee. I to be a delegate to the Judicial Convention education is. I believe that union organizing also serve on the Drescher Awards Commit- for the 6th Judicial and 125th Assembly Dis- is not about signing a card; it is about em- tee and am co-chair of the Campus Grants trict. I recently returned from taking eight powering others and changing peoples’ Committee for Joint Labor-Management. Physical Education Teacher Education lives. I am asking for your vote to continue Off campus, I am a trustee to the Midstate (PETE) majors to Washington, D.C., to advo- this work and changing the lives of our Central Labor Council (CLC) and am a co- cate for physical education and health in members and students by serving you on chair of Indivisible Cortland County (ICC). schools. Students were able to meet with the Executive Board.

tant it is for individuals to feel manner. I intend to clearly com- Sidney Contreras the support of their union and municate with all constituencies Optometry to speak clearly and concisely with enthusiasm and express the My name is Sidney Contreras and I on their behalf. I would like to care and concerns for each of our would like to take this opportunity to be a board member that works member’s needs. I am eager to express my desire to become a member side by side with other UUP take full charge in this role. of the UUP’s statewide Executive Board. leaders, keeps the members In closing, I truly believe that the As a family man, I’m a proud Dad to a thoroughly informed, and decisions made today will not only 7-year-old daughter. I’m also a proud, voices the concerns of the affect UUP, but will also impact on long-suffering Knicks fan. I’m enthusiastic members. My plan is to formu- CONTRERAS the future of our children and loved for what is to come and am hoping to late and solidify proper expla- ones. I encourage them to have a leave a positive influence for the future of nations that are in the best interests of all. voice and speak their truths. my family and for my daughter. I believe we all should have a voice. I The below quotes inspire and resonate I currently serve as a delegate at SUNY also believe that it is important to have a with me personally. College of Optometry. This position has strong and effective voice when it comes “Leadership and learning are indispen- given me the experience necessary to lis- to properly communicating matters. If sable to each other.” — John F. Kennedy ten to the needs of my members and to elected, I will plan to effectively settle “Change will not come if we wait for help them understand what the union can matters with all parties during times of some other person or some other time. do for them and with them, which I believe negotiation. I will work to be the best liai- We are the ones we’ve been waiting is key to being an effective board member. son between UUP and its members and for. We are the change that we seek.” Through my delegate responsibilities, I make it my duty to ensure that policies — Barack Obama have a full comprehension of how impor- and procedures are carried out in a proper Thanks for your consideration.

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of our members, students and all ration date for vacation and holiday Phil Glick the other SUNY campus community banks; more contractual support for Buffalo HSC members our highest priority. I contingent faculty and other vulnerable My name is Phil Glick (he/his/him). I am asking chair the UUP statewide Health and members; guaranteeing the use of accu- you to support and to vote for me for the UUP Safety Committee; with its mem- rate and annual performance program Executive Board (EB). I am our Buffalo HSC bers’ expertise, we advise UUP as documents and performance reviews for Chapter’s president. I am an academic pediatric we navigate this pandemic. our professional colleagues; continually surgeon and have over 30 years of leadership But there are still more chal- improving the compression/inversion experience at UB, the Jacob’s School of Medicine lenges than the COVID-19 methodology at the SUNY and campus and Biomedical Sciences and the affiliated teach- pandemic that UUP must address. levels; making SDI award criteria more ing hospitals in WNY. Prior to becoming chapter To recognize the events that are objective and less subjective; making president, I served four years as the presiding tearing at the fabric of our coun- GLICK the IDA award process more seamless; officer of the UB Faculty Senate and UB’s AMC try’s democracy, UUP has also and, most important, advocate for more senator to the SUNY UFS; in 2018, we were prioritized, mostly via advocacy activities, to bring federal and state money for higher education and awarded the SUNY Shared Governance Award. attention to the Black Lives Matters movement, specifically SUNY. This has given me great insights into the aca- systemic racism in our country, other issues of Pre-pandemic, we were in direct but intermit- demic, professional, contractual and clinical sides social injustice, climate injustice, economic tent contact with the statewide union primarily of our campus, the other 33 SUNY campuses, injustice and the existential importance of the during contract negotiations, at DAs, when partic- SUNY administration, NYS DOH and NYS ED, and upcoming national elections. I strongly support ipating in statewide committee meetings and to local, state and national “electeds.” all these efforts. assist with local chapter issues. Now we are hav- In ordinary times, I would emphasize to you As an EB member, I would favor the considera- ing virtual leadership meetings together two to that I’m committed to promoting the core aims tion of: Taylor Law modifications to allow strikes; four times per week and have been offering a of UUP: to improve the terms and conditions of an independent UUP PAC for more advocacy myriad of informational and professional develop- employment, to promote mutual assistance and autonomy; contract and budgetary negotiations ment webinars and town hall meetings for all our cooperation among the members, to advance to assure we preserve our chapter organizers; members. Now more than ever, our statewide education in a democracy and democracy in require all campuses to comply with Article 43 officers and EB members are playing an essential education, to promote the principle of unity and campus health and safety committees; improve role to your conditions of employment, profes- collective bargaining, and to defend the civil, pro- availability of mental health care providers to our sional development and personal health, safety fessional and human rights of our members. And members and their dependents; advocacy to re- and well-being. I would like to share my experi- this is all true! But these are not ordinary times! quire SUNY to provide more capital expenditures ence, advocacy and energy at the statewide level My candidate’s statement picture with a mask is a for essential infrastructure maintenance particu- and become a member of the EB. To quote Leslie metaphor for UUP leadership and priorities during larly antiquated HVAC systems; extension of the Odom Jr., aka Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March of 2020, telecommuting MOU; extension of the mandatory Hamilton, “I want to be on the Zoom where it the local chapter, the statewide officers, UUP HQ, testing MOU; grandfathering in of new members happens!” chapter organizers and chapter LRSs and support to the COVID-19 tenure clock MOU; guaranteeing Thank you in advance for your support and staff have made the health, safety and well-being all frontline staff hazard pay; extending the expi- vote, Phil.

2019, according to NEA) is we have and fight for the Peter Ikeler below the national average changes we need. In short, we Old Westbury among four-year public need an organizing model of UUP is the largest higher ed union in colleges ($91,243), despite unionism in which “organizing” the most union-friendly state in the coun- New York being the fourth- means more than phone-banking try. We should be leading the charge for most expensive state to live and signing member cards. contingent pay equity, high wages and in. And now with pending If elected to the Executive affordable benefits for all, as well as deep austerity and health risks Board, I and the Member Action tuition-free college and the state support due to COVID-19 we face the Coalition (MAC) will push for and progressive tax structure these fight of our lives. As a union, IKELER such transformation of our inter- require. Instead, we’re tailing. we need to stand up to these nal culture and external activism. Even before COVID-19, SUNY and our challenges, effectively fighting Currently, I am a third-term aca- members had been dealt more than a for every single member, our students demic delegate and associate professor decade of austerity, hurting our ability and the broader public we serve. of sociology at the Old Westbury Chapter, to provide top-notch public education. We can neither win nor lead on these which I and other MAC members have Adjuncts in neighboring systems such as fronts with a model of unionism based recently reinvigorated. I bring the per- CUNY, Rutgers and UMass earn nearly primarily on back-room negotiations, spective of a new generation of UUP $5,000 per course while enjoying consid- public relations and lobbying. We need activists and from those of us making erably greater job protections. Average to organize the power and democracy of due on our contractual wages in the pay for our full-time faculty ($88,911 in our members to collectively defend what costliest parts of the state.

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coordinator for the department chapter’s Grievance and Work- Jennifer Jokinen of microbiology and immunology place Concerns Committee, Stony Brook at SUNY Stony Brook. In 2017, which was started to help I have worked in higher education for I decided to bring my passion members with noncontractual nearly 20 years. I spent the first half of and union experience to my workplace issues, as well as my career at a private university, where chapter and run for an officer contract violations. I am also I lost my job due to budget cuts and no position. I was elected treasurer a member of our chapter job security since there was no union for and am currently serving my Communications Committee. professionals. At that same institution, I second term. I also serve at the I believe my experience accepted a position working for the all- statewide level as a member of organizing with all types of JOKINEN faculty union, the Hofstra Chapter AAUP. the Finance Committee and faculty members, especially I was quickly promoted to the managing Membership Committee. adjuncts, would bring a very director for the chapter, running the day- During the 2019 election cycle, I co- valuable perspective to the Executive to-day operations which included manag- founded the Coalition for Union Reform Board. We need fresh ideas and perspec- ing a large budget, being the first line of and Democracy on my campus. Together, tives to reverse the decades of low mem- contact for members, and handling griev- we broke the apathy members were bership and participation from rank-and- ances with the chapter attorney. facing after years of budget cuts which file contingents, as well as the alarming A few of my accomplishments included correlated with a gradual decline in the post-Janus membership rate for full-time coordinating a “yes” strike authorization activity and strength of our chapter. academics. vote when contract negotiations stalled The organizing efforts of our coalition In my years of experience, I have found the day before the contract was due to engaged many new and veteran mem- a transparent union which engages mem- expire. I worked with the accountants to bers via 1-1 conversations, infographics, bers face-to-face and empowers and en- put together a dues increase referendum and digital communications with our courages their initiative are those which that members ratified unanimously. I was member-driven platform. Our team got are strongest and capable of strike pre- also successful in having hundreds of dozens of new and formerly disengaged paredness and combating attrition. I am organizing conversations over the years members active in our chapter by offer- committed to effective communication and with non-member adjuncts which resulted ing them a seat at the table, centering transparent decision making. in them joining our union. their voice, and building union power If you agree with these values, I would I currently work as a graduate program together. I am a founding member of our appreciate your support!

