UUP Binghamton

The link to Haiti Relief is now live on UUP's Web site:
http://uupinfo.org/additions/relief.html and includes an opportunity to easily make a donation via PayPal.

Also, the information below from AFT illustrates other ways you can help.

The American Federation of Teachers expresses our heartfelt
sympathy for the victims of Haiti's Jan. 12 earthquake. The
country now faces the enormous task of reconstructing
communities that have been left without food, shelter, clean
water, schools, healthcare, power and transportation. The AFT
pledges to work with our partners to assist Haiti on its road to
recovery, and we ask for your support. Read more at
http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/S7ztn111njAf/.

As the extent of the devastation in Haiti continues to unfold,

The AFT's public web site has been totally redesigned with improved navigation and lots of new features that not only will make it easier to find what you're looking for but also to share your voice and opinions on important issues in a variety of ways.
http://www.aft.org/yourwork/highered/
http://www.aft.org/

UUP has been made aware of an incident of potential fraud that may be aimed at ADJUNCTS. But others may be targeted, too.

One of our members was contacted by a person representing herself as "being with UUP," who wanted to meet with the member and present him with "some information and a certificate." Our member was able to determine that this person was a representative of a company called, "National Income Insurance Company." And, he also called the UUP Administrative Office to confirm that nobody by the name given him worked at or for UUP.

Please be assured that at UUP we guard members' identity, not only by policy but as required by law. UUP does not share membership lists with third party companies of any kind.

According to Albany sources, Gov. Paterson is slated to sign the Tier V Bill recently passed by the Legislature. No doubt, this will raise questions and concerns, as well as speculation about retirement incentives.

Here are some details that will amplify the message I sent out last week.

First and foremost, the new retirement tier DOES NOT and WILL NOT affect current employees!

For new employees who elect ERS (those employed after Jan. 1, 2010), there will be a 10-year vesting period (up from the current 5-years). Retirement without penalty will be at age 62 and after 30 years of service. Employees in this plan will pay 3% out-of-pocket throughout their career (vs. for only the first 10 years currently).

New York State provides to all its employees a number of very important benefits. One of them, offered through Work Life Services http://www.worklife.state.ny.us, is the Flex Spending Account (FSA). This program has two components. The first is the Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) for child care, elder care, or disable dependent care expenses necessary to enable you to work. The second is the Health Care Spending Account, (HCSAccount) for health care expenses that are not reimbursed by health insurance or other benefit plans.

Both plans are pre-tax deductions available to be used throughout the year. Enrollment is easy through their website, http://www.flexspend.state.ny.us or by calling 1 800 358-7202. The deadline for enrollment is Monday, November 16, 2009.

Please see the following information regarding UUP's request to TIAA/CREF to use our moneys in a more socially responsive way.

Colleagues....

A couple of weeks ago, I informed you of a resolution I presented at the AFT's Executive Council calling on TIAA-CREF to become more socially responsible in their investment policies. You can review the resolution here:
http://www.aftface.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=601&Ite...

TIAA-CREF has responded to AFT president Randi Weingarten. You can view their response here: http://uupinfo.org/TIAA-CREF.pdf Fair Warning: It's a lengthy response.

Feel free to share this with others, this document is also available on the UUP Web site http://uupinfo.org as the second link down on the right-hand column.

In Union...

Nancy Zimpher, SUNY’s relatively new chancellor, has created a four phase strategic planning process, http://www.suny.edu/strategicplan/. The first, the “Chancellor’s 64-Campus Tour,” has been completed. The second, “Statewide Conversations,” has begun and runs through February 15, 2010. Phases III and IV, “Launch the Strategic Plan” and “Implementation and Accountability,” will follow with the last phase running until 2020.

Dear Colleagues,

It isn’t often that we ask you to thank your elected officials for their positions on legislation but now is the time to send a message of appreciation to both NYS Senator Tom Libous and NYS Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo. Their contact information is noted below.

The Office of the University Ombudsman

The University Ombudsman serves as Binghamton University's designated neutral and advocate for fairness. The University Ombudsman's primary responsibility is to provide independent, confidential and informal assistance to all of the campus community, including members –faculty, students, staff, and employees of the Research Foundation.

At its most basic level, the University Ombudsman Office is a safe place to voice your concerns, evaluate your situation, organize your thoughts, and explore the full range of options available to you. If you believe you have been treated unfairly or if you believe there is a problem at the University that deserves review, you can visit the Ombuds Office to explore possible avenues for resolution.

UUP is pleased to announce a new program, NYS Balance, offered by New York’s Governor Office of Employee Relations. This program replaces a similar program designed to assist all state employees deal with external stresses in their lives.

Items such as budgeting, finding child care or elder care, retirement planning, parenting strategies, and other concerns are all addressed, free of charge, via this resource and referral program. Their website, http://www.nysbalance.ny.gov, provides more details. Their programs are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Additional information is provided in the attached PDF. Please contact their offices if you have specific questions.