May 8, 2026

UUP’s contract negotiations team is making strong progress toward a new contract and hopes to have a deal in place by early June, President Fred Kowal said during a virtual May 5 update to membership.

Nearly 1,000 members logged into the noontime Zoom seminar to get an update on UUP’s negotiations for a new contract with the state. The current agreement extends to July 1.

Lead negotiator Bret Benjamin said that UUP and the state have been actively bargaining about compensation, health insurance, job security, and AI protections, UUP’s top priorities.

There has also been progress made on other issues, including disciplinary due process and career advancement opportunities for professionals.

“My goal is to get the best possible contract,” Kowal said. “Yes, ideally before the Legislature leaves town, but if it’s not the best we can get I will not sign. It has to be good. I’m optimistic.”

Pay

While the state’s initial compensation proposals are below what UUP hopes to achieve, they are on par or better than the starting point from the previous round. UUP will be pushing to maximize across-the-board increases in the coming weeks.

Benjamin also said the Negotiations Team keeps UUP’s diverse membership in mind when it comes to pay and hopes to expand on hospital-specific compensation, retention awards, raises for contingent faculty and location pay for members whose cost of living is higher than elsewhere in the state, including Ulster County.

“We’re trying to address the specific needs of our membership,” he said.

Health benefits

Benjamin said the team is working to keep costs in check and maintain the choices members need to get the health care they need. The state has proposed targeted concessions in health benefits. UUP is fighting to maintain benefits and minimize cost increases for members.

Job security

While the state is opposed to expanding job security, the issue is a priority for UUP, said Benjamin. Proposals include reducing the timeline to permanency for professionals to less than seven years, creating longer contracts for contingent academics and expanding pathways to permanency for contingent faculty.

AI

The team is working to build on AI protections outlined in the state’s Legislative Oversight of Automated Decision-Making in Government (LOADinG Act). The law, amended in 2025 due to efforts by UUP, provides perhaps the strongest labor protections of any state for public employees. The team is also proposing expanded telecommuting agreements and remote work opportunities.

Disciplinary procedures

The team is bringing forward feedback from members on the long delays for employees who are suspended without pay while a disciplinary proceeding takes place. This has been a priority issue for UUP for years and Benjamin said the team is making progress on improving the process.

What you can do to help

Benjamin asked members on the call to spread the word about contract negotiations to colleagues and put posters on their office doors and in their windows.

He also asked everyone to make a video (between 15 and 30 seconds) stating their biggest priority for the contract.

Positive, focused message about what UUP wants to achieve is encouraged. That will help us achieve a great on-time contract. Please refrain from negative commentary about particular political figures.

Click HERE and HERE for examples of the type of video Benjamin is requesting. Click HERE for helpful hints to make videos.

In the videos, please state your name, say you’re a proud member of UUP and, in one sentence, say what you want, such as: “I want wages that keep up with the cost of living.”

Please send videos to contract@uupmail.org and asheldon@uupmail.org.