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Topics - Danharms

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1
March 24, 2023 Council Meeting @ SUNY Maritime / UUP Liaison Report
« on: March 24, 2023, 09:06:10 AM »
UUP Liaison Report
Dan Harms

Don't forget to watch your mail for your chapter elections ballots!

UUP CALLS FOR MORE FUNDING TO STABILIZE 19 SUNY CAMPUSES AND TEACHING HOSPITALS AT ALBANY ADVOCACY DAY
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/230214.php


2
January 20, 2023 Council Meeting @ VIRTUAL / UUP Report
« on: January 13, 2023, 01:48:09 PM »
UUP Liaison Report
Dan Harms

I will be on a research trip at our meeting time.

Telecommuting Agreement Extended to June 30
https://uupinfo.org/communications/uupdate/230106.php

Statement from UUP President Fred Kowal on the 2023 SUY Budget Request
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/221214A.php

UUP Press Release on Campus Deficits
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/221206.php

I am curious if anyone can report people being hired in librarian lines without an M.LS. or equivalent, for positions where this has not been the historical practice.


3
November 4, 2022 Council Meeting @ VIRTUAL / UUP Liaison Report
« on: November 04, 2022, 08:55:24 AM »
UUP Liaison Report
Dan Harms

Check the Members section of the UUP website for updates on the contractual process.

UUP Urges Lawmakers to Reverse Multi-Million Dollar Deficits
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/221020.php

UUP Chapters Celebrate Campus Equity Week
https://uupinfo.org/communications/uupdate/221026.php

Don't forget to vote next week, if you haven't already!

4
September 16, 2022 Council Meeting @ VIRTUAL / UUP Update
« on: September 15, 2022, 06:35:43 PM »
UUP Liaison’s Report
Dan Harms

The state and UUP have met four times to discuss the next contract. A detailed negotiations bulletin has been posted in the Members section of the UUP website.

Action: Urge Governor Hochul to Amend Labor Law to Allow for Public Employee Loan Forgiveness
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/urge-gov-hochul-to-sign-s8389-ca9523-b-into-law

Telecommuting Agreement Extended through 2022
https://uupinfo.org/communications/uupdate/220819.php

UUP Press Release on NYS Budget
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/220728.php

5
UUP Liaison’s Report
Dan Harms

As of May 27, negotiations for the next contract began, with UUP delivering its list of conceptual proposals to the state. I’ll be discussing these at the meeting. Two more meetings with the state are scheduled for June.

I recently requested the list of the state titles for academics, in order to get some idea of librarian promotions. The figures below are taken from those SUNY academic faculty at associate level or higher:

                                                          Librarians            Non-librarians

Asst. Lib. / Instructor                                  7%                2%

Sr. Asst Lib. / Asst. Prof.                            37%                25%

Associate                                                  46%                38%

Full                                                            9%                30%

Distinguished                                              1%                5%


To attempt to mitigate questions about seniority and accomplishment regarding the higher levels, I looked at the population at associate level or above (thus, people who have likely been promoted at least once already):

    Percent of librarians at full or distinguished rank:         19%
    Percent of non-librarians at full or distinguished rank:     48%

6
Dan Harms, UUP Liaison to SUNYLA

Take Action to Fully Fund Our Colleges and Hospitals:
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-albany-to-fully-fund-sunys-campuses-and-public-teaching-hospitals/

Save SUNY Hospitals
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/220322.php

I also have a presentation to give on research study time survey results.

7
January 21, 2022 Council Meeting @ SUNY Delhi / UUP Liaison Report
« on: January 20, 2022, 10:00:36 AM »
UUP Liaison Report
Dan Harms

UUP and State Extend Telecommuting Agreement
https://uupinfo.org/communications/uupdate/220103.php

UUP President Fred Kowal on Governor's Executive Budget
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/220118.php

Kowal on UUP Vaccination Mandate
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/211231.php

Reach out to our negotiators for the next contract: https://uupinfo.org/negotiations/ (scroll down for email)

Items for Discussion: A-48 Committee, Salary Compression

8
UUP Liaison Update
Dan Harms, Liaison to SUNYLA

I will likely not be attending, as I have a union event this morning.

