New York Governor Spitzer Announces Contract Agreement With United University Professions

December 20, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced that New York State and the United University Professions (UUP) have reached a four-year agreement covering approximately 34,000 academic and professional faculty on 29 State University of New York (SUNY) campuses. The agreement must be approved by the union membership.

"This agreement is consistent with my commitment to see the State University provide the finest public higher education in the country, as well as our responsibility to govern economically and efficiently," said Governor Spitzer.

The previous collective bargaining agreement with UUP expired on July 1, 2007. The four-year package covers the period beginning July 2, 2007 through July 1, 2011.

Similar to the agreement reached with members of the Civil Service Employees Association and District Council 37, the agreement calls for a 3 percent salary increase retroactive to July or September 2007 (month is dependent on status as year round or 10-month employee), payable upon ratification of the agreement by union members. Subsequent salary increases will be provided yearly, as follows:

* A 3 percent salary increase in July or September 2008;
* A 3 percent salary increase in July or September 2009; and,
* A 4 percent salary increase in July or September 2010.

The agreement also calls for:

* Location pay will increase for employees in Orange, Putnam, and Dutchess counties (from $651 to $1,000 as of July 2008, and $1,513 as of January 2009). Employees in Nassau, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, and New York City will also see an increase in their location pay (from $1,302 to $1,850 as of July 2008, and $3,026 as of January 2009) to help offset the higher cost of living in those areas.
* A one-time advance of $500 to employees who reach continuing or permanent appointment and one-time lump sum payment of $500 to part-time employees who complete eight consecutive years of service to recognize excellence at the University.
* Statewide availability of a Pre-Tax Transportation Program that reduces employee commuting costs and promotes a cleaner environment.
* Continued support for the Employee Benefit Fund, Inconvenience Pay, and Labor Management Committees.
* To assist in making the overall agreement more affordable, modest increases in co-pays for health care and administrative improvements to the prescription drug formulary will be implemented.

Source: New York Governor

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