I believe that the time to turn UUP to activate the rank and file Alissa Karl our membership into a move- to do just this. Brockport ment—for public goods and Currently, I am an associate My starkest realization as UUP Brockport for the public good—is now. professor of English and chapter Chapter president over the past 16 As a first-generation college president at Brockport; I have months has been the degree to which the student from a public sector worked for SUNY and been a UUP members on my campus feel alienated, in- union household, I know that member since 2007. I’m also a fantilized and disempowered in their work- unions can change lives and parent to a child in elementary place—like they’re on the outside and set the course for economic school, and wish to bring the per- can’t speak up for themselves, and security. As a former labor KARL spective of the multitude of our at the mercy of administrative fiat. If we organizer, I know that win- members who are performing invis- are going to save public higher education ning big is possible when we ible, unpaid care work to a promi- and realize the potential of organized mobilize collectively. If we are going nent place in our union’s deliberations. The labor for social change at this pivotal to fight for the kind of public higher unwaged care work that we do is consis- historical moment, it is imperative that education and public goods that we know tent with our waged labor: both are in the we, as public sector workers and union- New York needs, and to retain—indeed, service of the public good; both are instru- ists, focus on activating the power of our regain—the dignity of workers’ lives in the mental in creating a healthy society. membership. We must dispel the service face of an intensified austerity, then we We can make our union into a model model of unionism and the notion that the must transform our membership into a of, and a catalyst for, the kinds of collec- union is but one more bureaucratic actor movement for good jobs, a robust public tive, member-driven power that can that simply acts on workers’ behalf. I’m sector, and social justice. If elected to the reinvigorate our public institutions and running for statewide UUP board because statewide Executive Board, I will push for public life.

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we have seen an average of statewide meetings. In addition to Kelly Keck 45-50 members at our those efforts, the current pandemic Delhi weekly Open Forums, which exposed this discriminatory health My name is Kelly Keck, and I am the represents the highest con- coverage practice, as it has with UUP chapter president of SUNY Delhi and tinued attendance percent- many other discriminatory issues currently in my second term. I am also the age for our meetings. The facing our nation. All of which led manager of educational technology and format of the Open Forums to the state expanding its health instruction and have worked for SUNY has been to act as a conduit care coverage to all state employ- Delhi since 2014. I have been a political of critical information to and ees regardless of where they live. activist for most of my adult life and have from our membership, which KECK The financial burden has been run for local and state political offices in has allowed members to feel lifted, and they will be able to the past. I am running for the statewide more informed and able to move forward knowing that they Executive Board, as I would like to not make better personal choices regarding will no longer be standing at the edge of only continue to advocate for Delhi’s inter- health and safety. economic ruin due to health care costs. ests, but also for all campuses’ interest I have also been successful in advocat- I have the passion, temperament, per- during this time of crisis and beyond. ing for Delhi members’ interest, which can sonal skills and experience to be a suc- The success of my chapter presidency be seen in the recent expansion of the cessful member of the Executive Board. can be seen in the numbers. Our member- in-network health coverage to all states. My ability to listen to concerns and then ship percentage has continued to be one For years, SUNY’s remote faculty and staff to translate them into actionable items of the highest in the state. Our engage- have been dealing with out-of-pocket can been seen in all my efforts working ment with statewide events has increased. expenses for health care, which have left on behalf of Delhi’s members. I am asking Our commitment to solidarity and basic them on the verge of personal bank- you for your vote so that I can bring my union principles has strengthened. All of ruptcy. Individual remote faculty at Delhi strengths to the Executive Board and which can be seen in the attendance of approached me and asked if there was contribute to the overall success of UUP. the weekly Open Forum meetings that anything that could be done. I listened to Thank you for your thoughtful consider- Delhi has conducted since March and the their stories and became outraged on ation in advance and, as always, stay safe start of the pandemic. During this time, their behalf and started to advocate at and in solidarity, Kelly Keck.

for a term on the statewide tion, lobbying and work toward a Ken Lindblom UUP Executive Board—where more just world—and there is Stony Brook I learned a great deal about much to be done in that regard— I would be honored to serve, again, as union practices and made we must also work with SUNY a member of the statewide Executive friends throughout UUP. I and the state and the governor Board of UUP. I was heavily involved in served on the UUP state as a partner when we can. We UUP starting in 2010, when I became a Executive Board until I was must respect the years of work member of the UUP Task Force on named an academic dean at our colleagues have undertaken Teacher Education, a group created to Stony Brook in 2016, which in previous decades, acknowledg- resist terrible and very expensive testing required me to leave our LINDBLOM ing the privileges many of us policies for teacher education students. union to become manage- enjoy as a result of their efforts. I was also an active delegate, attending ment/confidential. In that We must use collaboration, coop- almost all Delegate Assemblies from role, I learned a great deal about how eration and—when necessary—conflict 2011 to 2016. I participated for several high-level university administration oper- and speaking truth to power to serve the years in UUP’s Advocacy Days in Albany, ates. That knowledge is why I am no UUP membership. I promise to be an when we lobbied state Assembly mem- longer a dean and am now prepared to unabashedly active contributor toward bers and senators to advocate for better return—with focus and gusto—to the those efforts. SUNY funding and other pro-SUNY politi- work of UUP. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for cal agenda items. In 2014, I was elected While we must be firm in our organiza- reading this statement.

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ing our union in many ways: like our statewide union, UUP Pamela Malone on the statewide Executive members at ESC are distributed Empire State College Board; Outreach co-chair; across New York, and we have Fellow unionists, NYSUT board member; and solved many practical and logisti- It would be my great honor to continue member of the last two Negoti- cal issues. I bring this perspec- to serve you on our union’s statewide ations Teams. I was protesting tive and possible solutions to my Executive Board. I hope I will earn your in front of the Supreme Court work on the board. vote through my experience, knowledge the day of the Janus case, Importantly, I am able to draw and dedication to UUP and our members. and laying strategy for labor’s upon the knowledge I have I believe my experience and knowledge responses with my fellow MALONE gained from my experience to are important because our union is com- board members—an effort that our collective fight. My various plex, and our membership diverse. I have continues to this day. roles have prepared me to help identify learned about the unique concerns of Drawing upon the work of our UUP challenges, collaboratively determine solu- our members at our medical schools and officers, I presented information about tions, and join in the work to achieve our hospitals, comprehensive and tech cam- the dangers of a New York State Consti- success. puses, and university centers. We serve tutional Convention to other UUP mem- We are nothing without our members. in a huge variety of roles for our students bers, other unions, and community My years of UUP service have demon- and patients—academically, professionally, organizations. After receiving guidance strated my commitment to our union and full and part time. It is in this diversity on my own student loan debt from our our members. As a member of the state- that we can find our strength as a union— affiliate AFT, I was in the first group of wide board, I work very hard to serve all one that fights for our members, our stu- UUP members who volunteered to offer of our members, while drawing on my dents and our communities. Because we Student Debt Clinics through UUP— local experience—and I will continue to have such a broad reach, we can uniquely something I regularly offer to members do so if you vote for me. support the labor movement and working at my own chapter and others. Thank you, and I hope that I have families everywhere. I have been president of the Empire earned your support for our Executive I have gained this experience by serv- State College Chapter since 2013. Much Board.

our constitution, and change cerns Committee; coordinate my Darleyne Mayers the name of standing commit- chapters’ participation in EOP/EOC Farmingdale tees to create a stronger Day in Albany (This year students My name is Darleyne Mayers and I relevance to the current work- from Farmingdale State College am a member of UUP Farmingdale. I ing conditions and concerns attended the event and wore UUP would consider it a privilege and honor of our members. I believe this red shirts to showcase our union); to continue to serve as an Executive Board must continue. develop voter registration drives at member of the UUP statewide Executive Here is my experience—I am Farmingdale and other Get-Out-the- Board. I would like to continue to work for a member of the executive Vote activities; part of the CAP you in this capacity. And I would like you board at my chapter and have team for our campus (We devel- to vote for me. been involved in various activi- MAYERS oped action items for the Chapter Our union is a diverse body that includes ties for more than 10 years Action Project, a Women’s History educators, health care providers and pro- that include chairing the Outreach Commit- event, and re-enactment of department fessional employees. And because of this, tee, and the Grievance Committee for Pro- reps); former member of Task Force on Pay our union is a very strong union. I recognize fessionals. I am hoping that by listing some Equity Based on Race, and Emerging Issues the importance of maintaining its effective of my direct actions, you will find it impos- of Diversity; in support, joined a picket line organization in spite of the ongoing attacks sible not to vote for me again: Co-chair of with fellow union members in the middle of that are affecting our livelihoods, and val- the statewide Diversity Equity and Inclusion winter for two-plus hours in 12 degree tem- ues. I am committed to making our union Committee, formerly known as the Affirma- perature. And other rallies and parades. a continued success by providing sound tive Action Committee. Our committee is I want to continue to serve on the board contributions to the decisions made by the made up of members from many of the where we will continue to work as advocates board. SUNY schools and have helped to create for our students, our patients and our insti- I would like to continue being a member active committees on their campuses; tutions through building coalitions and activ- of the hard-working and productive board statewide Outreach Committee, a regional ities at the chapter and statewide levels. as one with a voice that will represent contact, for the Long Island chapters, vis- I am asking for your support to re-elect everyone. The UUP theme of solidarity is ited elected officials in local offices and me, Darleyne Mayers, to the Executive something that I do not take lightly. During conducted phone banking. Board. An independent thinker with in- the past three years, our board has worked Other activities on behalf of our union: tegrity and fortitude who will use my skills to strengthen coalitions, make change to Former chair of the statewide EOC Con- to serve UUP.

