| Decades after UUP first pressed the state and SUNY for policies that would give UUP members better leave time with their newborns and young children, UUP has achieved an almost-unheard-of expansion of paid leave for new parents. The state’s new Paid Parental Leave policy is part of UUP’s tentative agreement for a new contract with the state, which both sides reached last week. The expanded leave would allow members up to 12 weeks of parental leave with pay, which can be taken consecutively with the union’s existing negotiated Paid Family Leave benefit. The new benefit was announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul at a June 13 press conference at the Albany Labor Temple in Albany. UUP President Fred Kowal spoke at the event, as did leaders from CSEA and PEF; those unions also negotiated the policy into their contracts. “We owe you a debt of gratitude,” Kowal said of the governor in his remarks at the press conference. “Programs and policies that value our families are good for all of New York state. We know [the governor] is committed to building a stronger SUNY for our students, our patients and the communities we serve.” Read it HERE. View photos from the event HERE. View Kowal’s remarks at the event HERE. |
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