35thAnniversaryBooklet

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Making SUNY Work 35 Years and Running ...

United Universit y Professions


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September 19, 2008

Dear Delegates and Friends,

At the 2008 Fall Delegate Assembly, we mark a milestone in the history of UUPa celebration of our unions 35 th anniversary.

From its infancy in 1973 when the union represented 3,500 members, UUP hasgrown in not only numbers, but also in influence. UUP is now the nations largesthigher education union and proudly represents more than 35,000 membersworking on the State Universitys 29 state-operated campuses, plus SystemAdministration and the New York State Theatre Institute. Throughout our history,we have always acted in the best interests of our members. That dedication hasenabled UUP to become the powerful voice it is today.

Weve fought many battles to save the jobs of our members, to achieve fair and equitable contracts, to protectSUNYs hospitals from privatization, and to safeguard SUNY from budget cuts. The lessons weve learnedfrom these challenges only makes us stronger as we face the inevitable challenges to preserve and enhance thequality of our University and working lives.

UUP would not be what it is today without the commitment and enthusiasm of you our leaders and membersspurring us toward greater achievements.

Thank you for your support past, present and future.

In solidarity,

Phillip H. SmithPresidentUnited University Professions

A Message from the President

Phillip H. Smith

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1967: Taylor Law (Public EmployeesFair Employment Act) passes. Publicemployees have the right to bargaincollectively to establish their terms

and conditions of employment.

1968: State University Federation of Teachers (SUFT) files a petitionseeking collective bargaining rights atfive State University of New York(SUNY) campuses.

1970: In the spring, the SenateProfessional Association (SPA) isformed. By fall, the PublicEmployment Relations Board (PERB)

orders a SUNY-wide, single-unitelection. SUFT, the AmericanAssociation of University Professors(AAUP), the Civil Service EmployeesAssociation (CSEA), SPA and noagent are contenders.

1971: In January, SPA, affiliated withthe National Education Association(NEA), is certified by PERB asexclusive bargaining agent. In August,SPA and the state sign a three-yearcontract. Membership reaches 2,000.

1972: United Teachers of New York(UTNY), affiliated with the AmericanFederation of Teachers (AFT), and theNew York State Teachers Association(NYSTA), affiliated with NEA, merge,forming New York State UnitedTeachers (NYSUT).

1973: Representatives of SPA andSUFT meet to discuss a merger,leading to the formation of SUNY/United, later renamed UnitedUniversity Professions (UUP). UUP isaffiliated with NYSUT, AFT andNEA. UUP wins battle for job securityand tuition waivers, and delegateselect Lawrence DeLucia of SUNYOswego as president.

1973: UUP tackles womens issues

and the policy of refusing women theright to work once they became preg-nant. New policies are implementedthat allow pregnant women to work as

long as they are physically able andallow women to use sick and vacationtime to offset any leave without pay.

1974: CSEA petitions PERB for theprofessional portion of the bargainingunit. PERB rejects the bid to split theunit and reaffirms its composition asoriginally established. In June, UUPand the state sign a two-year contractthat includes permanent status for pro-fessionals. Membership reaches 4,000.

1975: Samuel Wakshull of BuffaloState is elected president.

1976: UUP members vote to end affil-iation with NEA.

1977: UUP and the state sign a two-year contract that includes five days of family sick leave and sabbatical leave.Membership grows to 4,400.

1978: In August, the New York Educa-tors Association (NYEA) petitions forbargaining rights. UUP wins PERB-or-dered election and is certified as ex-clusive bargaining agent. UUPnegotiates guaranteed minimumsalaries for full-time employees and abenefits package for part-timers. UUPwins the removal of professional quo-tas for SUNY librarians, paving theway for promotions for librarians onthe same basis as other academics. Asimilar victory is won for SUNY pro-fessionals. Membership soars to 8,000.

1979: UUP members ratify a contractwith salary increases totaling 8 per-cent, plus an extra 1 percent in discre-tionary funds. Bargaining unitmembers receive $5,000 in term lifeinsurance, provided by UUP.

1980: Save SUNY campaignmobilizes thousands in a call for moreSUNY funding. Membership reachesan all-time high of 11,500.