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rule in Albany. members. I was lucky to have Samuel Marquez I was hired as an adjunct been counseled on advocacy proj- Downstate instructor at CUNY Hunter and ects supporting adjuncts, academ- Dear delegates, Lehman campuses so I could ics, and professionals with my I humbly ask for your vote and support pay for food and rent while Chapter president, Ms. Rowena for my election to the statewide Executive surviving as a doctoral Blackman-Stroud. Board. As a person of color from a disad- student at the University As a product of a diverse inner vantaged, inner city neighborhood in the Graduate Center. I recall the city background, I would approach , I can speak directly of the protests we had as adjuncts, my post as a UUP board member difficulties and impediments that are trying to get health benefits, MARQUEZ with a broader perspective of in- placed in the paths of so many from my but with salaries low and clusion. My specific goals for the community. Rather than dwell on these health insurance premiums Board would be: 1) educate mem- earlier challenges, I look with great grati- high, it makes me sympathetic to hear bers on the value of UUP not just for tude and appreciation to those that have about their grievances today. security and/or grievance concerns but lifted me up and enabled my success as I Completing my doctoral degree, I arrived also for advancement; 2) to establish a traveled through my education. at SUNY Downstate, with one of the most sustained line of communication between Graduating from Bronx High School of diverse student body in the country. As a administration and UUP members; and Science and then from Lehman College new chapter of my life began, I consid- 3) motivate and energize our membership CUNY, I fondly remember marching during ered myself fortunate to work at an insti- to participate with pride and honor. my undergraduate years as I protested in tution with the benefits of a union. Having transitioned from a CUNY envi- solidarity with my fellow classmates In these times of corporatization of the ronment to a SUNY system, and investing against the CUNY tuition hikes putting in academy, the national challenges that all years of forming good relations with jeopardy many of us from registering the unions face, and the COVID-19 pandemic, administration and incurring good favor, following year. I remember taking pizza to I am grateful for UUP’s contribution to my I am looking forward to advocating for my classmates who had taken over the academic career. UUP has been there to the 32 campus-wide institutions with all administration building as other CUNY protect the terms and conditions under of my enthusiasm and personal passion. students were doing the same in their which I have worked. I hope you would consider voting for me respective campuses in an attempt to It is precisely this gratitude that drives and allowing me to have this special have their voices heard by the people who me to be an advocate for my fellow UUP opportunity to serve.

successful drive to organize actions. I believe that I have Brian Obach food service workers on cam- the expertise and experience New Paltz pus. In short, I have been necessary to help move our I am a professor of sociology at SUNY active in the labor movement union forward down a path of New Paltz where I have been active with my entire adult life. I under- mobilization, empowerment and my local UUP chapter for 20 years. I am stand grassroots organizing political efficacy. I believe that in a graduate of the SUNY system, having and the need for a mobilized these dark political times, active attended both SUNY Oswego and SUNY union membership. engaged grassroots unionism is Albany. As an undergraduate, I was very My scholarship also focuses the only way to reverse decades active in campaigns to increase access on social movements and labor long disinvestment in SUNY. and funding for SUNY. I was an officer in particular, with an emphasis OBACH As educators, scholars and in my graduate employee union at the on movement strategy and professionals in the largest University of Wisconsin, and along with tactics. I have utilized this knowledge to higher education union in the country, my partner, who was an organizer for the engage in the political action that I believe we have the potential to be a powerful UAW, I was also part of the successful is central to effective unionism. I served voice, not only in New York state, but campaign to unionize graduate employees in several roles in my local chapter, doing nationally. I would welcome the opportu- in the UC system. Soon after my arrival political outreach, lobbying, member nity to serve on the board to help advance at New Paltz, I played a lead role in the mobilization, and engaging in solidarity these goals.

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the larger labor movement in mind that while we are fighting Ed Quinn this nation fighting for equal to keep our campuses open, we Stony Brook rights, equal pay and equal are also fighting for those com- I am running for a professional seat health care. In order to do this, munities around the campuses. on the Executive Board and asking for we need the strength of our UUP is a statewide organiza- your vote. union, the members. tion when united has the power I can bring my years of experience As a member of the Executive to influence decisions in New doing union work and fighting for eco- Board, I can give a unique York through its membership. nomic and social justice to the table to perspective that combines our We have members in just about benefit our members. I have worked on history in the struggle and the QUINN every election district and we these issues locally, statewide, nationally current challenges that we will must organize and use that and internationally. My experience con- be facing. I have fought to keep “public” influence to benefit public education and sists of both within UUP—at the chapter in public higher education and continue to our communities. and statewide levels—and outside of UUP. do so by working with labor activists and I will work hard to build our influence These are difficult times for labor unions community members. By working with that can benefit our members, their fami- and we, along with other unions, must local, state and federal elected officials, lies and their communities. join together and fight back against the we have fought back the privatization I ask for you to join me in this struggle attacks against us. We need to be part of efforts. It is also important we keep in to fight for what is fair. Thank you.

I came late to employment 1988, starting out as a member of David Jefferson Reeder in higher education, having I.A.T.S.E. in Texas, a right-to-work come from a long background (right to starve) state. I have been PotsdamI realize how important our involvement in private industry in the enter- a member of UUP since 2003, and through our union is to our well-being tainment industry. I know, chapter vice president for profes- now and into the future, now more than firsthand, the insecurity of sionals at Potsdam since 2017. ever. working as an individual ne- We are on the cusp of a mam- This is a time of momentous change in gotiating with larger and more moth change in American society, the American experiment. Our institutions, powerful corporate and gov- the scope of which can only be our well-being, and our very lives are ernmental players. The power guessed at. I want to help shape under threat from all sides. REEDER of collective bargaining, the that change, for the better, and As Americans and educators, we realize unions, our union, make the make sure that the rights of ordi- the importance of standing together, and workers of this country peers with, rather nary citizens, the backbone of any democ- presenting a unified and strong voice. than subservient to, management. This is racy, are protected and enhanced. The voice of reason, the voice of truth, as it should be. I ask for your support for my candidacy is our best hope. Education professionals I have been a union member since for UUP statewide Executive Board. have always known this.

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Our union has successfully offers and will work tirelessly to Dean Reinhart fought back various legislative educate all who will listen about Buffalo State and executive branch leaders, the positive purposes of our union. My name is Dean Reinhart and I am ask- SUNY and individual campus I have been the associate direc- ing you to support my candidacy for the administrators, and one fiscal tor of admissions at Buffalo State UUP Executive Board as a professional. I crisis after another. I believe College since 2005. Previously to have been a proud and active member of this time is different and even that, I served in Undergraduate UUP since 1995 and have served as a UUP more desperate; these typi- Admissions as an associate direc- union representative on three campuses cally dysfunctional entities tor at Oneonta and assistant direc- during my career—University at Buffalo, have now become more func- REINHART tor at UB. I began my career in Oneonta, and now Buffalo State. At Buf- tional than ever before. We SUNY and UUP as a residence hall falo State, I have also recently served as have a governor with seem- director at UB. I earned my Ph.D. the chapter president and vice president ingly unchecked power to make unilateral in higher education administration from for professionals. decisions in addition to a creatively in- UB, a Master’s in Education from Alfred There is much we must be concerned vented budget extender “all or nothing” University and a B.S. in business adminis- with in the years ahead—budget cuts, budgeting possibilities. We also have a tration from Oswego State. I have served dwindling state support, and attacks on a SUNY administration in transition, which as a Buffalo State and Oneonta campus union’s most basic premise, the right to despite many of our genuine concerns senator, UUP delegate, BSC Professional collectively bargain. Our Executive Board continues to not always advocate for its Staff Caucus E-Board member, interim will face some of the biggest challenges students and employees. The truth is, the director of admissions, adjunct instructor our union has ever encountered. I am next three years will be brutal; we will see for seven years, and on five statewide committed to engage all of these chal- increasing non-renewals, retrenchments, UUP committees and task forces (Elections lenges and more, head on, along with the eliminations of departments and expecta- and Credentials, Finance, Contract Negoti- Executive Board and all of the members of tions to do more with less. Knowing this, I ations Ad Hoc Advisory, Family Friendli- UUP. As an independent candidate to the am willing to step up as an Executive ness and Family Leave). I would be Executive Board, I pledge to make sure Board member candidate. I am a strong honored if you cast your ballot for Dean the voices of all members are heard and believer in advocating for the rights, bene- Reinhart. I can be reached at: considered. fits and protections our contract currently [email protected]. Thank you.