UUP President Fred Kowal on Disinvestment of SUNY
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/211027.php

Kowal on Working with Kathy Hochul
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/210810.php

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question on the SUNYLA-L listserv to help with salary compression determinations. This material has been sent on to the statewide officers to see what can be done.

Your campus chapters are sending out a member survey to determine their priorities for the upcoming round of negotiations. Please watch for it, participate, and encourage your colleagues to do so.

9
September 17, 2021 Council Meeting @ MVCC / UUP Liaison Report
« on: September 16, 2021, 06:41:31 PM »
UUP Liaison’s Report
Dan Harms, Liaison

Statement by Fred Kowal on working with Kathy Hochul as NY Governor:
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/210810.php

Statement on the Governor’s COVID-19 Vaccine Directives for State Employees, Health Care Workers
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/210728.php

UUP will be engaged in contract negotiation talks soon.

Alissa Karl is the new Vice President for Academics. I look forward to working with her.

The last round of contractual money to address salary compression is scheduled for December.

Questions:
1)   To what degree is your campus using the SUNY Telecommuting Policy to allow library employees to telecommute?
2)   Has telecommuting come up in the hiring or retention of employees?

10
June 16, 2021 Council Meeting @ VIRTUAL (Annual) / UUP Liaison Report
« on: June 16, 2021, 09:17:13 AM »
UUP Liaison Report
Dan Harms

Don't forget to take the UUP Survey on Protected Time for Librarians:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UUPLibrarianTime

UUP Supports Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations for SUNY Students
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/210510.php

Talks continue about a continuation of the Telecommuting Agreement. Childcare during this summer is a key issue.

UUP announced the Negotiations Team for the next contract. Watch for opportunities to voice your concerns, and don't forget to advocate for yourselves and your colleagues.

11
March 26, 2021 Council Meeting @ VIRTUAL / UUP Liaison Report
« on: March 26, 2021, 09:16:11 AM »
UUP Liaison’s Report
Dan Harms
March 26, 2021

UUP was instrumental in its advocacy for getting statewide workers vaccinations on a widespread basis.

The stimulus money from the federal government is most welcome, but statewide advocacy efforts are still important, and this is a critical time for reaching out.

We’re already prepping for the next round of contract negotiations. Please contribute your views when you get the opportunity.

I’ll give an update on my explorations of librarian salaries and compression money.

Statement by Fred Kowal on the March 16 Attacks
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/210319.php

Statement on the COVID-19 Vaccinations
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/210310.php

Call for Expanded Access and Diversity
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/210311.php

Get involved:
https://uupinfo.org/

12
January 15, 2021 Council Meeting @ VIRTUAL / UUP Liaison Report
« on: January 14, 2021, 11:55:51 AM »
UUP Liaison Report
Dan Harms

Contractual raises have been once again delayed, this time through March. UUP is taking appropriate measures to ensure the enforcement of our contracts.

I’m interested in getting feedback on vaccinations for librarians and library workers. At this time, “in-person college instructors” are eligible for vaccination on the first phase of Group 1b. This does not cover a number of roles for which our workers might need to be on campus. UUP is advocating the state for a broader definition of educational workers, as was done in K-12. (Update: As of 1/14, NYLA is advocating for the same.)

We could really use help with our advocacy efforts to raise state funding and head off massive cuts: https://uupinfo.org/resources/raisingrevenue/

I will be reporting on the distribution of the salary compression funds at the meeting.