1981: Nuala McGann Drescher of Buffalo State is elected president.Membership climbs to 12,100.

1982: UUP and the state sign a three-year contract that includes a statewideemployee assistant program (EAP).

1983: Sen. Kenneth LaValle and As-semblyman Mark Alan Siegel receivethe unions first Friend of SUNY

Awards. Membership tops 13,000.

1984: UUPs growing legislative in-fluence helps to restore millions to theSUNY budget.

1986: UUP and the state sign a three-year contract. Membership reaches14,500.

1987: John M. Reilly of SUNYAlbany is elected president. Member-ship climbs to 16,000.

1988: UUP and the state sign a three-year contract that includes $3 millionfor distribution by the New YorkState/UUP Joint Labor/ManagementDisparity Committee to fund salarydisparities. Three SUNY undergradu-ates receive the unions first Eugene P.Link College Scholarship Trust Fundscholarships.

1989: UUP opposes SUNYs attemptto impose parking fees on campuses.

1990: UUP completes a three-year-long oral history project, composed of more than 40 interviews detailing thestory of UUPs founding and growth.Membership hits 21,000.

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Milestone Moments


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Milestone Moments1993: William Scheuerman of SUNYOswego is elected president. UUPnames 1993 The Year of the Ag andTech and promotes SUNYs two-year, state-operated colleges to law-makers and the public. Scheuermantestifies against hospital flexibilityplan, which would jeopardize the mis-sion of the Universitys teaching hos-pitals and the integrity of thebargaining unit.

1995: Delegates vote to shift the statusof the unions two statewide vice pres-idents from full time to part time.

1998: Operation Safeguard SUNYfocuses attention on SUNYs impacton the communities in which cam-puses exist. UUP and NYSUT supportthe Sweatshop Free Campaign, whichopposes the sale of any sweatshop-produced merchandise to any institu-tion of public education.

1999: In their unprecedented vote of no confidence in the SUNY Boardof Trustees, the union and Faculty

Senate charge trustees with failing toadvocate for strong financial supportfor SUNY and with disregarding long-established shared governancepractices. UUP and the state begincontract talks; statewide VP forProfessionals Thomas Matthews is theunions chief negotiator.

2000: UUP wins year-round health in-surance for SUNYs 5,300 part-timeemployees, a major victory in wake of national attacks on public employeebenefits. UUP calls on state lawmakersto scrutinize SUNYs proposed landlease deals with private and not-for-profit corporations. Delegates vote toreturn the unions two statewide vicepresidents to full-time status.

2001: Delegates vote 190-90 duringthe Fall Delegate Assembly to removeterm limits for statewide officers.

2002: The number of statewide UUPExecutive Board seats increases from11 to 13, while the chair of the Com-mittee on Active Retired Membership(COARM) becomes a nonvoting boardmember.

2003: New Yorkers give SUNY highmarks and are confident its graduatesare well prepared for the workforce,according to a survey commissionedby UUP. The union unveils an adver-tising campaign called, If you thinkeducation is expensive, try ignorance.A May 3 March for Public Educationdraws 40,000 unionists to Albany to

stress that public education must re-main a top funding priority.

2004: UUP members ratify contract inrecord number (96.6 percent); the newfour-year pact includes a 15.6 percentpay increase. UUP thwarts yet anotherattempt to privatize the Universitysteaching hospitals and UUP files a suitin New York State Supreme Courtagainst Express Scripts Inc. (ESI), thecompany that manages the state-run

prescription drug program, chargingESI with breach of fiduciary duty anddeceptive practices. UUP mourns thedeath of former UUP president JohnTim Reilly.

2005: UUP wins a class-action griev-ance that forces SUNY to pay mini-mum salaries to the 900-plusfaculty/physicians classified as Geo-graphical Full Timers. A first-evercomprehensive telephone survey of nearly 1,100 UUP members finds that60 percent of the agency fee payersquestioned thought they were card-carrying union members. The NursingProfessions Work Group hosts a con-ference to address topics ranging fromnursing education to legislation andpublic policy affecting the profession.UUP names 2005 The Year of thePart-timer.