movement matters; because budget crisis it is critical that we Patrick Romain dedication and commitment continue to advocate for SUNY, Albany matters; because being a and all of its faculty, staff and stu- My name is Patrick Romain and I am team player matters; because dents. asking for your support for re-election to having diverse representation I am also active at my chapter at the Executive Board. in the leadership of UUP mat- University at Albany where during As a nation, we are going through one ters; because making a differ- my tenure in UUP, I have served as of the most challenging periods in our his- ence in the lives of our UUP the Albany treasurer and affirma- tory. Our members are dealing with the colleagues matters; because tive action chair. I took the lead to effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the eco- experience matters. Currently, ROMAIN sign up members for VOTE/COPE. nomic crisis and the reckoning with sys- I serve as the statewide co- I have also participated in the fol- temic racism. Our colleagues who work in chair and Executive Board liai- lowing activities: NYSUT RA; AFT health care are on the front lines, risking son of the Opportunity Programs Civil & Human Rights; Black, Puerto Rican, their lives and that of their families every Committee (EOP/EOC) and the NYSUT Latino & Asian Caucus; Somos El Futuro day as they take care of those in need of Human and Civil Rights Committee. Conference. I have been extremely active medical attention. Our colleagues in edu- In the past, I served in the following in our advocacy efforts. cation have had their world upended, and statewide committees- Co-Chair EOP, Co- I humbly ask for your vote so that I are doing their best to keep educating the Chair Affirmative Action, Task Force on may continue to assist in making our students in their charge. The daily Pay Equity, Legal Defense, Finance, and union stronger as we go through these protests throughout the nation and the Black Faculty and Staff Association. difficult times, and strive for a brighter rise of the Black Lives Matter movement Just as important, I am an active mem- and better tomorrow for all UUP members. are reminders that the stakes couldn’t be ber of the outreach committee and enjoy Help me to continue to make and get into higher for our statewide leadership, our spending time reaching out to legislators “some good trouble” as the late Congress- members and the public we serve. and telling UUP and SUNY’s success sto- man and Civil Rights icon, John Lewis, I am seeking re-election as an at-large ries. With COVID-19 and the looming used to say. member: Because fidelity to the labor

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meetings and engages members my organizing skills to help our Andrew Solar-Greco and non-members in organizing union rebound from Janus and Stony Brook conversations. During the 2019 build power for upcoming con- Unions and public higher education have chapter elections, I co-founded tract negotiations and budget been under attack for years. We need the Coalition for Union Reform & cuts. If we hope to save our fresh ideas, as the challenges we face can Democracy, which built a move- campuses from deep cuts and only be resolved by mass-member partici- ment that raised the expecta- achieve a fair contract, we need pation. As a three-time SUNY alumnus, I tions of our membership by to build strike capacity. Without feel a calling to defend this institution from more than doubling voter a credible strike threat, our nego- 10+ years of cuts and flat funding. turnout compared to 2017, and tiations team will have little lever- The Janus Supreme Court ruling tripled the amount of elected SOLAR-GRECO age to win at the bargaining changed everything. We must supplement delegates. I developed a new table, let alone stave off an our advocacy and lobbying efforts to re- employee orientation (NEO) presentation austerity contract. verse the new member attrition that has that I present to SB Center and HSC new Nearly 10,000 members are to retire set in since the ruling eliminated agency employees that highlights not just our con- soon, with over 15,000 under the age of fees for public sector unions. UUP must tract and benefits, but also defending 45, making it instrumental that we begin embrace an organizing model where we SUNY, workplace democracy, and how new succession planning and leadership devel- center the voices of our members and members can get involved. This approach opment. We must bring together our ac- empower them. Members must be in- has doubled SB Center new-hire join rate tive and retired members to cultivate the volved in not just the implementation of since 2018, and is now the model NEO skills of new leaders, document the history plans, but the development of them. UUP presentation shared with chapter leaders. of our union, and create a multi-genera- needs to fight side-by-side with—not just Last year, I became vice chair of the tional union culture. Succession planning is for—its members. statewide Membership Committee, leading essential to keeping our union vibrant and I was a UUP member at Stony Brook HSC the way in committee reform by develop- to avoid overreliance on the same handful for two-plus years before joining the SB ing a detailed strategic plan and imple- of leaders. Center campus, where I have served as menting monthly committee meetings. I I am committed to effective communica- membership development officer (MDO) for work with members on organizing 101, tion and transparency, holding our leaders three years. I built a Membership Commit- breaking apathy, NEOs, building commit- accountable, and member-driven organiz- tee and revived our inactive Department tees and dept rep systems. ing efforts. I hope you entrust me with Representative system, which holds regular If elected, I will be in a position to utilize this opportunity!

tended numerous in-district meet- muting work-from-home agreements or Rich Veenstra ings, lobbied in Albany, and now, flexible work hours, Upstate during COVID-19, attended virtual accommodations for those in high-risk I am Rich Veenstra and I’m running for a sec- Town Halls and fundraisers for groups. ond three-year term as an academic at-large New York State Senatorial candi- After listening to the concerns of fac- member to the UUP statewide Executive Board. dates John Mannion (SD-50), Jim ulty and professional staff in our College I was the Upstate Medical University Chapter Barber (SD-51) and Sen. Rachel of Nursing, I called for a special meeting vice president for academics in 2017, when I May (SD-53) to bring the issues of with our campus president who, after spoke at the Syracuse March for Science about UUP and our three public hospitals listening to an hour’s worth of issues, the need for scientific research funding for the to the forefront of their agendas. agreed to both of our asks: to initiate a future of our education, healthcare, environ- I’ve also participated in UUP spon- full review of our CON dean and allow a ment, and our socioeconomic needs. When the sored regional higher education VEENSTRA faculty member that was denied tenure Syracuse League of Women Voters needed public hearings and Town Halls. in her fifth year to continue her work at someone to debate the Constitutional Conven- As a delegate to the Greater Syracuse Labor Upstate Medical University in a two-year non- tion Committee Chair Evan Davis at the OASIS Council, I’ve not only participated in similar tenure track appointment with a continued hope Center, I answered the call. events to the above, but also in local union strike of earning tenure. Our fight is not over, it may Since then I’ve become the UUP Upstate Med- rallies, community outreach projects, and helped have only begun, but the CON faculty at least ical University Chapter president, the second- organize a Syracuse Labor Day Car Caravan to remain intact to continue their individual and largest chapter in UUP. As president, I’ve thank essential workers at more than a dozen collective efforts, including giving a meaning presented the issues facing our hospital workers group and nursing homes, fire stations, and our voice to shared governance. and faculty to the UUP statewide Executive own University Hospital. Being a member of our We must continue to protect our contractual Board and officers. Each Academic Medical Cen- local labor coalition has enabled me to learn rights and build towards a better future with ter is unique, and representing a third of all UUP about the problems facing our trade, private continued activism. members, it is important that the AMCs have hospital, and public education unions and, recip- I’ve worked at Upstate since 1986, am a representation on the Executive Board. rocally, to help them advocate for our mutual tenured professor in the pharmacology depart- I’ve advocated annually to close the TAP Gap, goals and causes. ment, and maintained a nationally funded re- reinstate direct state support (the “hospital sub- The arrival of COVID-19 has required us to search program for three decades. I am familiar sidy”) for our three public safety net hospitals in adapt in real time to virtual classrooms and chap- with our campus, hospital, legislative and UUP Brooklyn, Stony Brook and Syracuse, for federal ter meetings, continue to build our new employee leadership, and believe I bring the knowledge COVID-19 relief aid, and new revenue raisers for UUP membership without the ability to meet them and experience necessary to represent UUP and New York state to address budgetary deficits that in person, and deal with the many issues facing Upstate Medical University Chapter on the UUP perennially derail our funding efforts for SUNY. our hospital workers like inadequate PPE, denial statewide Executive Board and I am asking for As our campus political coordinator, I’ve at- of federal emergency leave, arranging telecom- your vote.

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union UUP. I stepped out on effective as an Executive Board Tonya L. Williams faith in this nomination, but member because I listen when peo- Downstate most of all I love talking to ple are talking and I have empathy, Good afternoon fellow members, our members and trying to which is what we need in this world My name is Tonya L. Williams. I nomi- get them to stick with our especially now at this difficult time nated myself for the Executive Board Panel union in times of despair. of this pandemic. for numerous reasons. I work at SUNY I am a truth teller is what I have been with SUNY for almost Downstate Medical Center and my chapter I have been told by a few 20 years, but I have the experience president is Rowena Blackman-Stroud, who members and they tell me with the years when it comes to I have watched and observed over the that they appreciate all that people and matters of the heart. I years fighting for our members. I have I do. That is what is priceless WILLIAMS believe that I can bring a lot to the been encouraged by her enthusiasm and to me—hearing that I am panel when it comes to making things passion to speak up, so I then found myself effective and they believe in me. I honestly better for our members. I tend to go above being a delegate and on the Governing love my union and I have learned so much and beyond because that is the caring in me Board as well. over the years being part of the solution, for anyone, we are all human beings. I was a shy girl, a child from Brooklyn, that fuels my soul and I get such a rise out I appreciate this opportunity to express and somehow I have grown over the of our union brothers and sisters when we my true feelings of my union, I feel like I years, interacting with my Chapter Presi- come together as one on the yearly DA. have a lot of purpose and that I am worthy dent Rowena and statewide President Fred I never saw myself on this platform, but being a part of such a strong union. I want Kowal and many others. I found myself somehow I am here to stay. to thank my union leadership, who taught challenging that little girl to speak up I feel very honored between the appreci- me how to stand strong and committed to because I too have a voice as well. As I ation from Downstate and Upstate mem- the fight! have been active going to the conferences bers of sharing how they feel I am doing a It takes a village to make all things possi- and workshops and some conventions over great job of sharing of information and ble and we are a BIG Village, Upstate and the years, I got empowered from the being a caring soul. That is correct. I am an Downstate … I am proud to say I am UUP courageous brothers and sisters of our authentic soul and I feel that I can be more and I am sticking with my union ...