In the news:

UUP President Kowal Calls for Removal of President Trump
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/210107.php

Kowal Speaks Out on Capitol Attack
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/210106A.php

Kowal on the Federal Coronavirus Relief Package
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/201222.php

13
November 13, 2020 Council Meeting @ VIRTUAL / UUP Liaison Report
« on: November 13, 2020, 09:40:29 AM »
UUP Liaison Report
Dan Harms

Press Release on Student Testing
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/200906.php

Fred Kowal on Mandatory Employee Testing Agreement
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/200914.php

Fred Kowal Re-Elected as UUP President
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/201026.php

Rally on Stock Transfer Tax
https://www.news10.com/news/ny-news/activists-rallying-for-stock-transfer-tax/

Support the Millionaire's Tax
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/pass-a-new-covid-19-mitigation-package-that-provides-crucial-support-to-new-york-state

Sign Up to Volunteer in Georgia
https://www.aftvotes.org/volunteer-ga

Call Your Legislator
https://uupinfo.org/legislation/advocacy.php

Talk with your chapter officers about any increase in workload.

14
September 18, 2020 Council Meeting @ VIRTUAL / UUP Liaison Report
« on: September 15, 2020, 02:29:16 PM »
UUP Liaison’s Report
Dan Harms

UUP will be conducting a virtual Delegate Assembly on September 25, in order to set up procedures to vote for officers.

UUP also conducted a Tele-Town Hall for librarians and library workers on July 13.

UUP President Fred Kowal’s Statement on SUNY/UUP Agreement on Mandatory COVID-19 Testing for Employees
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/200914.php

Fred Kowal’s Statement on SUNY Adopting Surveillance Testing
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/200906.php

Fred Kowal’s Statement on the Selection of a New SUNY Chancellor
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/200819.php

Fred Kowal’s Statement on the Jacob Blake Shooting
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/200826.php



Take action to advocate for SUNY Funding
https://uupinfo.org/legislation/agenda.php




UUP Librarians and Library Professionals Webinar
Monday, July 13 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

1.   Welcome and thank you from statewide UUP officers
•   UUP has goal to get telecommuting agreement extended through December. Builds on existing telecommuting agreement to use it to protect employees who are vulnerable or immunocompromised (including families)
o   Overarching goal is to reduce density on campus. This is key to keeping everyone safe and making reopening feasible. Childcare and elder care are also issues tied up with need for telecommuting
o   Some campuses have not been using the telecommuting agreement to the fullest. Chapter leaders and Labor Relations Specialists are working on that through Labor-Management discussions.
•   While UUP is advocating for members at the state level, it is important that individual issues be brought to chapter officers and Labor Relation Specialists.
•   UUP will take the position that public access to SUNY libraries is inappropriate and unsafe. President Kowal will discuss this with SUNY. Public access to Libraries should not be allowed during the pandemic, similar to how other campus functions will not be open to the public.
•   UUP has been on the record asking SUNY for baseline testing of all individuals students and employees before returning to prevent campus outbreaks.  Many private colleges are adopting this approach and public sector colleges should do it as well.
o   UUP needs your help: sign the UUP petition which calls on SUNY for public hearing for members and stakeholders to voice concerns.  Signers can be any campus employees.  This may push SUNY to require testing and other precautions
   So far, no SUNY campus is conducting baseline or surveillance testing
o   SUNY and legislators may be open to this hearing. But we need more signatures on the petition
•   On July 13 Governor Cuomo released guidance for K-12 schools. Each school must develop specific reopening plans by the end of July. This has big implications for childcare this fall, and parents’ ability to work on campus vs telecommuting. Stay tuned

