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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

United University Professions ratifies new 4-year contract

Albany, April 29, 2004. Members of United University Professions (UUP) --representing academic and professional faculty on 29 State University of New York (SUNY) campuses -- have overwhelmingly approved a new four-year contract with the state.

UUP President William E. Scheuerman announced that the pact, reached last month, won 96.6 percent approval in the ratification vote conducted by the American Arbitration Association in New York City. It was the highest approval rate in UUP history.

"This strong show of support demonstrates that our members agree that this is a fair contract that addresses their needs," said Scheuerman. "It is also an endorsement of the open, democratic process to which UUP adheres."

Representatives from each of UUP's 33 chapters made up the union's Negotiations Committee. Members of the Negotiations Team, headed by Vice President for Academics Phillip H. Smith, visited all chapters before contract talks began and after they concluded for input and explanations.

"Our members' interests and concerns were reflected in our package and helped guide the team throughout the entire process," Smith said.

Voting for ratification were 10,023 UUP members, as compared to 334 against. Fifteen ballots were declared invalid.

The new agreement runs from July 2, 2003 through July 1, 2007. Its highlights include:

• An $800 lump-sum payment, prorated for part-timers, upon contract ratification;
• Across-the-board, on-base salary increases of 2.5 percent, 2.75 percent and 3 percent over the next three years;
• An $800 on-base salary increase, prorated for part-timers, effective July 1, 2007;
• Annual 1 percent discretionary increases for eligible full- and part-timers in each of the four years of the agreement. The first of these increases will be distributed to every bargaining unit member, under an agreement UUP reached with SUNY Chancellor Robert King;
• A $500 achievement award increase, effective April 1, 2007, for employees with continuing or permanent appointments and those reappointed to five-year term appointments; and
• An $850 contribution per eligible employee by the end of the contract to the UUP Benefit Trust Fund, which covers dental and vision benefits, life insurance and a tuition scholarship for qualified UUP dependents.

There will be no increases in employees' share of the cost of health insurance premiums, with only small increases in their co-pays.

 

 

UUP represents more then 34,000 academic and professional faculty on 29 New York State-operated campuses, and is an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO and New York State United Teachers (NYSUT).    

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