Labor notes

Sign the declaration for democracy it an “epic contract,” as the airline industry and the country are in the UUP President Fred Kowal is encouraging members to midst of a global COVID-19 pandemic join educators across the nation and sign the Albert Shanker and economic downturn. Institute Democracy Declaration. “Our negotiating team recognized the “Our democracy is under attack daily by the current admin- importance of bargaining this inaugural istration,” Kowal wrote in an email shared statewide Oct. 26. agreement, prioritizing our members’ “We must continue our fight to elect candidates that will fight long-term job security, codification of work rules and quality to protect democracy for all.” of life issues into this agreement,” said TWU International The pledge states: “We, the undersigned educators in pre- President John Samuelsen. “Bringing more than 5,000 crew K-12 schools, colleges and universities, representatives of members under the protection of a trade union contract, schools across the United States, endorse democracy as a right smack in the middle of COVID-19 is a Herculean means of giving voice to each achievement.” one of us, of expressing the The union’s negotiating team and JetBlue management are dignity of each individual, of reviewing the final document before sending it to members representing the values of our for a ratification vote in the near future. society, and of ensuring the lawful transition of authority. Every freedom depends upon the freedom to vote. Each vote Labor archive available to view online counts; count each vote.” “Please join us in this fight by signing the declaration here Union members should check out Work & Social Justice: and then sharing it with your colleagues and encouraging The David Bacon Archive at Stanford, which is open for them to sign as well,” Kowal added. in-person and online viewing at Stanford Libraries. The Bacon archive offers scholars and students stunning perspectives of labor and social justice movements, as well TWU, JetBlue reach tentative deal as societal impacts of globalization and war. The Transport Workers Union (TWU) announced Oct. 22 Bacon is an award-winning California-based photographer, that it reached a tentative agreement for in-flight crew writer, social activist and union organizer whose life has been members’ first contract at JetBlue Airways. The union called committed to social justice.

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 34 Virtual advocacy

UUPBY DARRYL M CGgoesRATH all-out for members during pandemic

or most of UUP’s history, nothing has been more valuable an advo- cacy tool than face-to-face meet- ings between members and lawmakers. For years, the union measured the suc- cess of its advocacy by a series of carefully Fcoordinated events that brought UUP mem- bers and hundreds of SUNY students to Albany for a day of meetings with state sen- ators and Assembly members, to encourage full funding for SUNY. UUP faculty and staff, along with students, told compelling personal stories of what a public college had meant to them–riveting SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE JOINED UUP AND NYSNA TO SUPPORT THE REINSTATEMENT OF stories of hope, strength and personal THE NEW YORK STOCK TRANSFER TAX, INCLUDING THE SUNY STUDENT ASSOCIATION, STRONGER achievement, combined with accounts of FOR ALL, CITIZEN ACTION OF NY!, THE BLACK NURSES COALITION, NYPIRG AND THE STATE how they overcame daunting obstacles, AFL-CIO. IF FULLY COLLECTED, THE STT IS ESTIMATED TO RAISE UP TO $16 BILLION ANNUALLY, such as poverty and homelessness. The BASED ON THE VOLUME AND FREQUENCY OF TRADES. LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY ASSEMBLY- advocacy days often ended with packed MEMBER PHIL STECK AND SEN. JAMES SANDERS WOULD REQUIRE NYS TO KEEP THE PROCEEDS rallies in the Capitol’s Million-Dollar Stair- FROM THIS TAX (A.7791-B/S.6203-A), RATHER THAN GIVE THEM BACK TO WALL STREET. case, where chants reverberated from the steps to the vaulted ceiling, in a command- ing show of shout-down-the-walls solidarity was a major part of ensuring that safety. made it all the more difficult for UUP to and strength. We needed to know what they were expe- address unprecedented workplace situa- That was then, and … now is union advo- riencing, what they needed, and what wor- tions for a workplace that was suddenly cacy in the middle of a global pandemic. ried them.” scattered among thousands of members’ Advocacy, outreach and rallies have all The solution was virtual outreach to homes. gone virtual. Beginning last spring, UUP did members in large online forums, using a Telecommuting, child care issues, training a fast about-face and kicked into high gear variety of digital platforms, most of which in remote instruction, and quarantine for with the scheduling of what would eventu- could be accessed either on a computer or those who had been exposed to the coron- ally be more than two-dozen virtual events a smart phone—with phone access a nec- avirus—all emerged as questions during for its members, with the union’s organizing essary component, considering that inter- this time. Eventually, these virtual meet- and political departments playing key roles net service outside of the state-of-the-art ings, which ran well into the summer, in the development of those events. wiring of a SUNY campus can be less de- reached thousands of members, and pendable than a smart phone’s signal. In helped union officers and the statewide Ex- May, UUP launched its new outreach effort ecutive Board to shape their discussions SAFETY THE FIRST CONCERN “A union is only as strong as its member- with four virtual tele-town halls for mem- among themselves, and then with SUNY ship,” UUP President Fred Kowal said. “We bers. Kowal used that forum, and subse- leaders. had an unprecedented event unfolding—the quent ones, to inform members of what Kowal opened most of the virtual sessions abrupt shutdown of a university system that UUP was doing on their behalf. with remarks about the pandemic’s scope serves hundreds of thousands of students and its effect on the state budget and, by and has tens of thousands of employees. UNIMAGINABLENEWISSUES extension, its potential effect on SUNY. Most of those employees were UUP mem- Those first weeks of the shutdown were Kowal fielded hundreds of questions from bers. We needed a system more effective, a time of many unanswered questions, and members during the sessions; for questions and more interpersonal, than email, to talk problems no one had ever encountered. that could not be answered live, an officer directly with them. The situation was exacerbated by the fact got back to the member with information “Our first and most immediate concern that SUNY’s chancellor at the time, Kristina after the question was researched. was the safety of students, faculty and Johnson, had been largely silent through Kowal also began opening sessions with staff. And we quickly realized that main- the shutdown, and she would soon an- a moment of silence in memory of UUP taining communication with our members nounce her resignation—an upheaval that see ADVOCACY, page 36

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 35 Pamela Malone, Empire State College chap- tion of labor and environmental groups of DVOCACY ter president and a statewide Executive which UUP is a founding member—that continuedA from page 36 ... Board member, was the moderator for many kicked off a campaign to get a funding members who had died of COVID-19. The of the virtual forums. She worked on them at measure passed in the Legislature for the exact number is not known, and may never the start, when digital platforms such as Zoom state’s ambitious carbon-emissions-reduc- be known, for reasons ranging from fami- or GoToMeeting were new to many members tion law. UUP paired with statewide and lies’ requests for privacy and refusal to (and a few lawmakers), and she saw them national activists and the AFT Oct. 16-17, discuss the death, to confidentiality issues become an effective way to reach people. for two days of training in coalition-building that prevented the union from either obtain- “I feel very privileged to have been a part and phone-banking. ing or disclosing a cause of death. But in- of our town halls,” she said in an email to And in an unprecedented move, UUP had disputably, members have died, and that The Echo. “There were opportunities to pro- a virtual Delegate Assembly Sept. 25, fol- knowledge infused the virtual sessions with vide critical information to members, gather lowed by a special election conducted with a bittersweet sense of urgency, as partici- feedback about initiatives and the impact of mail-in nominations and ballots, but no in- pants commented on what had been lost, the crises we are facing, and get recommen- person voting, which was ongoing as The and what they still faced. dations and ideas. It was a great way for our Echo was being posted. The positions being UUP officers and the statewide Executive diverse membership to collaborate.” voted on are UUP membership development Board methodically began tackling the officer and eight Executive Board positions; problems posed by the pandemic, some EXPANDING ONLINE PRESENCE the board elected Kowal as president and of which either expanded on contractual By late summer, UUP had expanded the Jeri O’Bryan-Losee as secretary/treasurer, issues already in effect, or which involved virtual format to rallies—organized either since both ran unopposed (see related sto- situations no one had ever before encoun- by the union as a whole, or at the chapter ries, beginning on page 18). tered. Virtual forums were scheduled by level, including a union-wide virtual rally to It’s been a whirlwind semester, which is region, or by employee groups, such as highlight the need for the health and safety rapidly drawing to a close, and now UUP is residence life, library, information technol- of the SUNY community, which drew more looking ahead to spring. Many questions ogy and athletics. than 4,000 participants and viewers. Jim remain about what shape the spring Malatras began as SUNY chancellor Aug. 31, semester will take, especially as a new and immediately demonstrated a willingness surge of coronavirus cases grips the coun- MAKING PROGRESS At the same time, as talk of possible to work with UUP. After discussions with the try with no promise of letting up in the massive cuts to the state budget began new chancellor, Kowal reached an agreement winter. One thing is certain: UUP has found circulating, UUP scheduled a series of with the Governor’s Office of Employee Rela- an effective way to reach its members regional virtual town halls with lawmakers, tions for mandatory testing Kowal reached during the ongoing crisis. so that members could engage them in an agreement on mandatory testing of UUP “Through the virtual tools, we have really advocacy. Members had a chance to virtu- members—a move that other unions at reached out to our membership like never ally meet with more than a dozen lawmak- SUNY quickly followed—and got the telecom- before,” Kowal said during a recent digital ers, and to make an effective case for muting agreement extended to Dec. 31. forum for Capital Region members. “You’re keeping SUNY strong and supporting new The virtual presence of UUP also began to part of a new situation at UUP. It is impor- forms of revenue, such as a reinstated include other organizations. Kowal partici- tant that we do this; it is important to tax on stock transfers. pated in an event with NY Renews—a coali- ground us all in facts.”