2.   A review of the questions submitted by members along with a general information update
•   What are rights to decline campus work if we feel at risk? What are HR criteria for working at home?
o   If you are directed to work from your station, you are obligated to comply. Not doing so may result in disciplinary action. UUP is arguing that campuses should respect formal requests for working at home due to increased risk. Employees should be allowed to telecommute if they can do their job responsibilities from home. Also, personal high risk for COVID is covered by ADA, so there is formal request process with HR. Family members who are high risk or staff with kids needing care should also be able to make requests. But there will be some staff who have to work on campus.  That’s when we need to make sure campus safety plans are followed closely. If you feel at risk on campus, you can decline to work – but while this is a defense against disciplinary actions that could be taken for refusing to work on campus, it may not be accepted. You may lose in a disciplinary proceeding.  No easy, clear answers. 
•   What right do employees have not to report to campus when their campuses are not following their registered reopening plan? What support is the union able to provide
o   UUP needs to hear about this immediately. This will become an instant phone call to SUNY officials. Let LRSs and UUP officers know and they will act quickly.
•   Can I be required to work on campus and be assigned duties that I have not been required to do in past,  e.g. clean desks/public computers, shelve books, circulate materials, monitor user behavior?
o   Personal responsibility for everyone – do what you can to keep yourself and neighbors safe. You are expected clean up after yourself. Deep cleaning is not responsibility of staff. Let your chapter leaders know if you have been asked to do substantial cleaning. Students should also be given personal responsibility for cleaning their work areas. Staff should issue gentle reminders to students, but shouldn’t need to do more. Campuses should develop specific policies for enforcement
o   Cleaning guidelines for bathrooms should be developed by campuses to fit unique needs of each campus.
o   We can expect campuses to issue specific guidelines for cleaning and social distancing processes. If there are holes, talk to chapter officers or UUP’s Labor Relations Specialist.
o   At some campuses, library employees told that “additional cleaning throughout the day will be the responsibility of campus staff and patrons.” There doesn’t seem to be anyone else identified to clean these facilities.
o   Enforcement is a controversial subject right now, especially with lots of people saying they don’t want UPD on campus for any reason. Staff should just issue gentle reminders to colleagues and students. Administrators and leaders should reinforce with strict policies and clear lines of responsibility.
o   As for extension of duties – talk to chapter officers and Labor Relations Specialists to  and make sure individual issues are immediately addressed.  This also brings the issue to UUP state-wide attention to be included in next round of negotiation.
   Also, rules around extra work are different from rules around extension or changes to work schedule or hours. Offsetting time and responsibilities or extra service pay on temporary basis may be solutions.  Finally, for Professionals compensatory time may be granted. There should be a performance program that tracks all hours/schedules/responsibilities that can be reviewed to see if offsets are needed. Do not take on extra work without first raising the issue fully with UUP and campus leaders. Academic Librarians do not have Performance Programs, so their issues need to be handled differently. Consult with chapter leaders.
3.   An open exchange of thoughts, ideas, and concerns surrounding reopening
•   Comment: I just learned this morning that HR has us listed as "professionals" when we are clearly not professionals but academics. That affects our "required work hours" too, same as what REDACTED is struggling with.
o   There are both professionals and academics on this webinar, so our discussion is meant to cover all generally. Often reopening guidance and other materials refer to “professionals” but do so in general way. Not necessarily meant to separate out academics. This webinar is for all professionals and academics in UUP who work in libraries.
•   HVAC concerns. What to do with them?
o   This is campus level issue. Bring them to chapter leaders and administrators.
o   Importance of HVAC systems in asymptomatic transmission is growing. There may be more guidance from state coming. State is putting more attention into public building HVAC systems.
•   Can anxiety/depression count toward evidence that staff can work from home because of disability?
o   Depends on the case. You will need medical documentation. Also, if severe enough, it could require use of sick leave. But you also risk seeming like you are unable to complete functions of your job, and therefore be deemed unfit for duty by employer.
•   ADA waivers for wearing masks - some people on campus may have these and therefore be exempted from requirements
o   It is false that there is widespread exemption from wearing masks. Those cards saying people don’t have to use them are fake
o   But small subset of exemptions for real health issues do exist.
o   Even if someone doesn’t have to wear a mask because of a waiver, they can be provided ALTERNATE accommodations, and do not need to be allowed into all facilities. May be told not to go some places and go elsewhere instead
•   Notification of positive cases: campuses have to work with local public health officials on every new case. There is no requirement that anyone other than the people with direct contact get contacted with name of person infected. Lots of privacy concerns.
•   What about library employees that are considered “essential”?
o   Being deemed an “essential employee” by your campus doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t telecommute, at least partially. Some jobs can be given flexibility
o   There is section of contract that covers this
o   There is broadening of term “essential” as we go into fall. Campuses need new types of staff to reopen. But some essential staff may be able to still telecommute
•   How does use of sick leave play into testing and quarantining?
UUP’s COVID-19 Q&A at the link below answers a series of questions about using leave accruals for COVID-related circumstances. It covers use of our contractual accruals and provisions under the new federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and federal emergency measures under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
https://uupinfo.org/resources/covid19/pdf/UUP_COVID19_QA.pdf


