BRIDGES

STONY BROOK/HSC CHAPTER
DIGITAL NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2020
Bridges is Back!
Bridges, the Stony Brook/HSC chapter newsletter, has been on a long hiatus. In recent months, the Chapter Communications Committee has been working to come up with new and exciting ways to get union news out to the chapter members. With assistance from UUP Organizer Richard Burton and a few months of collaboration by the Communications Committee members, Bridges is back and has undergone a complete makeover! The newsletter is now in a digital layout and will be sent to the Chapter membership via email.
Salary Increases Delayed
UUP President Fred Kowal notified members on Sept. 28 that their 2% across-the board salary increases for 2020 will be delayed for at least another 90 days.
These negotiated raises were due to members July 1 or Sept. 1, depending on obligation; now, the earliest that they could be paid would be Jan. 1, 2021.
“This is disappointing and frustrating, especially for those among us who are earning so little: adjuncts and part-time professionals,” said Kowal in an Oct. 2 email to members.
Kowal said UUP has started the process of moving class-action grievances it filed earlier in the year to arbitration. “Though this does not mean immediate resolution of the crisis, it is a step that can serve to speed up the process,” he said in the email.
The class-action grievances were filed over the delay of the July 1 payment, announced by the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER). At that time, GOER said the increases would be delayed by an initial 90 days.
Also delayed are increases toward a minimum salary for adjuncts. UUP has filed an Improper Practice with the NYS Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) on behalf of residents working in facilities associated with SUNY’s academic medical centers.
Kowal said that UUP-represented employees would eventually receive the money they are owed, retroactive to July 1 or Sept. 1—depending on when they were supposed to receive their raises. Unit members who have retired, quit, were fired or have been non-renewed will receive the retroactive salary increases for the period of time they were in state service after the date the salary increase was set to be paid.
UUP Member Benefits & Discounts
AUTOMOTIVE NEEDS
Stony Brook Automotive is now providing a discount to all Stony Brook/HSC UUP members. Speak to Joe, the manager about the 15% discount off of labor. The deal also includes free drop off and pick up service from the shop to the hospital.
Stony Brook Automotive is open 6 days a week and offers great service. Google them to read about the services they offer and read customer reviews. 
UUP Professional Development Resources
Wishing All UUP Members a Happy Thanksgiving
In Acknowledgement of the Great Diversity of the Stony Brook/HSC Chapter. Wishing All UUP Members A Peaceful Season of Good Health, Happiness and A Prosperous New Year!
Chapter Officers
President:
Carolyn Kube

Vice President for Academics:
Stephen Walker

Vice President for Professionals:
Bruce Kube

Secretary:
Tina Manning

Treasurer:
Christopher King

Membership Development Officer:
Christopher Lazauskas

Officer for Contingents:
Xristos Gaglias

Officer for Retirees:
Irene Stern

Newsletter Editor:
Pam White

Chapter Update Editor:
Ushinde Payne

Copy Editor:
Sarah Battaglia

Chapter Assistant:
Valerie Goldman
President's Message:

A Time for Gratitude
November is the month we celebrate two important holidays: Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. Both of these holidays focus on gratitude and thankfulness.  
             On Veterans Day we acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our veterans for their service in our military. We are grateful for the bravery and dedication they have shown in order to preserve our democracy. We continue to have the privilege of exercising our many freedoms living here in the United States because of their service. I want to wish all of our UUP members who are veterans a heartfelt thank you for all you have done serving in the armed forces to keep our country safe. We all owe you a debt of gratitude; you are true heroes and patriots!
             On Thanksgiving, celebrating with family and friends includes a bounty of food, reflection, and thankfulness for health and happiness throughout the past year. This Thanksgiving may be very different for those of us who need to decide whether to have elderly, extended family, or friends at the table due to the pandemic. We may choose to hold Zoom Thanksgiving dinners while many of our frontline workers will be working to deliver care to our patients on the holiday. We cannot forget that for many families this holiday will be bittersweet. For those with a family member who has succumbed to the virus there will be an empty chair at the table. There are also some families who have lost someone during the racial injustice we witnessed throughout this year. However your holiday may look this year, we should all be grateful that we have served our patients and students well. We have delivered the highest quality of care during the first wave of the COVID pandemic and beyond. We are thankful for essential workers who have made great sacrifices. While delivering care to patients afflicted by this new virus, they have been redeployed to new assignments, worked long hours, and have literally been placed in harm’s way.
             Faculty had to transition their coursework to online modalities almost overnight and continue to teach in multiple modalities to accommodate both in-person and online instruction. Professional staff had to adjust to working remotely while still remaining engaged with students who rely on their services. To both groups, I say thank you for your professionalism and dedication to our university and hospital. I am humbled to represent and advocate for you as your chapter president.
             This year has been unprecedented with the COVID pandemic that has turned our sense of normalcy upside down. Our chapter, SBHSC, has united with PEF, CSEA and 1199 to fight for hazard pay for our essential workers. We have filed petitions, staged a rally in July, conducted silent protests in the lobby of the hospital, sent letters to all the CEOs, the Chancellor of SUNY, the SUNY Board of Trustees and the NYS Governor! Unfortunately, we have not received any assurances nor commitment from any level of administration, government or agency leadership that they will commit to awarding hazard pay to our essential workers. Although this has been disappointing, the unions will continue to fight for hazard pay for all of our essential workers! We will continue to plan what next steps can be taken to attain our goal.
             Since the beginning of the pandemic, several agreements between UUP, CSEA, PEF and SUNY have been established to deal with the unique changes in the workplace caused by the pandemic, such as the tenure clock stop, (being unique to UUP), the telecommuting policy and the COVID testing policy. All of these policies will continue until the end of the year and are expected to extend into the spring semester. I have received several questions regarding the Telecommuting Policy in regards to how it has been applied. The policy focuses on nonessential campus employees but with the agreed intent to interpret this policy as broadly as possible between SUNY and UUP. That intention has allowed essential employees to take advantage of the telecommuting policy as well. The ability to telecommute is not a given, but can only be done with the approval of your supervisor. Many of our professionals have been successfully telecommuting since March and should be able to do so until January 1, 2021. According to the policy, employees must develop a plan that they must submit to their supervisor for approval. If you are having any difficulty with continuation of telecommuting please contact the UUP office (631) 444-1505 for assistance. 
             Regarding the COVID Testing Policy, I have received many questions concerning the necessity, frequency and privacy of the testing. I will try my best to address all of these concerns. This is a mandatory policy that UUP, PEF and CSEA have agreed to with the SUNY Chancellor. You must make every effort to be tested when you are asked to report. There are no exclusions; if you have been tested for COVID for any other reason you still need to participate in the pooled testing.
             The pooled testing is currently being performed by Upstate Medical Center surveillance testing laboratory. All personal health information (PHI) will be subjected to all HIPPA compliance laws. The laboratory will not keep a negative sample any longer than 24 hours. All positive samples will be retained at the laboratory in compliance with the DOH regulations.
             The testing is non-invasive and quick, and you will be selected in alphabetical groups. You will receive an email directing you to be tested one week prior to your testing week. If you are going to be on vacation and work at the hospital please notify Employee Health and Wellness at (631) 444-7767. If you are a campus employee contact the Health Information Line (HIL) at (631) 632-5000.
             Human Resources has made a great effort to make this as convenient as possible for employees to have access to testing. Additional accommodations are being made for those employees who work off site. The registration is via a link that does not require you to fill in your social security number (zeroes can be put in place), nor do you need to enter any insurance information. The information required on the link/app is only used to identify and contact you if you should be in a positive pool. 
             UUP is negotiating with the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations to have the vacation cap of 40 days lifted so that employees do not lose days in excess of 40 days. We are hopeful they will lift the cap for 2020. Since it is not a guarantee, I would like to suggest that members take advantage of two benefits that utilize vacation days. First, the Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) allows you to trade in 4 to 6 days depending upon your salary level for a $600 or $1,500 reduction of your NYSHIP premiums for the 2021 calendar year. If you are an eligible employee HR will have emailed you the application. The deadline is November 30, 2020. Secondly, there are always members on medical leaves in need of donated vacation days. If you have days that you would like to donate, please email me at [email protected] for information.  
             As this unusual election transition unfolds, I ask that we all take care and be mindful that we remember to treat each other with compassion and respect. As the year comes to an end, my hope is that all of my members will be able to pause and enjoy the holiday season – that we have learned much during the first wave and remain hopeful that the second wave is not as difficult as the first. I wish you all the best this holiday season and I wish for a happy and healthy 2021!
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Sew Wonderful! By Sarah Battaglia
Knitting, Sewing, Quilting, Crocheting…They Are So Much More Than Hobbies
Melisa Shampine, UUP Member &
C0-Founder of Stony Brook Stitchers
The Stony Brook Stitchers is a group of volunteers who create items for those in need at Stony Brook Hospital, Stony Brook Cancer Center and the Long Island State Veterans Home. Some of the items made and donated to patients include hats for adults and infants, afghans, and prayer shawls along with many other handmade creations.
 