2006: Five days after a major UUPrally at the state capitol, the Senatefollowed the lead of the Assembly andoverrode Gov. George Patakis vetoesof $60 million in funding for SUNY.UUP unveils its new logo, approvedby UUP focus groups. A new MemberServices Trust Fund is created to offermembers a broad range of discountsand services. The Legislative LectureSeries kicks off with SUNY Buffaloprofessor Barry Boyer discussing en-vironmental issues. Good to Great istheme of UUPs award-winning TVand print advertising blitz.

2007: After months of non-stop politi-cal action from officers testifyingbefore lawmakers, to members protest-ing around the state, to unleashing aviral Internet campaign, to a lawsuitfiled in state Supreme Court theunion successfully thwarts the BergerCommissions recommendation to pri-vatize SUNYs teaching hospitals.UUP influences lawmakers to signOptional Retirement Program (ORP)legislation that would eliminate the

employees pension contribution to theprogram, provided he or she has atleast 10 years of state service. UUPhelps to develop SUNYs new Officeof Diversity and Educational Equity.President Scheuerman steps down totake over the reigns of the NationalLabor College in Silver Spring, Md.,and VP for Academics Fred Floss isnamed acting president.

2008: Phillip H. Smith of UpstateMedical University is elected presi-dent. Members ratify a new four-yearcontract with the state in a record-set-ting 97.5 percent10,297 in favor to249 opposedthat includes salary in-crease of 13.6 percent over the life of the contract. UUP influences lawmak-ers to pass a bill making the agencyshop fee permanent for public employ-ees under the Taylor Law. Membershiptops 35,000.


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The State University of New York experienced a growth spurt in thelate 1960s and early 1970s, fueled by investment from the Rockefelleradministration. The ranks of both faculty and students grew, bringingnot only opportunities but challenges as SUNYs academic and

professional faculty fought to gain fair salaries, employee benefits, job security, tenure, pensions and part-time employee status.In this atmosphere in February 1973, representatives of the Senate

Professional Association (SPA) and the State University Federationof Teachers (SUFT) gathered to discuss a merger. Three months later,the two organizations combined to form SUNY/United. In Octoberof 1973, SUNY/United changed its name to become UnitedUniversity Professions.

From the outset, UUP demonstrated its effectiveness in fighting forthe rights of its membership, and improving their working conditionsand terms of employment. The union continues that fight today toenhance the lives of all its members and to preserve the quality of public higher education. Under the slogan, Working for You, UUPbrought to its members the benefits of collective bargaining, memberservices, political action and community outreach. That workcontinues today as embodied by UUPs current motto, The union thatmakes SUNY work.

UUP extends its influence through its affiliations with NYSUT(New York State United Teachers) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), becoming an integral part of each organization.Through NYSUT, UUP endorses national and statewide politicalcandidates. UUP members contribute to VOTE/COPE, NYSUTsnonpartisan political action fund, and lend their support to endorsed

candidates by staffing phone banks or going door-to-door.UUP advocates on behalf of its members before state lawmakers inAlbany and in their home districts. During stalled contract negotia-tions, the union uses informational picketing, demonstrations andnews media outreach.

The presidents who have led UUP are:The presidents who have led UUP are:

Lawrence DeLucia , State University College at Oswego, 1973-1975

Samuel Wakshull , State University College at Buffalo, 1975-1981

Nuala McGann Drescher , State University College at Buffalo,

1981-1987John (Tim) Reilly , State University at Albany, 1987-1993

William E. Scheuerman , State University College at Oswego,

1993-November 2007

Frederick Floss , State University College at Buffalo,

Acting President, November 2007February 2008

Phillip H. Smith , Upstate Medical University, 2008-present

UUP History at a Glance

Lawrence Delucia

1973-1975

Samuel Wakshull1975-1981

Nuala Drescher1981-1987

John Reilly1987-1993

William Scheuerman1993-2007

Phillip Smith2008-Present

Frederick Floss

2007-2008

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Originally named SUNY/United,United University Professions is cre-ated by an overwhelming merger voteof the memberships of two unions.

The Senate Professional AssociationsRepresentative Council, affiliated withthe National Education Association,votes 55-4 for a merger. Leaders of theState University Federation of Teach-ers, affiliated with the AFT, votes 7-1to merge.

