For Immediate Release
June 2, 2022
United University Professions, the nation’s largest higher education union, today announced the launch of its first-ever podcast, “The Voice.” Hosted by UUP President Dr. Frederick E. Kowal, Ph.D, the show will feature interviews with labor leaders and allies, including community activists and state lawmakers, about the most crucial issues facing New Yorkers.
The twice-monthly podcast debuted May 25, featuring retired UUP President Nuala Drescher. Kowal and Drescher talk about her time in office as the union’s first woman president, her thoughts on former Gov. Mario Cuomo and her views on the future of unionism.
“We are thrilled to bring ‘The Voice’ to our members and the wider labor community, and to provide a platform to explore the stories of our movement’s history and those who led us to where we are today, while also shining a spotlight on the policies and legislation that will protect working New Yorkers for decades to come,” said UUP President Fred Kowal. “New York’s labor movement continues to lead the nation in defending the rights of our communities and anticipating the challenges they have yet to face, and I look forward to exploring our past, and future, with our esteemed guests.”
“The Voice” will feature interviews with newsmakers from across New York and will discuss social justice topics such as the climate crisis and the environment, racial injustice, student debt, higher education, health care and voting rights.
The next episode, slated for mid-June, will center on the experiences of people in Buffalo’s Black community, the structural racism they continue to face every day, and how the labor movement can promote positive change and support a more equitable future for all New Yorkers. UUP represents thousands of members who work at the University at Buffalo and SUNY Buffalo State College, and who live in Buffalo and its surrounding communities.
“This is another avenue UUP will use to connect with its members and the community,” Kowal said. “We look forward to providing thorough and informed conversation about the pressing and sometimes controversial challenges we face as a community and a movement.”
The podcast is available on most major podcast directories, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. You can find more information about where to hear The Voice podcast on UUP’s website, at https://uupinfo.org/communications/publications/#VPC.
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