The group is made up of staff, faculty and students from both the hospital and the university and was started over 10 years ago by co-founders, Melissa Shampine, a Staff Assistant in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Stony Brook Hospital, and Jan Tassie, Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services, at Stony Brook University. Shampine now serves as East Campus Director of the Stony Brook Stitchers while Tassie assists as Co-Director.
 
UUP member Maryann Russo, who is a part of the group, shared the intent of the group's founder. Says Russo, "I have known Melissa Shampine for over 8 years. She started the Stony Brook Stitchers when she realized the comfort patients would feel when they received a donated blanket or knitted hat."  Russo added, “Melissa spends countless hours contacting and recruiting volunteers as well as arranging the delivery of all of the donated items.”
 
With the rise of the COVID pandemic, masks have become a high priority item for the Stitchers. Both Stony Brook Stitchers and the Long Island Quilts for Kids organizations have coordinated their efforts in making masks and Stony Brook’s Children’s Hospital has been the recipient of thousands of masks and other items donated by the two organizations.
Meet the Stitchers
Ann DeChiaro-Pfisterer: 

“I have been sewing for what seems to be my lifetime. During the initial stages of COVID 19, the sewing machine and those who could quilt and sew with it became an army of stitchers creating the most important life-saving tool - a simple cloth mask. When we were required to wear masks and no masks were available, I remember finding an instructional YouTube video about a hospital that met the mask shortage by enlisting sewers to stitch masks at home and then donate them to the hospital. I watch this video scores of times, passed the information on to my sewing friends and Stony Brook Stitchers. Eventually, the local community and SBU bought into the idea of home-sewn masks. So we stitchers and quilters who had an abundance of fabric stashes became "essential workers" and mask makers. I have never sewn such an important item for the health and safety of anyone.  Knowing that the recipient may have their life on the line if I didn't sew a safe mask, drove me to be a perfect mask maker. 

I am very lucky to work with several stitching friends, who in normal times, enjoy sewing together. Now, mask-making became a collaborative effort with my co-workers Regina Biasetti, Kathy Finnegan, Pat Gonzalez, and Maryjo Kaleda! Yes, we had the fabric, but the elastic was like 14K gold - unable to be found, but shared if we had it. We talked about making the "best mask" and exchanged ideas about doing so. Then we had to become creative with ties, strings, shoelaces, -- just about anything to hold a mask on. Our skills became so vital, that I felt like a dealer in the neighborhood! My co-workers in the Physical Therapy program in the SHTM would do drive-bys to pick up masks that I sewed for them.  