The newly combined union conductsits first Delegate Assembly May 12,1973, amid stalled contract talks and

a huge backlog of unresolvedgrievances.

Lawrence DeLucia wins election asthe unions first president. He is joinedby Fred Burelback of Brockport, vicepresident for academics; PatriciaBuchalter of Albany, vice presidentfor professionals; Dorothy Gutenkauf of Cortland, secretary; Joseph Drewof SUNY Buffalo, treasurer; and Anne

Willcox of Upstate Medical,membership chair.

Delegates elect the following to siton the first 11-member Executive

Board: Michael Linen, UpstateMedical; Fred Miller, Oneonta;Samuel Wakshull, Buffalo State;Dorothy Codkind, Potsdam; StanleyGoldstein, Brooklyn HSC; BarbaraMcCaffrey, Geneseo; Alan Willsey,Cortland; Constantine Yeracaris,SUNY Buffalo; Bernard Parker,Empire State; Raymond Jesaitis,Stony Brook; and Thomas Hines,Farmingdale.

UUP faces the loss of non-teachingprofessionals from its bargaining unit

when the Civil Service Employees As-sociation files a petition to representthem. After hearings are conducted,the Public Employment RelationsBoard declares in favor of UUP as thebargaining agent for all unit members.

UUP successfully overturns theBoard of Trustees policy that barswomen from the right to work oncethey became pregnant. The union winsnew language saying pregnant womancan work as long as they arephysically able.

UUP secures its first contract in June1974, when members vote to ratify thepact by a 4-1 margin. The contractcalls for across-the-board salary hikesof 4 percent and 1 percent in meritmoney. Membership is at 4,000.

UUP successfully goes to bat for itsmembers, securing permanent appoint-ment status for professionals, negotiat-ing five days family sick leave, andestablishing minimum salaries for full-time employees.

UUP stages its first informationalpicket in 1976 at the state Capitol toprotest proposed budget cuts.

1973-1977: Merger creates UUP

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Doing business at UUPs first Delegate Assembly.Doing business at UUPs first Delegate Assembly.

UUPers David Kreh, second from left, and Dorothy Gutenkauf of SUNYUUPers David Kreh, second from left, and Dorothy Gutenkauf of SUNYCortland, discuss pressing union business at the unions first DelegateCortland, discuss pressing union business at the unions first DelegateAssembly in 1973.Assembly in 1973.


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The New York EducatorsAssocia-tion/National EducationAssociation(NYEA/NEA) forces a representationelection in 1978, vying with UUP for theright to represent SUNY academic andprofessional faculty. UUPemerges victo-rious by nearly 2,000 votes.UUP overcomes another challenge, onethat would have separated Stony BrookHSC from the bargaining unit. In a peti-tion, the Health Science Center Councilargues the HSC has a separate commu-nity of interest and a unique mission thatsets it apart from the rest of SUNY.PERB rejects the petition, ruling that thedifferences cited are inherent in the over-all makeup of a university.

UUP calls for a 15 percent across-the-board salary hike for its members for

1978-79, in the final year of the unionscontract when salaries were the onlynegotiable item. The state counters witha 4 percent offer. The union negotiates a9 percent salary hike. The union also se-cures a benefits package for part-timeemployees.

UUPs membership continues to grow,reaching 12,300 in 1982 more thantriple the number from 1974.

Non-members begin to pay an agency

fee as Gov. Hugh Carey signs into law abill establishing agency fees in publicemployment. The law stipulates that allmembers of public employee bargainingunits pay a fee equivalent to union dues.

Gov. Carey signs a bill backed by

NYSUT that repeals the Taylor Law one-year probation penalty for public em-ployees who strike.

UUPbrings 3,000 members toAlbanyin 1980 to support public funding forhigher education.

1978-1982: Representation victories

Gov. Jerry Brown, right, meets with UUPers at SUNY Farmingdale duringGov. Jerry Brown, right, meets with UUPers at SUNY Farmingdale duringhis 1980 presidential campaign.his 1980 presidential campaign.

