UUP, state reach contract agreement

fter a year of formal negotiations, United University Professions and New York state have reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract.

“It is a fair and equitable agreement with reasonable salary increases, minimum salary gains for part-time contingent faculty, and other enhancements important to our members,” said UUP President Fred Kowal.

UUP represents more than 30,000 faculty and professional staff of the State University of New York across 29 campuses. If ratified, the contract would take effect immediately and run through July 1, 2026. It would be retroactive to July 1, 2022, which is when the union’s current contract expired.

“In reaching an agreement with the state, UUP again demonstrated the value of strong unions in the workplace. I congratulate UUP, its leadership team and the faculty and professionals who are the backbone of our SUNY system on this step forward,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person.

UUP’s contract negotiations began three years ago with the selection of UAlbany chapter member Bret Benjamin as chief negotiator and the 12-member negotiations team. Formal negotiations with the state started May 27, 2022.

As NYSUT United went to press, the agreement was set to be presented to the union’s full negotiations committee for approval. It is scheduled for a full ratification vote this summer.