Buffalo Center Chapter WHEN KATHLEEN “KAT” KIELAR, CENTER, FOUND OUT THAT THE AFT WAS OFFERING GRANTS TO MEMBERS TO HELP MITIGATE THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS, SHE WAS MORE THAN INTRIGUED. SHE TOOK ACTION. KIELAR, BUFFALO CENTER CHAPTER VP FOR PROFESSIONALS, BROUGHT NEWS OF THE AFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE GRANTS—EARMARKED FOR PROJECTS SUCH AS PURCHASING NECESSARY EQUIPMENT AND RESOURCES TO TEACH DURING THE PANDEMIC—TO HER CHAPTER’S OFFICERS. HER COLLEAGUES LIKED KIELAR’S PITCH AND DECIDED TO APPLY FOR SLIGHTLY MORE THAN $45,000 TO PURCHASE TWO MASKS FOR EACH CHAPTER MEMBER ($24,550) AND DISINFECTING WIPES ($20,965). SO DID AFT. THE FEDERATION, OF WHICH UUP IS A MEMBER, TOLD CHAPTER LEADERS THAT THEIR MASK ASK WAS APPROVED. THE CHAPTER IS HOPEFUL THAT THEIR REQUEST FOR DISINFECTING WIPES WILL BE GRANTED. “WE WILL THEN DISTRIBUTE THEM TO OUR MEMBERS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS AS THEY SLOWLY RETURN TO WORK,” SHE SAID.

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 36 Spotlight shines on UUPers

ach year, hundreds of UUP bargaining unit members publish books and articles, and are recognized for E accomplishments on campus and in their communities. The Echo is pleased to recognize three in this issue. Joseph Balthasar, a Gregory Denbeaux, Award-winning film professor of pharmaceu- an associate professor producer Christine tical sciences in the of nanoengineering at Vachon, artistic direc- University at Buffalo’s SUNY Poly, recently tor of the Stony Brook School of Pharmacy received a $50,000 University MFA in and Pharmaceutical grant from the National Film Program and Sciences, recently Science Foundation co-founder of Killer received a $1.8 million (NSF) to fund ongoing Films, was recently grant from the National BALTHASAR research. Denbeaux and DENBEAUX named one of the 50 VACHON Cancer Institute to improve delivery of three students discovered a revolutionary Most Powerful LGBTQ Players in Hollywood targeted therapies to cancer cells. additive manufacturing process for metals by The Hollywood Reporter. The research aims to test three platform that could help transform manufacturing for The magazine’s annual Pride Issue honors strategies designed to enhance the distribu- American industries. performers, directors, producers and tion of anticancer antibodies and antibody Denbeaux earned his B.A. in physics from showrunners who are helping boost visibility conjugates (targeted drugs designed for Wesleyan University, and his Master’s and and create opportunities for members of the treating cancer) within solid tumors. Ph.D. in physics from Duke University. His extended LGBTQ community. The new grant complements efforts un- areas of research include fundamentals of Vachon is an Independent Spirit Award derway in Balthasar’s lab to develop anti- extreme ultraviolet (EUV) resists, electron and Gotham Award winner who co-founded cancer antibody conjugates—funded by a interactions in solids, lithography, and indie powerhouse Killer Films with partner second $1.8 million grant from NCI in nanoparticle detection and identification. Pamela Koffler in 1995. In the last decade 2016—and to decrease toxicity of anticancer He is a member of the SUNY Poly Founda- and a half, the two have produced some of antibody therapies. tion Board of Directors. the most celebrated American indie features UB associate professor Dhaval Shah is including Academy Award winners Still Alice co-principal investigator. and Boys Don’t Cry.

CORONAVIRUS DOMINATES POLITICAL LIFE ANDIDATES She thinks her experience in Amherst, where she has played a key continuedC from page 17 ... next level, with a statewide office. role in the response to COVID-19, will be valuable in the state Sen- “I’m really having fun,” Berger said. “I really like what I’m doing as ate, where the pandemic and its aftereffects are likely to be felt an elected official.” throughout the upcoming two-year Senate term. Amherst started She misses the door-to-door campaigning that was a hallmark of regular meetings with faith leaders, to identify those in need who her 2017 campaign for Amherst town board, but she has found that might benefit from food drives or clothing collections. Berger, as phone conversations can be effective for one-on-one discussion of deputy town supervisor, has been involved in efforts to help what the issues. She ran two different TV ads in the Buffalo market and she calls “community life,” including the needs of youth, veterans has had some virtual events. She hopes that her strong connections and the business community. to labor in Western New York and her work in a town with a popula- Her experience as a unionist—she was a delegate and statewide tion of 126,000—which makes it considerably larger than the state Executive Board member in UUP—has helped her in Amherst, where capital—will stand her in good stead. she negotiated what she called five “win-win union contracts” for the The 61st Senate District includes portions of Erie, Genesee and town. She has again seen labor turn out to support her Senate candi- Monroe counties, with part of Rochester wedged in following a dacy, as happened in her first run in 2017 as a political newcomer. redistricting a decade ago, and Berger never forgets how varied In addition to NYSUT, a partial list of her endorsements includes her prospective Senate seat is. The seat comprises urban areas, PEF, CSEA, 1199 SEIU, the Buffalo Building Trades, the Iron Workers with a large number of municipal or county employees, but also and the Sierra Club. Several labor leaders in the region encouraged suburban and rural regions. her to run, for which she is grateful. “It’s very different, trying to address all the different types of “Once I’m in and I decide to do something, I’m in all the way,” needs in a constituency, because it’s not all one community,” Berger Berger said. said. “Even though it’s one district, all the different communities in “People know I work hard. I’m a union leader and activist who is the district have different needs, different challenges, because of running. I’ve been working with all these groups. I am so thrilled COVID-19.” that people are behind me, because I need that support to win.”

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 37 2020 Spring DA

DelegatesBY DARRYL MCGRATH participate in first-ever virtual conventionprovide a rapid change for the better with the state elegates to the budget. special virtual New York state faces a Spring Delegate $14.5 billion budget short- Assembly Sept. 25 fall, but Kowal said that approved a temporary constitu- his frequent conversations tional amendment to hold with Malatras indicate that statewide elections by mail. The the chancellor is doing Dvote was 214-7. everything possible to Ballots were mailed Oct. 28 to avoid having that shortfall seated delegates; they are due decimate SUNY, as similar to UUP by 5 p.m. Nov. 25 (see state budget crises have related election stories, begin- done to colleges and uni- ning on page 18). versities elsewhere around Delegates also approved the the country. UUP budget by a vote of 221-5. “He believes, and I hope The next virtual DA is expected it’s true, that we could get to be held in January 2021. through this, but so much The original 2020 Spring DA rides on what happens Nov. 3,” Kowal said. could not be held, given that it UUP PRESIDENT FRED KOWAL CONVENES THE UNION’S FIRST-EVER SPECIAL was scheduled just weeks after VIRTUAL DELEGATE ASSEMBLY, SEPT. 25. MORE THAN 300 DELEGATES SIGNED the abrupt shutdown of SUNY IN TO VOTE ON A TEMPORARY CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO HOLD UUP’S BUDGET ADOPTED campuses in March. STATEWIDE ELECTION BY MAIL AND TO ADOPT THE 2020-2021 SPENDING PLAN. UUP’s nearly $10.6 million operating budget for fiscal year 2020-2021 reflects OWAL TO K SUNY: that time, the union has faced its greatest the challenges the union continues to face GET READY FOR SPRING UUP President Fred Kowal opened his difficulties ever, with members at the hospi- during the coronavirus pandemic. address to the delegates with a moment tals risking their lives to treat COVID-19 “We understand that the uncertainty of silence for UUP members who have died patients, and other members throughout we face during the upcoming weeks may during the pandemic. He then urged SUNY to the system admirably rising to the challenge affect different areas of our budget,” work with the union to prepare for the uni- of last spring’s shutdown of the SUNY noted Secretary/Treasurer Jeri O’Bryan- versity’s spring semester. The strong working campuses and an overnight conversion Losee. “Our objective is to provide a realis- relationship forged between UUP and SUNY to remote instruction. tic representation of revenues based on Chancellor Jim Malatras, who took office “Many of us in this great union are meet- where we are now, but we recognize that Aug. 31, bodes well for that cooperation, ing the call; unfortunately, our national changes may be needed in the future when which Kowal said will be needed if SUNY is leaders are not,” Kowal told delegates. we realize more of the effects of COVID-19 to prevent further campus closures because “Our members were risking our on the work we do.” of coronavirus outbreaks. SUNY Oneonta lives right from the start.” In adopting the budget, dele- moved to remote instruction for the rest of Kowal pledged that UUP will gates gave the go-ahead to shift the fall; Oswego, Cortland and Binghamton continue to vigorously advocate $1 million from the Reserve Fund went remote-only for specific periods. for members, many of whom to cover extraordinary expendi- “SUNY, I’m speaking to you directly now,” face unresolved issues involving tures associated with items related Kowal said. “Do it right, do it comprehen- telecommuting, challenges with to concerns of the COVID-19 virus. sively and do it for as long as necessary.” child care, and delays by the UUP will continue to monitor the state on negotiated raises and situation moving forward; any un- increases to minimum salaries. O’BRYAN-LOSEE MEMBERS MEET THE CHALLENGE used expenditures will be returned In commending the membership for its So far, SUNY has avoided to the reserve. response to the pandemic, Kowal noted that systemwide retrenchments. O’Bryan-Losee said the union followed no one could have predicted that 10 months “established, effective procedures to get would pass between last fall’s DA at the WAITING FOR NOVEMBER maximum input” from members in develop- Westchester Hilton in Rye Brook, which has Kowal reminded delegates that the rapidly ing the annual spending plan. since closed because of the pandemic. In approaching presidential election could — Karen L. Mattison contributed to this report.