UUP President Samuel Wakshull, seated, second from right, celebrates UUPs win in 1978s representation electionUUP President Samuel Wakshull, seated, second from right, celebrates UUPs win in 1978s representation electionover rival New York Higher Education Association. To Wakshulls right is former UUP Executive Director Evelynover rival New York Higher Education Association. To Wakshulls right is former UUP Executive Director EvelynHartman; to his left is Edward Alfonsin of SUNY Potsdam.Hartman; to his left is Edward Alfonsin of SUNY Potsdam.

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Facing a proposed state budget thatPresident Nuala Drescher describes asa recipe for the destruction of SUNY, UUP musters its forces tobring more than 1,000 unionists andstudents to Albany for a Save SUNYrally. They are responding to Gov.Mario Cuomos Executive Budgetproposal to lay off more than 3,000SUNY academic and professionalfaculty. UUPs advocacy helps rescuethe jobs, as the state Legislature adds$15.9 million to the governorsbudget, eliminating the need for

layoffs.The union passes another majortest when a group of so-calleddisinterested taxpayers pushes for agraduated tuition increase based on thefamilys ability to pay. UUP warns theproposed sliding scale would forcestudents to pay 60 percent of theiroverall education costs.

UUP opens its Member Benefitsdepartment in 1983 as part of the

unions drive to enhance theservice it provides to mem-bers.

The menu of member bene-

fits keeps improving, as UUPcollaborates with the state tooffer a statewide EmployeeAssistance Program (EAP).The EAP offers confidentialassistance to help membersget support and treatmentfrom human service agencies.

UUP begins honoring statelegislators who lend excep-tional support to SUNY withits annual Friend of SUNYAward. Sen. Kenneth LaValleand Assemblyman Mark AlanSiegel proudly walk awaywith the initial awards in1983.

Membership continues to in-crease, reaching 16,000 in1987.

1983-1987: Fighting for survival

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Assemblyman Mark Alan Siegel speaks at a Save SUNY rally at the state CapitolAssemblyman Mark Alan Siegel speaks at a Save SUNY rally at the state Capitolin 1983 as former UUP President Nuala Drescher applauds.in 1983 as former UUP President Nuala Drescher applauds.

More than 1,000 SUNY students, faculty and staff attend a Save SUNYMore than 1,000 SUNY students, faculty and staff attend a Save SUNYrally at the state Capitol in 1983 to protest Gov. Cuomos plan to lay offrally at the state Capitol in 1983 to protest Gov. Cuomos plan to lay offmore than 3,000 academic and professional faculty.more than 3,000 academic and professional faculty.


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UUP members resoundingly ratify athree-year contract that includes abase salary hike of 16.3 percent overthe duration of the contract. The pactalso features $1 million in ExcellenceAwards, jointly administered by UUP

and the state.The union mounts a drive to exempt

higher education employees from thefinancial disclosure requirements inthe Ethics in Government Act. UUPcontends the disclosure rulesconstitute a heavy burden on theemployees.

UUPs Task Force onUndergraduate Education finishes itsreport in response to criticisms

contained in the Carnegie Report onUndergraduate Education.

The union secures $3 million tofund salary disparities, with the fundsdistributed by the NYS/UUP JointLabor/Management DisparityCommittee.

UUP awards its first Eugene P. Linkstudent scholarships. The scholarshipbears the name of a founding member

of the union who taught history atSUNY Plattsburgh. The awards arenow known as UUP CollegeScholarships.

The states four largest public em-ployee unions (CSEA, PEF, Council

82 of AFSCME and UUP) join forcesin 1991 to protest an ExecutiveBudget proposal that threatened to cutthousands of workers from the state

payroll.UUPs Benefit Trust Fund is created

to provide dental, vision care andprescription drug coverage formembers and their families.

The union reaches out to Cesar

Chavez, president of the United FarmWorkers, as his union begins a 36-dayprotest fast to spotlight the plight of farm workers.

1988-1992: Salary gains

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The states four largest public employees unions (CSEA, PEF, Council 82 of AFSCME and UUP) join forces inThe states four largest public employees unions (CSEA, PEF, Council 82 of AFSCME and UUP) join forces in1991 to protest an Executive Budget proposal that threatened to cut thousands of workers from the state1991 to protest an Executive Budget proposal that threatened to cut thousands of workers from the statepayroll. Second from right is former UUP President John Tim Reilly.payroll. Second from right is former UUP President John Tim Reilly.

