UNITED UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONS NEWS SUNY CANTON CHAPTER (LOCAL 2190)

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1 October 2014 Vol. 1, Issue 6 UNITED UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONS NEWS SUNY CANTON CHAPTER (LOCAL 2190) Fall 2014 Spring 2015 Calendar Membership Meetings: Tuesday 10/7/14 Thursday 1/22/15 Friday 4/10/15 Executive Board Meetings: Tuesday 10/21/14 Thursday 11/20/14 Thursday 1/15/15 Tuesday 2/17/15 Friday 3/20/15 Thursday 4/9/15 Thursday 5/14/15 Delegate Assembly Dates: October 17-18, 2014 January 25-26, 2015 April 17-18, 2015 End of Semester Gatherings: December 5, 2014 May 1, 2015 The Importance of Elections on November 4 By Fred Kowal UUP President Electing pro-education, pro-labor candidates in this year s election is vital for UUP and organized labor across the state. That s why it s so important for UUP members to volunteer to work with the union to help get these candidates through the September primaries and elected in November. There are a number of important races especially in the state Senate that will determine whether we elect a legislature that supports public education, SUNY, and other issues of importance to UUP members. There is no way that I can overstate the importance of this election to all of us in UUP and all of us who work in SUNY. It s vital that you vote in a primary and in the general election November 4th. These elections will go a long way toward determining what happens with SUNY s budget next year and, down the road, our collective bargaining agreement [the next UUP contract ]. We need to be there to show that we are strong and we are proud to be part of this union and the work that it does on behalf of our students, each other and our state university system. Continued on page 3 1

2 Labor Management Meeting Minutes By David Hartle Canton UUP Chapter President A labor management meeting on September 29, 2014 at 3pm in FOB 620. UUP was represented by President David Hartle, Vice President Academics Brian Harte, Vice President Professionals Todd Bates, Contingent Officer Linda Nixon, Secretary Marela Fiacco, and Labor Relations Specialist Kathy Briggs. Canton management was represented by President Dr Szafran, Executive Director for University Relations Lenore VanderZee, VP for Administration/Chief Financial Officer/Operations Mgr Shawn Miller, Director of Human Resources David Rourke, Vice President for Advancement David Gerlach, Assistant to the President Michaela Young, Dean of Academic Support Services/Instructional Technologies Molly Mott, Dean of Students/Chief Student Affairs Officer Courtney Bish, and Interim Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs Karen Spellacy. Items discussed included: Provost Spellacy reported enrollment numbers: First-Time Students, FT 726, PT 13. Transfer Students FT 248, PT 84. Total Students, FT 2793, PT 498. CFO Miller reported that the campus budget will be able to support the academic mission of the campus without impact on UUP members. It was also reported that the campus had a net gain last year and is in discussion regarding an investment of $100k for new faculty positions. Also, the President is looking to increase professional development expenditures by $50k. UUP asked management to share how the discretionary salary awards will be distributed. Dr Szafran stated that the distribution will be decided by the same fashion as last year where UUP members will self-nominate, and then the Deans or Vice Presidents will recommend a ranked list of nominations to his office. There is one addition this year; members can be nominated by others. Contingent members proportional distribution maybe distributed across the board as last year. Human Resources Director Rourke reported that there are 14 professional members who do not have a current evaluation or performance programs. There will be a UUP supervisory workshop on Thursday October 23rd from 12 to 2pm, location TBA. Discussion concluded with the importance of the documents as they pertain to appointment, reappointment, promotion, and salary increases.the UUP professional salary increase and or promotion guideline and application was reviewed. The document now includes signatures and recommendations for each step in the organization structure. UUP requests that the time at each step to be defined as maximum two weeks. Management agreed. Both sides agreed to the following wording The turnaround time needs to normally be two (2) weeks except as specified in the contract. Michaela will put this language in. Still within the contractual requirement of 45 days. UUP asked why the criteria for UUP academic promotions have changed. Discussion included Continued on next page 2

