Spring Leadership Workshops: Leaders learn the ropes

Make no mistake about it: The strength of the 480,000-member New York State United Teachers is firmly behind UUP and its legislative program.

“Your agenda is our agenda” was the message from NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin to nearly 75 chapter leaders attending UUP’s spring Leadership Work-shops in Bolton Landing. Lubin kicked off the two-day event with a promise that NYSUT will continue to work hand-in-hand with UUP to win the toughest legislative battles. “We don’t give up,” he added.

UUP’s eight-point political agenda includes, among other things, more full-time faculty lines; better salaries at the University Colleges of Technology; and a fiscal commitment to SUNY’s hospitals. Lubin also said NYSUT is pressing lawmakers to pass an early retirement incentive that will allow for the replacement of retiring SUNY and CUNY workers.

Lubin credited the union’s leadership with securing Health Care Reform Act (HCRA) legislation, landing an additional $92 million for University health science centers. SUNY hospitals were not included in the original bill.

“We would not have gotten this legislation without UUP advocacy in the state Legislature,” he said. “You explained to lawmakers why they have a vested interest in the hospitals.”

Chapter leaders then got down to the business at hand: learning the ins and outs of the UUP bargaining agreement, grievance procedures and the chapter structure, as well as strategies to combat workplace violence. The workshops were conducted by UUP/NYSUT labor relations specialists.

Certificates went to nearly two dozen unionists who completed the three-part sessions. Awarded were: Diane Belanger, Toni Freeman-Coughlin, Raymond Dannenhoffer, John Delate, Herbert Fink, Eudelle Marshall, Candace Merbler, Stephen Rosow, Idalia Torres, Ezra Zubrow, Sergei Abramovich, Albert Ermanovics, Barbara Hillery, Kate Latal, Bernice Noble, Robert Noble, Robert Rees, Michael Stein, Margaret Taylor, Danny Too, Wilfred Wharff, Eric Wildrick and Benjamin Williams.

— Karen L. Mattison