United Farm Workers leader Cesar Chavez, speaks to UUPers at aUnited Farm Workers leader Cesar Chavez, speaks to UUPers at ameeting in 1990.meeting in 1990.


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UUP delegates resoundinglyapprove the organization of the NewYork State Theatre Institute (NYSTI)chapter for about 30 employees. The

union retains bargaining rights forNYSTI staff despite a massive statebudget cut and the states transferringcontrol of NYSTI to a public benefitcorporation.

UUPers rally outside SUNY CentralAdministration in Albany in 1995 inresponse to the Rethinking SUNYplan by the Universitys Board of Trustees, urging the board not tocommit SUNY-cide.

A new level of activism peaks inFebruary 1997, with an unprecedentedweek of demonstrations on campusesacross the state to protest stalled con-tract talks, proposed budget cuts andthe suspension of UUPs Benefit TrustFund.

UUP mounts opposition to a Senate-supported hospital flexibility bill.The union provides compellingtestimony against the bill, including its

lack of job protections for unionemployees at SUNYs teachinghospitals.

Vice President for AcademicsWilliam Scheuerman of Oswego winselection as UUP president, succeedingJohn Reilly of Albany.

A legislative intern program namedafter Reilly begins in 1993. The pro-gram introduces SUNY students toUUP, gives them exposure to majorissues, offers support for UUP staff and provides them a student perspec-tive. Mary Jo DiBernardo, a graduatestudent at SUNYAlbanys RockefellerCollege of Public Administration andPolicy, is the first intern.

A survey of newer members revealsthat workload issues are a major con-cern. Among the surveys other find-ings: 75 percent of professionals report

they experienced increased deadlinepressures; and 80 percent believeunion participation would not have a

negative effect on their chances forpromotion, permanent appointment ordiscretionary increases.

1993-1997: Activism accelerates

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Former UUP President William E. Scheuerman, left, and Jogindar Uppal ofFormer UUP President William E. Scheuerman, left, and Jogindar Uppal ofSUNY Albany, join with 300 other UUPers in March 1995 to rally againstSUNY Albany, join with 300 other UUPers in March 1995 to rally againstproposed cuts to SUNY in the 1995-96 Executive Budget.proposed cuts to SUNY in the 1995-96 Executive Budget.

Henry Steck of SUNY Cortland, front, joins Ed Wesnofske, back left, PaulHenry Steck of SUNY Cortland, front, joins Ed Wesnofske, back left, PaulLilly, center, and Jose Betancourt, right, all of SUNY Oneonta, to protestLilly, center, and Jose Betancourt, right, all of SUNY Oneonta, to proteststalled contract talks at a demonstration at SUNY Central in April 1997.stalled contract talks at a demonstration at SUNY Central in April 1997.


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UUP: 35 years and1. UUP President Phillip Smith, explains details of the 2003 Legislative Campaign.2. Candy Merbler of SUNY Albany, circa mid-1980s.3. Eric Russell of Brooklyn HSC, left, Jean Dickson of SUNY Buffalo, center, and JayGilbert of Empire State College, right, perform at the 1997 Fall Delegate Assembly.

8. Richard Barton, UUP Field Representative, left, and Charles Hansen, SUNYStony Brook chapter president, right, march at a 1983 Stony Brook campus rally.9. Randy Kaplan, SUNY Geneseo, celebrates regaining her job in 1998.10. Former UUP President Bill Scheuerman is arrested during an August 2005 rallyto defend the organizing rights of New York University graduate students.

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4. John Marino, VP forProfessionals, left, discussesUUP business in 2003 withJeri Anne Jerminario ofSUNY Oneonta.5. David Emmerich and JanetSteins of SUNY Stony Brookat the 1991 Winter DelegateAssembly.6. UUP Treasurer RowenaBlackman-Stroud speaks atthe 1991 Spring DelegateAssembly.7. Tom Matthews of SUNYGeneseo and Ed Alfonsin ofSUNY Potsdam, have adiscussion at a 1984 UUPmeeting.

