April 28, 2026

UUP delegates unanimously reelected President Fred Kowal to a fourth term, setting him on track to become the longest-serving leader of the nation’s largest higher education union.

Kowal ran unopposed and was elected by acclimation, with UUP Secretary-Treasurer Jeri O’Bryan Losee casting one symbolic vote. Kowal was first elected in 2013. Only William Scheuerman, UUP president from 1993 to 2007, has served longer. The election of Kowal and other statewide leaders took place April 25, during the 2026 Spring Delegate Assembly in Albany.

Delegates also elected two statewide officers—O’Bryan-Losee and Membership Development Office Patrick Romain—by acclimation as unopposed candidates.

Elected as at-large academic Executive Board members were Bret Benjamin (Albany), who is also the UUP chief negotiator in the ongoing contract talks with the state; Samuel Marquez (Downstate); Bekkie Bryan (Cortland); and Matthew Smith (ESF). Elected as at-large professional Executive Board members were Redetha Abrahams-Nichols (Downstate); Mindy Heath (Upstate Medical University) and Brendan McGovern (Binghamton). Pamela Malone (Empire State) was elected as a specialized executive board member.

Union strength, with a warning

Kowal declined to deliver remarks supporting his nomination, but his address during the plenary on Friday, April 24, set out his goals and projections for the union’s near future.

The state of the union is, in Kowal’s words, “damned strong,” but he also warned delegates of challenges to come. He cited the exorbitant costs of the federal regime’s illegal war against Iran—which could very likely mean funding cuts for domestic programs—and the deadly actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

One UUP member, Alcibiades “Alex” Lazaro Ramirez González, is fighting deportation after his illegal arrest and detention by ICE last year, and the chilling effect of the federal crackdown on immigration is felt throughout SUNY, Kowal noted.

“Make no mistake about it: We are living in dangerous and disturbing times,” he said. “We will continue to take steps and to support members who are engaged in resistance.”

Kowal presented State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky with the Friend of UUP Award, and longtime Buffalo State chapter and statewide leader Fred Floss with the Judith Wishnia Award. Floss served as UUP acting president from November 2007 to February 2008. The Wishnia award, named for longtime UUP activist and member Judy Wishnia, award recognizes UUP members who have rendered exceptional union service and advocated tirelessly for UUP, labor, equity and humanity.

Also at the DA, delegates overwhelmingly approved the UUP budget, and they heard an update on the fast-paced negotiations for a new contract with the state. The union is on track to achieve the first on-time agreement in memory, Benjamin told the gathering, but he urged members to continue speaking up for a fair, on-time agreement. Go HERE to learn about seven steps that chapters and individual members can take to achieve a strong contract.

Resolutions

Delegates approved resolutions defending the integrity of higher education against authoritarian assaults; opposing the incursion of artificial intelligence companies into higher education; opposing U.S. militarization nationally and globally; endorsing the Higher Education Labor United Amherst Compact on unified goals in contract negotiations and condemning the labor movement’s involvement with OpenAI.

Delegates also approved several resolutions introduced on the floor, including one in support of New Paltz member Anthony Dandridge following his nonrenewal.

Additional resolutions from the floor memorialized Richard Tyler, a beloved Oneonta Chapter activist, treasurer and delegate; Eloise Briere, a longtime Albany Chapter member and former chapter assistant vice president for academics; William Herbert, executive director of the National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions at Hunter College; and Dennis Selzner, a former NYSUT labor relations specialist known for his years of service to UUP members.