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 38 UUP benefits UUP 2021 Productivity Enhancement Program

The Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) is a negotiated benefit between UUP and NY State. PEP allows eligible UUP-represented full-time and part-time employees who earn vacation leave to exchange previously accrued vacation leave in return for a credit of up to $1,200 to be applied toward the employee share of NYSHIP premiums on a biweekly basis.

Employees are required to submit a separate enrollment form for each year in which they wish to participate.

ELIGIBILITY ENROLL: Eligible full-time employees with an annual salary of $70,947 and below whose biweekly salary is within this range at the time of enrollment, who Nov. 2­30, 2020 choose to enroll in the Productivity Enhancement Program for the 2021 plan year will forfeit a total of three days of annual leave at the time of enrollment in return for a credit of up to $600, or forfeit six days of annual leave at the time of enrollment in return for a credit of up to $1,200, to be applied toward their share of NYSHIP premiums.

Eligible full-time employees earning more than $70,947 and below $101,385 whose biweekly salary is within this range at the time of enrollment, who choose to enroll in PEP for the 2021 plan year will forfeit a total of two days of annual leave at the time of enrollment in return for a credit of up to $600, or forfeit four days of annual leave at the time of enrollment in return for a credit of up to $1,200, to be applied toward their share of NYSHIP premiums.

Eligible part-time employees who choose to participate will forfeit prorated days and receive a prorated credit.

At the time of enrollment, employees must: N Be an employee covered by the 2016-2022 New York State/UUP Collective Bargaining Agreement; N Be employed on a Calendar Year or College Year basis; N Be a full-time employee with an annual salary below $101,385 OR a part-time employee whose biweekly salary is within this salary range at the time of enrollment; N Be a NYSHIP enrollee (contract holder) in either the Empire Plan or an HMO; N Be eligible to receive an employer contribution toward NYSHIP premiums (or be on leave without pay from a position in which the employee is normally eligible for an employer share contribution toward NYSHIP premiums); and N Have a sufficient annual leave balance to make the full leave forfeiture without bringing their annual leave balance below eight days or a prorated balance for part-time employees, respectively.

Contact your campus Human Resources Department for more information or to obtain an enrollment form.

UNITED UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONS PRESIDENT FREDERICK E. KOWAL, PH.D. 518.640.6600 FAX: 518.640.6698 WWW.UUPINFO.ORG FOLLOW US @UUPINFO MEMBERSHIP INFO LINE: 518.640.6678

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 39 2021 Open Enrollment Period November 2 - November 30, 2020

goer.ny.gov/FSA 800-358-7202

UUP benefits 2021 Open Enrollment Period 2021 Open Enrollment Period November 2 - November 30, 2020 November 2 - November 30, 2020 goer.ny.gov/FSA goer.ny.gov/FSA800-358-7202Flex Spending Account 800-358-7202 Dependent Care Health Care Adoption AdvantageWha Accountt is theSpending FSA Account? Advantage Account

goer.ny.gov/FSA 800.358.7202 The Flex Spending Account (FSA) is a state employee benefit that saves you money by allowing you to pay for certain expenses with pre-tax dollars. Under this program, you can choose from three dierent benefits: The Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) lets you set aside any amount from $100 up to $2,750 for the 2021 plan year to pay for health care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance or other benefit plan. However, only medically necessary medical, hospital, dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents can be reimbursed by your HCSA. The Dependen t Care Advantage Account (DCAA) allows your family to set aside up to $5,000 in pre-tax salary for eligible custodial child care, elder care, or disabled dependent care expenses that are necessary for you and your spouse, if you are married, to work. The Adoption Advantage Account lets you pay for expenses related to the adoption of an eligible child with pre-tax dollars. Whoe ’s eligibl to enroll in the FSA? The HCSA and DCAA are open to New York State employees of Executive Branch state agencies, the State University of New York, the Legislature, and the Unified Court System. Employees of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, NYS Energy Research and Development Authority, New York Liquidation Bureau, and Environmental Facilities Corporation are also eligible to participate. However, employees who wish to enroll in the HCSA also must: • Be either permanently employed or expect to be employed for the entire calendar year in which they plan to enroll in the HCSA (employees who work on a semester or school year basis are also eligible) • Be annual-salaried • Work at least half-time • Meet the eligibility criteria for enrollment in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) and • If an Executive Branch employee, be either M/C or represented by CSEA, PEF, UUP, NYSCOPBA, Council 82, PBANYS, DC-37, PBA, or NYSPIA. Casual, seasonal, hourly, per diem, fee-basis, and session employees, as well as retirees, are not eligible to enroll in the HCSA. The Adoption Advantage Account is open to employees of Executive Branch state agencies, the State University of New York, or Roswell Park Cancer Institute who are designated M/C or represented by CSEA,Flex UUP, NYSCOPBA Spending, DC-37, PBA-Troopers, and PBA-Supervisors. Account THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 40 ApplyFlex online with Spending our easy paperless applicatio Accountn process Dependent Care Health Care Adoption It is easy to enroll in the Flex Spending Account. Just submit your application for enrollment AdvantageDependentonline at go Accounter Care.ny.gov/ FSA or bySpending telephonHealthe at Account1-800-Care35 8-7202. YouAdvantage will neeAdoptiond your NAccountYS AdvantageEMPLID number Account, which is locatedSpending on your paystu Accountb, to complete your aAdvantagepplication. Account

The deadline for 2021 enrollment is November 30, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. ET and is strictly enforced. Please be sure to enroll by November 30. If you are enrolled for the 2020 plan year, you must re-enroll to continue your benefits in 2021. Health Care Spending Account Some Eligible Expenses Breast pumps • Chiropractic care • Contact lenses • Copayments • Crutches • Deductibles • Dental care • Dental implants • Dentures • Diagnostic tests • Eyeglasses • Hearing aids • Infertility services • Lab fees • Laser eye surgery • Menstrual care products • Orthodontia • Over-the-counter drugs and supplies • Physical therapy • Psychiatric services • Surgery • Travel expenses • Wheelchairs Some Ineligible Expenses Cosmetic procedures • Dance lessons • Electrolysis • Exercise classes • Exercise equipment • Hair transplants • Health club membership fees • Herbal remedies • Holistic medicines • Homeopathic remedies • Insurance premiums • Marriage counseling • Meal replacements • Non-medically necessary treatment • Pilates • Teeth whitening/bonding •Tennis and sports lessons • Yoga Adoption Advantage Account Some Eligible Expenses Home study and application fees • Reasonable and necessary legal adoption fees • Court costs • Attorney fees • Agency fees • Medical services associated with a child with special needs • Travel and lodging fees • Other expenses that are directly related to a legal adoption De pendent Care Advantage Account Some Eligible Expenses Adult daycare • Au pair • Babysitter • Before/after-school programs • Child care center • Family daycare provider • Home aide • Nursery school • School-age holiday care • Summer day camp • Sports day camp Some Ineligible Expenses Activity fees, t-shirts, books • Care for individuals who do not live with you • Child support • College tuition • Deposits or registration fees • Diaper service • Enriched programming • Insurance fees • Meals • Medical expenses • Overnight camp • Residential nursing home • Supplies • Transportation fees • Tuition (kindergarten and up) WEmplohayer tCont isribution the FSA? The DCAA employer contribution will be available in 2021 for unions that have agreements to participate in the employer contribution program. The following employees are currently eligible for the employer contribution: The• FlexEmployee Spendings ofA ccExecutivount (FSe BrancA) is ah stat statee employe agenciese , benefiRoswelt thal Part savek Cans ceryou Institute money by, or allowin State g you to payUni veforrsity certai of Nnew ex Yorkpense whos w aitreh dpesignare-tax teddollars M/C. or U representednder this pro bygram CSEA,, you UUP, can N YSchoosCOPBA,e from three dierentGSEU, borenefits: DC-37 •Th e EmployeeHealth Carse of S pethendin Unifieg Adccoun Court t( HCSA)System let, excepts you set thos aside ed esignateany amound ut nrepresentedfrom $100 up to $2,75(Neg0 forotia theting 202 U1nit pla #n88). year to pay for health care expenses that are not reimbursed by your •heal thEmployee insurances of or the other Legislature benefit ,plan. NYSERDA Howev, orer, E onlyFC medically necessary medical, hospital, Thedental, em ployvision,er hearing,contribution and prmayes criptionbe ava ilabdrugle expensto statees em forploye you, esyo urin spouse,other bar andga iningyour elunigitsib le fodependentr the 202s1 canplan be yea reimburser pendindg byconclusio your HCSAn of. negotiations and ratified contracts. Based onTh es alaryDependen , the etmploye Care Advantr contributioage Accountn may p(DCArovidA)e upallow tos $ y80ou0r familfor eyligibl to sete aesidmployeee up tos $5,000 who enrolin pre-taxl in the salary DCAA for elig. Forible e mployecustodialr cchildontributio care, enld uerpdates care, or, pdleasisablede v isidependentt the FSA care websit expeenses at gothaert .narey. gonecessarv/FSA ory for call you 1-800- and 35you8-7202r spouse. , if you are married, to work. The Adoption Advantage Account lets you pay for expenses related to the adoption of an Theligibe 202le1 childPlan wYithea rp Ere-taxmploye dollrar Cs.ontribution Rates are: WhoIf eYou’sr Seligialarybl Is.. . to enroll in the FSA? The Employer Contribution Is... ThUndere HCS $3A0, 000and DCAA are open to New York State employee s of$8 Executiv00 e Branch state agencies, th$3e0, S001tate - $U40,niversit000 y of New York, the Legislature, and the Unifie$700d Court System. Employees of the$40,00 Roswell1 - $50,00 Park0 Cancer Institute, NYS Energy Resear ch and D$evelopm600 ent Authority, New York Liquidation$50,001 - $ 60,00Bureau,0 and Environmental Facilities Corporation are also$50 eligib0 le to participate. However, $60,001 - $70,000 $400 employees who wish to enroll in the HCSA also must: Over $70,000 $300 •GSEU Be Eemployeither pesermanentl only (regardlessy employe of salard ory e) xpect to be e mployed for$6 the00 entire calendar year in which they plan to enroll in the HCSA (employees who work on a semester or school year basis are Planalso your eligib conle)tribution amount carefully • Be annual-salaried It’s important to estimate your expenses carefully. According to IRS Regulations, if you • Work at least half-time overestimate your costs you will lose any money that remains in your account at the •end Mee of tthe the calendar eligibilit yyear. criteria for enrollment in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) and •I wanIf ant toExecutiv save moe Bnerancy onh e mployeemy healt,h be care eithe, dependenr M/C or representet care, ord a bydoptio CSEAn ,expense PEF, UUPs, NanYSCOPBA,d I thinkCounci this lprogram 82, PBANYS can ,h DelpC-37 m,e. P BAWhere, or N canYSPIA. I get more information? CasualVisit the, seasonal Flex S, hpendinourly, perg A dccouniem, fee-basist websit, ande at s goessioer.nn ey.mployeesgov/FSA, asto wveliel was proretireesgram, are not eldetailigibles too nlinenrolle orin theto o HrdeCSAr the. 2021 Flex Spending Account enrollment book. You Thcaen A doptioalso cnal Aldvantag the FSAe A ccounHotlint ise oatpe n8 to700- employee358- 202s of E forxecutiv moree B rancinformation,h state agencies where, the State Universitcustomey rof servic New eYork representative, or Roswell Pars arek C ancereadry Institut to assise wht yoou are. Or, designate you cand M/emaiC orl usrepresente at d byfsa [email protected], UUPy., govNYSCOPBA. , DC-37, PBA-Troopers, and PBA-Supervisors.

