Prescription Drug Phone Scam Targeting Empire Plan Members

The Department of Civil Service is aware that third party companies, unaffiliated with The Empire Plan, are targeting enrollees with offers to obtain medications for no cost or reduced cost. Do not provide your personal information to these companies; they are not authorized by The Empire Plan. If you are able to provide details regarding the call such as the phone number and the medications they say they will cover, please report this information to the Plan by calling the toll-free number at 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) and selecting option 4 to reach the Prescription Drug Program. If you have any questions about your Empire Plan prescription drug coverage, please visit www.cs.ny.gov/empireplanrxprogram or call The Empire Plan toll-free number.

Thank you,

Jeri O’Bryan-Losee
she/her/hers
Statewide Secretary/Treasurer
United University Professions
Post Office Box 15143
Albany, New York 12212-5143
800 342 4206 / 518 640 6600
www.uupinfo.org

Dear Colleagues,

As you know, many of our contingent colleagues have been working along side us for years, demonstrating their commitment to the success of this institution and its mission. They have provided expertise and labor, and are a key part of the excellence that makes Binghamton a “Premier Public University”. 

However, the current fiscal challenges have left many of them vulnerable to departmental budget cuts. Some of our long-time colleagues, many who have dedicated years to this institution, are at risk of losing their appointments and/or health insurance in the middle of a global pandemic and economic crisis — a time when both are critical to their security and wellbeing and that of their families. This is unacceptable.

In addition, the faculty and professional staff who remain may be expected to cover the courses or other professional obligations that are now unassigned, without compensation or an equivalent reduction in other professional obligations.  This would also be unacceptable. 

There are alternatives to consider before eliminating positions, before threatening the health and wellbeing of our colleagues, and before diminishing the quality of the education our students will receive. Together with UUP chapters across the SUNY system, the Binghamton chapter urges our administration to take a strong stance in support of our contingent colleagues. 
I also encourage each of you to click on the link below, read the petition, and to add your name to show you stand in solidarity with our contingent colleagues!
PETITION IN SUPPORT OF CONTINGENT EMPLOYEES

In solidarity!

Please see UUP’s new Special Bulletin on faculty courses and intellectual property concerns at the link below – and share it with colleagues.

https://uupinfo.org/reports/reportpdf/IntellectualPropertyBulletin.pdf

In the context of online course expansion some faculty are being presented with course development agreements that give their campus intellectual property ownership of their courses/course materials.  Faculty lose their intellectual property rights only if they sign a written waiver surrendering ownership of their work. Individuals should know the full implications of what they are asked to sign and whether there are possibilities for alternatives that do not relinquish their ownership rights.

Sincerely,

Jamie Dangler, PhD
Vice President for Academics
United University Professions
1-800-342-4206
jdangler@uupmail.org

Message from Fred Kowal

Colleagues, 

Nothing is more important than carrying the voices of our membership forward in this difficult time. Our advocacy efforts are multiple and on-going, and I extend a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated members who have sent letters, made phone calls, and joined our social media campaign to protect SUNY and the work UUP does.

We will always be stronger when we are engaging one another and working from the grassroots. In this vein, we are scheduling a series of tele-town halls, which will include a brief presentation on the overall economic perspective of where we are as a state and as a nation, as well as an overview on New York State and national public higher education funding trends. The presentation will then be opened up to our members for a solution-driven discussion. If there is a “best” way to face these unprecedented times, I am certain that together UUP members can and will develop that strategic plan.

The tele-town halls will take place on the following days: 

• May 7, 2020 at 11:00 AM 
• May 13, 2020 at 3:00 PM 
• May 19, 2020 at 6:30 PM
• May 21, 2020 at 11:00 AM

In order to hear from as many members as possible, we are asking participants to choose just one date to join in on the conversation. To participate, please register here: https://uuphost.org/myuup/Registration/TOWNHALL/Register.php

Please follow the registration link and sign-up to attend one of these events. Information on how to log-in to the event will be sent the week of the tele-town hall. Please share information about the tele-town halls as widely as possible. 

Your entire statewide team is eager to hear from you!

In solidarity,

Fred

Colleagues,

I am writing to you with a request to add your voice to the thousands of other UUP members advocating to keep our union strong and to protect SUNY.  The recently enacted budget has – for now – spared SUNY from budget cuts despite the downturn in the economy. But we must work to guard against likely future cuts and press our representatives in Washington for federal relief in what is expected to be a difficult year ahead.

Please click here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/uupcovid19letter/ to send a letter to your member of the House of Representatives and our United States Senators. Thanks to Senator Schumer, New York received significant resources for state-operated campuses and our hospitals. In addition to the $180 million direct aid to campuses, we will seek funding from other pools of money from the recent stimulus bill. Today, with your voice, we are advocating for additional resources in the next round of stimulus that will preserve our state funding and strengthen the position of SUNY and the work we do. We have been in constant contact with our national affiliate AFT since this crisis has unfolded and they are incorporating our input into their national agenda.

I thank you for your dedication. Our advocacy and work does not stop in these times of crisis, the times demand we do even more.

In solidarity,
Fred