WEBSITES REFERENCED:
UUP Website:  uupinfo.org
UUP COVID-19 Q&A: https://uupinfo.org/resources/covid19/pdf/UUP_COVID19_QA.pdf
Telecommuting Pilot Program: https://uupinfo.org/resources/covid19/COVID19TelecommutingPilot.pdf
UUP Guidelines for Reopening:  https://uupinfo.org/resources/covid19/pdf/UUPReopeningPrinciples.pdf
UUP "Toolkit" for reopening: https://uuphost.org/myuup/MembersOnly/check.php
Petition: Call for SUNY to Convene a Virtual Public Hearing: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOBbSQg9cpSE2NSK9f70iHybUu1gYV7ojQbbJrXeEu3w8_7g/viewform
Chapter leaders: https://uupinfo.org/directory/chapters.php
Information about Librarians and library professional staff salaries and benefits: https://uupinfo.org/contract/pdf/20162022NYSUUPAgreement.pdf
CDC information:  https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0625-update-expands-covid-19.html
EEO information about ADA:  https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-covid-19-and-ada-rehabilitation-act-and-other-eeo-laws
COVID-19 related mental health: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/covid-19-resources.html
Campus Employee Assistance Programs (EAP):  https://goer.ny.gov/employee-assistance-program
New York Forward:  https://forward.ny.gov/
NY Forward Guidelines for Higher Education:  https://uupinfo.org/resources/covid19/
NY Forward guidance for professional office spaces: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/OfficesSummaryGuidelines.pdf
DOL Complaint Process information:  https://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/coronavirus-complaints.shtm
ADA fraudulent waiver notices alert:  https://www.ada.gov/covid-19_flyer_alert.html
Dept of Health testing information: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-testing

PRESENTER CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jamie Dangler: jdangler@uupmail.org
Jeri O’Bryan-Losee: jobryan@uupmail.org
Tom Tucker: ttucker@uupmail.org



15
June 17, 2020 Council Meeting @ VIRTUAL (Annual) / UUP Liaison Report
« on: June 16, 2020, 03:38:08 PM »
UUP Liaison Report
Dan Harms, Liaison to UUP

UUP Releases Guidelines to Re-Open SUNY Campuses
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/200601.php

Statement from Fred Kowal on the Resignation of Chancellor Johnson
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/200602.php

Statement from Fred Kowal on Supreme Court Ruling Protecting Gay and Transgender Workers
https://uupinfo.org/communications/releases/200615.php

Fighting Racial Injustice
https://uupinfo.org/resources/fightracism/

If our members lack PPEs that the college cannot or will not provide, please get in touch with us to see if any can be purchased.

UUP is encouraging any temporary employees who have not received an appointment letter for the coming year to apply for unemployment, so they can be ready for swift budgetary changes.

Advocacy, to both state and federal legislators, will be very important in this upcoming year. Go to http://uupinfo.org to learn about our legislative agenda and how you can help.

UUP is keeping an eye on a few situations regarding intellectual property from faculty, with administrations insisting that people sign over rights for online summer courses.

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