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still going strong!

17. Henry and Diane Geerken ofSUNY Cobleskill, with daughterKaty, at a protest in 1985.18. UUPers rally at the stateCapitol to urge lawmakers tooverride Gov. Patakis veto of $60million in SUNY funding inApril 2006.19. Samuel von Winbush ofSUNY Old Westbury, right, at a1989 Delegate Assembly.

14. Eileen Landy, UUP Secretary at a 2004 UUP rally.15. Al Ermanovics of Buffalo Center and Judy Wishnia of SUNY Stony Brook rally forSUNY funding in Jan. 1999.16. Julitta Jo of SUNY Stony Brook sings songs of solidarity at a Delegate Assembly,

circa early-1990s.

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11. Fred Floss, VP forAcademics, left, and PattyBentley of SUNY Plattsburghdiscuss UUP business at a 1999meeting at the Legislative Office

Building.12. Ed Quinn, MembershipDevelopment Officer at a rally inMay 2002 in NYC in support of theUFT who were without a contract.13. Former UUP President SamuelWakshull at a rally for SUNY fundsat the state Capitol in the 1970s.

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UUP and NYSUT team up andachieve a major legislative triumphwhen the state Legislature approvesmanagement flexibility legislation forSUNYs teaching hospitals.

Operation Safeguard SUNYkicks off on campuses statewide, acampaign consisting of events and

activities designed to attract public-ity to the University and its majorimpact on the communities where itscampuses are located.

UUP members raise thousands of dollars and collect personal items andother essentials to help their col-leagues affected by devastating icestorms that hit the North Country.NYSUT creates a fund to aid victims

of the storm.More than 2,200 UUP professionals

cite promotions, salary increases, com-pensatory time, performance programsand evaluations as their top concernsin a statewide survey conducted by theunion.

The Voice upgrades to a four-colormagazine from a two-color tabloid.

UUP and NYSUT work to supportthe campaign of Rep. CharlesSchumer for the U.S. Senate. Politicalanalysts credit teachers and unionistsfor his victory over incumbent Sen.

Alfonse DAmato, who lost by about400,000 votes, roughly the size of

NYSUTs membership.

UUP backs the New York StateLabor-Religion Coalitions Campaignfor Sweatfree Schools in New York.UUP joins NYSUT in pledging theiropposition to the sale to all SUNYcampuses of any merchandise pro-duced by sweatshops.

VOTE/COPE contributions reachnearly $80,000.

1998-2002: Helping SUNY hospitals

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Ivan Steen, SUNY Albany, left, places a sticker on Albany Mayor Gerald D.Ivan Steen, SUNY Albany, left, places a sticker on Albany Mayor Gerald D.Jennings at the Operation Safeguard SUNY, event at SUNY Albany in 1998.Jennings at the Operation Safeguard SUNY, event at SUNY Albany in 1998.

The initiative, staged at campuses statewide, was designed to illustrate theThe initiative, staged at campuses statewide, was designed to illustrate theUniversitys impact on communities that host SUNY campuses.Universitys impact on communities that host SUNY campuses.

SUNY campuses, like SUNY Plattsburgh, inset, were covered with a thickSUNY campuses, like SUNY Plattsburgh, inset, were covered with a thickcoat of ice after devastating ice storms hit the North Country in 1998.coat of ice after devastating ice storms hit the North Country in 1998.Above, UUPers at SUNY Canton raised thousands of dollars and set upAbove, UUPers at SUNY Canton raised thousands of dollars and set upshelters to aid residents affected by the storms.shelters to aid residents affected by the storms.


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UUPers take to the streets in SUNYcommunities in March 2003 handingout SUNY bucks, symbolizing thedollars generated by their local SUNY

campuses. The action comes in re-sponse to the governorsproposed $183.5 millionbudget cut for SUNY thatcould mean the loss of nearly 4,000 faculty posi-tions. UUPs advocacy ef-forts pay off, as the stateLegislature votes to restorethe funds.

UUP applauds the budget request ap-proved by SUNYs Board of Trusteesin late 2004 that aggressively advo-cates for more funds, a stark reversalto years of requesting flat budgets. Thepayoff comes in the form of a statebudget that passes in April 2005 thatprovides an additional $132.9 millionfor SUNY.

