Labor Management Meeting 6/30
Attendees:
Larry Zacarese, Lynn Johnson, Jennifer Carter, Andrew Solar-Greco, Louise Melious, Tracy Haas, Stacey Finkelstein, Lisa Willis, Shoshana Hershkowitz, Juliette Lowery, Thalia Anthony
I. Return to Campus
Management Update:
Note that this and pertinent information is found in the Coming Back Safe & Strong Updates, including the June 23, 2021 update.
- An update from the Administration was presented by the new Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management and Chief Security Office, Larry Zacarese.
- Employees are encouraged to report in SOLAR whether they are vaccinated. If employees choose not to report, they are treated as unvaccinated.
- Vaccinated employees need not wear masks, need not social distance, only test once a month, whereas unvaccinated employees do need to wear masks, must social distance and must continue to test weekly. Those working in patient care areas must follow Health Care facilities’ regulations on face coverings, testing, and providing vaccination information.
- The telecommuting agreement between the State and the unions ends on 7/2. As we continue our final phased return, employees should be fully returned by August 1, 2021.
- There are limited extensions of telecommuting to September 7th on a case-by-case basis due to child care, elder care and COVID-related issues. For medical issues, employees should contact the Office of Equity and Access (“OEA”).
Discussion:
UUP expressed members’ concerns about the Delta variant, and returning to campus when there are going to be some unvaccinated people. The World Health Organization (WHO) is suggesting masks should be worn indoors by all, including vaccinated folks. UUP expressed concerns regarding enforcement of policies.
UUP: Whatever policy we have needs to empower contingent faculty. When relying on individuals to enforce, it is less empowering for those who don’t have permanent appointment or tenure.
UUP: In terms of the Fall semester, children under 12 are not eligible for the vaccine. There is always the possibility that K-12 will have to move online again at a moment’s notice. We need a flexible process that outlines immediate outcomes, and a rapid response.
Administration Response:
SBU is following policies of CDC, Department of Health, and SUNY, and described how policies will be enforced. Any employee, vaccinated or unvaccinated, may choose to wear a face mask.
Employees should speak with their supervisors regarding any concerns. Employees should call the Health Information Line for any concerns regarding exposure, quarantine, and health-related questions.
Health & Safety and Air Quality:
UUP expressed concern about ventilation in small spaces such as classrooms, older buildings, and possible role with EH&S.
Management states that the campus is following all required policies regarding buildings. See the CBSS website for Facilities information as the guidance evolves. Employees with concerns should speak with their supervisors to contact building managers with building related questions.
II. Professionals Issues:
UUP raised concerns about possible delays/denials of permanent appointments and non-renewals. H.R. will review.
UUP raised questions about State – UUP MOU and asked for professionals to be granted flexibility due to pandemic conditions Professionals must opt in for extension of time as per the 2020 MOU.
UUP requested that the campus develop forms referenced in Appendix A-28 for salary increase or promotion. Management to look into the development of forms.
III. Academics Issues:
UUP raised questions regarding the tenure evaluation process for Academics who opt out of the 1-year COVID-19 extension under the MOU.
Management asked for more information and will investigate.
Contingents: UUP expressed appreciation that the campus maintained contingents’ appointments during the pandemic. UUP requested to see the number of contingents being converted from temporary to term appointments. UUP requested a labor-management meeting specific to contingents. Management in agreement and agreed to gather the data on contingent appointments.
IV. Hiring Restrictions:
a. UUP requested information regarding hiring restrictions, which was subsequently provided by Management.
a. Management states that hiring restrictions are in line with all of the SUNY campuses and SUNY guidelines and the campus awaits further updates from SUNY. At the campus level, management is working on a strategy for faculty hiring procedures once the hiring restrictions are lifted. Keeping the campus community safe and healthy, meeting student needs, and engaging in hiring around the academic core, will certainly be priorities as we engage in these efforts.
b. UUP expressed SUNY-wide concerns regarding numbers of SUNY tenured/tenure-track faculty and workload concerns.
V. Labor-Management Meeting Minutes:
Discussion on disseminating information to support UUP’s commitment to transparency and effective communication to UUP members.
VI. In-person/Hybrid New Employee Orientations:
UUP requested a hybrid remote and in-person orientation and to present last on the agenda.
Human Resource Services responded that due to the transitional nature of the summer, orientation will remain online for the July & August NEOs. HR is reviewing the order of the presenters, but notes that HRS Benefits typically presents last, to allow for individual employees to ask questions beyond the orientation meeting.