During April and May, I believe I sewed about 400-500 masks for delivery to Stony Brook Stitchers, Quilts for Kids, and my own family and friends. The Quilts for Kids organization totaled over 20,000 masks sewn. I am so glad to have contributed to the greater good during his time of need.  I feel that I stitched a lot of love and prayers into every mask I sewed. To this day, I still have faith that any mask that I sew is my own personal best as it is protecting me and anyone who I give it to. It is the best sewing that I could ever do.
Visit Stony Brook Stitchers HERE!

Visit Long Island Quilts for Kids HERE!
Stony Brook Stichers, Jan Tassie, left, and Melissa Shampine, right, pictured with Carol Gomes, Chief Executive Officer/Chief Operating Officer in front Stony Brook Medicine
Assortment of masks made by the Stony Brook Stitchers
Regina Biasetti and Ann DiChiaro-Psisterer
Ann DeChiaro-Pfisterer sharing smiles with fellow Stony Brook Stitcher Regina Biasetti
Welcome, New Members!
by Christopher Lazauskas
Hello! As membership development officer for UUP’s Stony Brook HSC chapter, one of the most important aspects of our chapter and union strength is the fight for proper working conditions and rights for our members.
I look forward to hearing from all of our newest union members as you begin and grow in your career here at Stony Brook HSC. Your input and concerns are of utmost importance to me and the rest of the UUP Chapter leadership.
Please give a warm welcome to the following new members of the Stony Brook HSC chapter!
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Contingent Employees: 
How We Fight Back Against The Trends

By Richard Burton, UUP Organizer

In April of this year, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), one of the national labor unions with which UUP is affiliated, released a shocking report. The report is entitled “An Army of Temps” - summarizing the results of a comprehensive survey conducted by AFT on the lives and working conditions of contingent employees. What was shocking about the report?

  • 1/3 of the 3,076 survey respondents reported an annual income of less than $25,000 – placing them below the federal poverty guideline for a family of four.
  • For 3 out of 4 contingent faculty, job security is a big concern; their employment is only guaranteed from term-to-term.
  • Nearly 25% of survey respondents reported that they were living on public assistance.
  • 40% having trouble covering basic household expenses.

You Can Read the full report HERE:

These shocking statistics were unfortunately consistent with similar results reported by the UUP statewide Contingent Employment Committee at the October, 2019 Delegate Assembly. These latter findings included:
  • 1 in 4 Contingent Professionals in UUP bargaining units earn less than $9,000 annually.
  • 1 in 3 Adjuncts earn less than $225 per week. 
  • Approximately 33% of Academics in SUNY institutions work part-time.

To Learn more, click HERE.
What IS a “Contingent Employee”?

While SUNY job categories don’t include that of “Contingent”, it is a category used frequently within UUP and defined precisely: According to the UUP Constitution, while Contingent Professionals and Contingent Academics differ in their work titles and job descriptions, a fundamental commonality they share is that neither group of workers is in a position which prescribes eligibility for continuing or permanent appointment. It is this “Contingent” job status that provides the basis for the UUP term. 

The “Army of Temps” report, of course, was released only about a month after the COVID 19 pandemic had resulted in Governor Cuomo signing the NYS on PAUSE Executive Order on March 20. And the data providing the basis for the report were gathered in the later spring of 2019. Similarly, since it was reported in the fall of 2019, the data informing the UUP Contingent Employment Committee’s information was also prior to the onset of the pandemic. Since conditions for many contingent employees have declined since the PAUSE order, one can only surmise that these statistics are likely worse now. Further, it should be pointed out, as long as SUNY administrators and state law-makers can increasingly rely on this low-paid, precarious work force, this places downward pressure on the pay and working conditions of all UUP workers.          

Fortunately, we have a union and the collective power and creative intelligence of thousands of UUP members to help fight back against these trends. And it will take all that and more now as we confront not only a re-spiking COVID 19, but a budget climate in Albany currently veering toward cuts and austerity. UUP is joining with many allied organizations around the state calling for a different path: By taxing billionaires and other high-income earners, our state can raise the money to provide sufficient funding for important priorities such as SUNY funding – and better pay and conditions for contingent employees.    
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