In 2006, UUP rallies at the stateCapitol urging the state Legislature tooverride Gov. George Patakis vetoesof $60 million in budget funds for

SUNY. Five days later, lawmakerssuccessfully override the vetoes,giving SUNY its best budget in 15years.

In late 2006, the Berger Commissionpresents its plan to remove UpstateMedical in Syracuse and merge it withCrouse Hospital. UUP steps up thepressure by conducting three simulta-neous rallies in Albany, StonyBrook and Syracuse against theplan, along with a multi-mediacampaign.

UUP sues the state and the commis-sion, describing the move to privatizeUpstate as illegal, unconstitutionaland irrational. UUPs public aware-ness and advocacy efforts keep Up-state within SUNY. The outcome alsostops any efforts to privatize SUNYsother hospitals in Brooklyn and StonyBrook.

In 2007, UUP helps SUNY to aneven better budget, with the state Leg-islature adding an extra $17.5 millionfor a total funding increase of $160.7

million.

Years of advocacy reap a majoraward as Gov. Eliot Spitzer signs ORP(Optional Retirement Plan) legislationinto law in 2007. As a result, stateemployees who participate in ORPwith 10 years or more of state serviceare no longer required to contribute3 percent of their salary to the cost of their pension. UUPs advocacy effortincludes 4,000 faxes sent to the gover-nors office.

In the waning days of 2007, UUPand New York state reach a tentativeagreement on a new four-year con-tract. The deal provides raises of 13.6percent over the course of the agree-ment. UUP members ratify the agree-ment, with 97.5 percent in favor of thecontract, the highest percentage in theunions history.

UUP President William Scheuerman

joined some 600 protestors ata solidar-ity rally on the campus of New YorkUniversity in support of NYUs gradu-ate student unions right to bargain.

The demonstration culminated withthe arests of 76 union leadersand protestorsincludingScheuermanall led away inhandcuffs.

UUPers work to change thepolitical course of the nationin the 2006 mid-term election,helping the Democrats takecontrol of Congress. Unionists

play a key role in electing KirstenGillibrand to the House, unseatingRepublican incumbent John Sweeney.

UUPs contributions to VOTE/COPEtop $200,000.

The unions drive to have SUNYdevote more resources to the needs of diverse faculty and students leads tothe creation of the SUNY Office of Diversity and Educational Equity.

In 2007, UUP establishes a newMember Services Trust Fund, offeringexpanded discounts and services.

William Scheuerman resigns as UUPpresident to become president of theNational Labor College. The UUPExecutive Board appoints FrederickFloss, vice president for academics, asacting president. In February 2008,UUP delegates elect Phillip H. Smithof Upstate as president.

2003-2007: Protesting privatization

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UUPers brave the cold to protest theUUPers brave the cold to protest theBerger Commissions proposal toBerger Commissions proposal toprivatize SUNY hospitals.privatize SUNY hospitals.


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Facing the futureIt is abundantly clear that UUP has

faced and met a series of major chal-

lenges over its 35-year history. More

challenges lie in the future, including

the need to enhance the quality of

SUNY despite hard economic times

and the potential for future budget

cuts.

Now perhaps more than ever

UUP will likely need to tap its collec-

tive strength to safeguard SUNY and

the best interests of its members. In

solidarity, the union is on its way to

meeting the challenges that lie ahead.

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Michael and Kimberly Behun of Buffalo Center bring their children to aMichael and Kimberly Behun of Buffalo Center bring their children to arally to stop SUNY budget cuts.rally to stop SUNY budget cuts.

Fern Becker of SUNY Purchase, left, Yolanda Pauze of SUNY Farmingdale, center, and Sharon Belle-Render of SUNYFern Becker of SUNY Purchase, left, Yolanda Pauze of SUNY Farmingdale, center, and Sharon Belle-Render of SUNYBrockport, right, take part in a New Leaders workshop in Bolton Landing in March 2008.Brockport, right, take part in a New Leaders workshop in Bolton Landing in March 2008.


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35thAnniversaryBooklet

Documents