3 the review of the promotions and appeals committee new charge. UUP asked to have a UUP representative on that committee. Dr. Szafran stated to approach faculty affairs and assembly to add the representative. UUP asked why the change in procedure for the evaluation of UUP academic members has changed. Specifically the change in requiring student course comments in all classes and requiring justification from members who may opt out of using the supplied instrument. Dr Szafran agreed to return to the method of allowing opting out without justification. UUP pointed out to management the potential workload impact incurred by members by the last minute requirement of a new 3 week student evaluative tool. Discussion about the use of the information collected and relevancy pursued. UUP requested that member s personnel information be protected by reviewing policies of campus offices as they collect membership information including social security numbers, credit card numbers, and the like. UUP asked if students were allowed access to that information. Management agreed to review application forms and the procedure of collecting and storing member information. UUP asked if any UUP members will be classified as on call/recall eligible. Dr Szafran stated no one is eligible. The Importance of Elections (continued from page 1) NYSUT has endorsed the following candidates in the North Country: Aaron Woolf House of Representatives Joseph Griffo New York State Senate Patty Richie New York State Senate Addie Russell - New York State Assembly Ken Blankenbush New York State Assembly 3

4 The SUNY Canton Chapter of UUP Welcomes You! If you are a new professional or academic employee you received information at the time you were hired about your union - UUP. If you are unsure if you signed a membership card the illustration above shows how you can check. If you have not joined us as a member, consider doing so! It does not cost anything extra to join; in fact you are currently paying what is called an agency fee, which is an amount of money equal to union dues paid to UUP for representing you in such matters as contract negotiations and labor disputes. When you are a member you are entitled to vote on contracts, vote for local chapter representatives or hold office. There are also several benefits available if you are a member. If you haven t joined, our Membership Development Officer Anne Drake will be reaching out to you with more information in the near future. In the meantime if you have questions please feel free to contact Anne or Dave Hartle, Canton Chapter UUP President. Anne can be reached work at or Dave at , or send an to drakea@canton.edu or hartle@canton. edu. We look forward to working with you to make our union as responsive to members as we can. 3

5 Attention UUP Professional Supervisors! UUP will be having a supervisor s workshop Thursday, October 23, 2014 from 12 2 PM in the Kingston Theater. Please mark your calendar and watch for more information. The March Is On By Sabel Bong United University Professionals (UUP) members descended from all corners of New York State to heed the call to march in the New York City Labor Day Parade on Saturday, September 6, Dozens of UUP members and their families left from chartered buses that left from Albany, Syracuse, and Long Island. The Labor Day parade in NYC is one of the largest Labor Day parades in the nation and it is important to send a strong message to local and statewide legislatures that unions are here to stay. I made the trek to Latham to catch a charter bus at 7:30AM on Saturday, September 6 to participate in the march. Driving down the night before the march and getting up at 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday was a challenge for me because I like to sleep in late on Saturdays. However, when I received the call to march in NYC and knowing that labor unions across America are under attack, I knew that I needed to do something to show my support. My decision to participate in the Labor Day parade was a no-brainer. Plus, we all received some really cool UUP t-shirts and hats that I plan to wear at a future date. Sabel Bong (far right) with UUPers! UUP President Fred Kowal made a passionate speech prior to the march about the importance of showing solidarity and supporting VOTE COPE (the voluntary fund set up for UUP s political advocacy). In fact, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and other elected representatives were in attendance at the march. Members of UUP brought their young children, their grandparents, and their students to the march as a lesson in civic engagement. Young children (and some adults) thoroughly enjoyed handing out UUP pencils and flyers to observers. Various other labor unions from New York State were well represented at the march. Even though many of us have busy lives with work, family, and other obligations, it is important to take some time out of our busy schedule to teach the younger generations about civic engagement. What better way to teach the younger generation about civic engagement than by example? If you cannot find time to actively participate in the political/advocacy affairs of UUP, then please consider being a regular contributor to VOTE COPE. 4