Apply online with our easy paperless application process It is easy to enroll in the Flex Spending Account. Just submit your application for enrollment online at goer.ny.gov/FSA or by telephone at 1-800-358-7202. You will need your NYS EMPLIEnrollmenD number, whicth isDe locateadlind on yeou r— paystu Novemb, to completbere y ou30,r application. 2020 TheThe d Flexeadlin Sependin for 202g1 eAnrollmenccount tis is f Nreovembee and reasy 30, 2 to02 use0 at 10:00 p.m. ET and is strictly enforced. Please be sure to enroll by November 30. If you are enrolled for the 2020 plan • Online Application Process • Mobile App to Access Account and year, you must re-enroll to continue your benefits in 2021. • Online Access to Your Account Submit Claims • Toll-Free FSA Hotline • Secure Online Claims Submission • Online Tax Calculators • Debit Card for HCSA Expenses

• Direct Deposit Option • Toll-Free Fax Line for Claims VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO • No Fees 41

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THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 42 https://uupinfo.org/benefits/btf.php

VOL. 7, NO. 1 THE ECHO 43 The last word

MemoriesBY LAWRENCE WITTNER of voterWhen wesuppression arrived at CORE’s tiny cerated at the county prison office, Ronnie was delighted to farm, to go door to door in a ack in July 1962, when, accord- see us and took us to an all-Black Black Jackson neighborhood ing to Donald Trump, America hangout for coffee. In his view, and encourage its residents to was “great,” I was in the Deep and ours, the only safe people in register to vote. This was a South, working to register Black the South were Black. As for local tough job because people voters. It was a near-hopeless project, whites, we considered them all ac- feared retaliation if they dared given the mass disenfranchisement of the tual or potential Nazis, and stayed to exercise their voting rights region’s Black population that was enforced clear of them and their institu- and, also, because they would Bby Southern law and an occasional dose of WITTNER tions. Whether they would stay almost certainly be rejected. At white terrorism. clear of us remained uncertain. the time, Mississippi used a “lit- It all started in the fall of 1961, the begin- Mike and I slept on the Moore family’s entry eracy test” to determine if a citizen was quali- ning of my senior year at Columbia Col- hall floor, and local residents had been fied to vote. A voting registrar would ask a lege. My roommate Mike Weinberg and I, known to fire bullets through the front door. potential registrant to define the meaning of a both white, had joined the campus chapter Although most of the voter registration cam- section in the lengthy state constitution. If of the Congress of Racial Equality and par- paign Mike and I worked on in Baton Rouge you were Black, the registrar said you had ticipated in a few of its proj- was rather mundane, one evening was partic- failed the test; if you were white, you passed. ects. The real action, though, was in the ularly exciting. At dinner time, Ronnie sug- Voter registration work was not only frus- South, swept by sit-ins and Freedom Rides gested that we drive over to Southern trating, but dangerous. The following that demanded an end to racial discrimina- University, from which he and the other CORE summer, Medgar Evers, head of the local tion and, especially, for the right to vote. activists had been expelled for their “crimes.” NAACP, was murdered in Jackson by a white On an evening in the spring of 1962, Ron- As we entered the all-Black dining hall, stu- supremacist for his leadership in a voter regis- nie Moore, a Black CORE Southern field sec- dents started yelling: “It’s Ronnie! It’s Ron- tration campaign. The next June, three partic- retary, brought the news of the Southern nie!” Hundreds of students swiveled around ipants in the Mississippi Freedom Summer freedom struggle to our Columbia CORE and cheers rent the air. Leaping onto one of voter registration project met a similar fate. meeting. Having headed up desegregation the tables, Ronnie made an impassioned Mike and I kept in touch, and were de- efforts in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Ronnie speech about the freedom struggle and, then, lighted when Congress responded to the and three other students at Southern Univer- announced that he had brought with him two scandal of Southern voter suppression with sity, an historically Black institution, were out movement supporters from the North. “Get the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed on bail on “criminal anarchy” charges. The up here, Larry and Mike!” So we jumped up the discriminatory voting practices of the past laws under which they were charged and im- there, too, to deliver strong messages of and established federal oversight of any new prisoned, which provided for a penalty of ten solidarity. We had just about finished when voting procedures in the offending states. years at hard labor and a hefty fine, dated someone rushed in, warning that the campus Imagine, then, our sense of sorrow, mingled back to the state’s early twentieth century security police were on their way and that with disgust, when, in 2013, by a 5-4 vote, repression of union organizing among Black we had better get out of there fast! While the Republican-dominated U.S. Supreme and white timber workers. students ran interference for us, we did. Court gutted the Voting Rights Act. This Stirred by what Ronnie told us, Mike and I One day, Ronnie suggested that Mike and opened the door for numerous Republican- went up to him after his talk and asked him I drive him to Jackson, Mississippi, where a controlled state governments—many but not how we could help the cause. Looking us in region-wide CORE-SNCC conclave would be all Southern—to implement mass purges of the eyes, he said, smiling: “What are you held at the local Freedom House. After dinner, their voter rolls, closure of polling places in boys doing this summer? ... Any chance we drove through northern Louisiana (where minority neighborhoods, government ID that you’ll get to Baton Rouge?” a local gas station operator threatened to kill requirements, felony disenfranchisement, That July, as Mike and I drove along us) and, then, through Mississippi to Jackson. and other barriers that deprived millions of Louisiana roads enveloped in an atmosphere Here, in an abandoned building taken over by Americans of the right to vote. of racial segregation, racist remarks and un- the movement and around which police cars I wonder how Republican leaders can live bearably hot weather, the venture no longer circled menacingly, we joined dozens of CORE with themselves when they betray the most seemed quite as amusing. Nor, after arriving and SNCC activists from the Deep South. At basic principle of democracy. Of all the things in Baton Rouge, was it easy to find Ronnie, night, they had lengthy political discussions, in they have done during their time in power, for CORE wasn’t listed in the phone book. which they expressed their bitterness toward this is surely one of the most despicable. But we did find a Committee on Registration the Kennedy administration for its failure to Education, and figured—with the same back civil rights legislation or to protect move- (Lawrence Wittner is a professor of history acronym—it must be his group. It was. The ment activists from racist violence. emeritus at the University at Albany and the state authorities had obtained a court order During the days, Mike and I joined Lu- author of Confronting the Bomb, published to shut down its predecessor. vaughn Brown, a Black activist recently incar- by Stanford University Press.)

THE ECHO VOL. 7, NO. 1 44