6 SUNY Canton UUP Supports Breast Cancer Inititive Jamie Sovie will be heading up our efforts again! We will be selling tickets in the Halford Lobby (FOB Lobby by JT s) on October 7th and 9th from 11am to 2pm and in the Campus Center upper lobby on October 9th. Tickets will also be available through (Jamie Sovie) anytime. She can be reached in her office in Cook 222 or to inquire. Also, Nursing Association students will have tickets to sell by October 10th. The SUNY Canton UUP Chapter has donated a beautiful handmade Amish basket of North Country items such as maple syrup with pancake batter, coffee, granola, local honey and other goodies. This was made by Raquette River Gift Co. This basket will be raffled at the October 18th NYSUT conference along with MANY other baskets and a quilt. Thanks Jamie and Nursing Association students! End of Semester Gathering It may be October, but it s not too early to start thinking about this!! UUP Executive Board member Rajiv Narul is heading up efforts once again to coordinate our gathering. Rajiv welcomes member input and suggestions! If you have an idea to share or would like to help he can be contacted at ext or narular@canton.edu See you at The Club, Court Street, Canton, December 5th, 4-9PM 5

7 IDAP Report for September 2014 By Joanne Fassinger Our campus allocation for IDAP funds for 2014 is $19,187 compared to $13,702 for This is an increase of $5,485. A minimum of 15% must be allocated to part-time employees which is an amount of $2,878. If part time employees do not use these funds, they can and will be allocated to full time faculty/staff UUP members. Full-time funds available are $16,309. In addition, the Canton College Foundation has added an additional $4,000 to the pot which brings us to a grand total of $23, for There are other awards/grants that are available via UUP that my office is investigating and connecting with groups on campus to see if these would be helpful and if there is any interest. Dr. Nuala McGann Drescher Affirmative Action/Diversity Leave Program - One of our members is applying for this to take effect Fall The Dr. Nuala McGann Drescher Affirmative Action/Diversity Leave Program enhances employment opportunities for people who are preparing for permanent or continuing appointments with preference given to minorities, women, employees with disabilities, or an employee with military status. The Affirmative Action/Diversity Committee seeks to promote a broad diversity of award recipients. The types of support available include: payment of employee's regular salary by the campus; salary for a replacement; and other related expenses for research or study with a justification. Campus Grants - The Campus Grants Program is intended to supplement campus funding for projects or activities that would develop or enhance cooperative problem solving, professional development, creative use and understanding of technology, safer working conditions and understanding and facilitating diversity in the workplace. Except in extraordinary circumstances, the maximum amount awarded per application is $15,000. Larger amounts may be considered in special circumstances. Dr. Herbert N. Wright Memorial Safety and Health Training Award Program - The Dr. Herbert N. Wright Memorial Safety and Health Training Award Program provides employees with the opportunity to develop and enhance their ability to identify and control workplace hazards. Funds are available for disbursement for educational, training, and skill building activities at local or remote sites. The maximum individual award under this program is $3,000. An individual may apply for more than one award within the current contract period. Technology Grants - The Technology Grants Program provides funding to facilitate projects or activities that positively affect employment through the application of technology, especially those projects or activities that may impact multiple campuses. This link will give you the guidelines, application deadlines and the link to the application: 6

8 Contact Information David Hartle President NN 120A (x7156) Todd Bates VP for Professionals SL 019 (x7887) Brian Harte VP for Academics Payson 117C (x7967) Terry Waldruff Treasurer FH 209 (x7019) Marela Fiacco Chapter Secretary FO 405 (x7444) Linda Nixon Contingent Concerns Officer Harold Leroux Technology Concerns Officer SL 021 (x7153) Jim Hamilton Health and Safety CH 204 (x7671) Anne Drake Membership Deveolpment Officer FH 100 (x7113) Marcellina Hamilton Representative to the UUP Negotiaions Committee FOB 408 (x3938) Charles Fenner Grievance Officer FOB 404 (x7637) UUP Office Kathleen Briggs Labor Relations Specialist Phone: (518) Fax: (518) UUP Office Lynn Snow, Chapter Assistant Payson Hall 208 (x7052) Monday and Wednesday, 9-2 7

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