WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: United University Professions (UUP) President Fred Kowal was in Buffalo (Saturday, May 6th) over the weekend to preside over a major rally that drew hundreds of local UUPers, who assembled in a Sea of Red outside Rockwell Hall on the campus of Buffalo State College.  The support was just another example of UUPers coming out across New York in order to voice their call for a new contract with the State.  A series of speakers fired up the crowd, who broke out in unison - many times over the course of the rally, with a chant of “Who Are We? UUP!”  (WNYLaborToday.com photos)

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – United University Professions’ (UUP) Sea of Red showed up in Buffalo over the weekend (Saturday, May 6th) as several hundred local UUPers joined with area Labor Leaders and Elected Officials to publicly call for New York State to get back to the table and negotiate a new contract.  And if the Buffalo rally that was held at Buffalo State College was anything like a number of others held by UUP across New York, this Sea of Red is sure to transform into a tsunami as it aims its strength and voice directly at Albany and Governor Kathy Hochul.

The Buffalo event was part of UUP’s series of rallies that have been held across the State, starting with an April 21st rally at the University at Albany.  Since then, nearly 30 rallies and gatherings on SUNY campuses have taken place - from Cobleskill to Buffalo to Plattsburgh and Stony Brook.

“We’ve had these (rallies) ‘all over and this is all coming together - it’s power.’  ‘We are united for a fair’ contract,” UUP President Fred Kowal (pictured above), who presided over the boisterous and greatly-attended rally, told those in attendance, including many carrying signs that read: Fair Contract Now, 20% or Fight and Union Strong.

UUP’s current contract expired on July 1st, 2022, but due to the remnants of the COVID-19 Pandemic and gearing up for a budget fight in 2023, it appeared New York State put negotiating a new UUP contract on the back-burner. 

But after this series of rallies, it appears UUP has moved it to the front-burner.

“There ‘have been challenges,’” Kowal told WNYLaborToday.com after he spoke to the crowd.  “There’s ‘been a number of statewide issues and the budget slowed us down.’  ‘But this was the best budget (UUP’s) seen in twenty years and we were able to get (needed) operating aid, as well as more money for Faculty and SUNY’ (the State University of New York System).  ‘I know our (State) Legislators are committed’ (to finalizing a new contract).”

(WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: For More Read: May 3 - United University Professions President Frederick Kowal On The Enacted 2023-2024 State Budget: “The Governor Has Kept Her Promise To Champion Public Higher Education In New York”)

Looking back at the assembled crowd, Kowal added: “‘I’m proud as hell to be their President.’  ‘Their energy is like I have never seen.’  ‘We’re not going to give up.’”

UUP - the Nation’s largest Higher Education Union, represents more than 42,000 Academic and Professional Faculty and Retirees.  

UUP Members work at 29 New York State-operated campuses and State University of New York’s Public Teaching Hospitals and Health Science Centers in Brooklyn, Long Island and Syracuse.  

At the rally were a number of UUPers who traveled to Buffalo to take part in the rally and who were acknowledged from being from several Western New York SUNY Campuses, including Alfred State, Fredonia, Geneseo and Empire State, as well as from Downstate Medical in Brooklyn.

UUP Chief Negotiator Bret Benjamin got the crowd going by proclaiming: “‘This sea of red across the State is beautiful to see.’”

“We ‘need better’ working conditions for (our Members) ‘who have worked heroically,’” Benjamin told those dressed in their red t-shirts and who shouted out their approval.  “During the pandemic ‘you put their lives on the line.’  Public health care ‘depends on our’ SUNY Hospitals.  ‘We have to fight for your’ Adjunct Facility, ‘fight for your’ Professors, ‘fight for your’ Hospital Workers ‘because if we fight together - we will win.’  ‘And it doesn’t end with this rally.’”

Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation (WNYALF) President Peter DeJesus, Jr. told those at the rally that the full force of the WNYALF’s 145,000 Affiliated Union Members were behind UUP in the Union’s quest for a new contract.

“‘We are here with you in this fight,’” DeJesus said.  “‘It is time for a new contract… past time.’  (New York State) ‘should give UUP what they deserve’ - your Professors, Librarians, Adjuncts and Staff.  ‘Why can’t’ New York State (agree to) fair wages, job security.  ‘It’s time to insist they do because Educators have kept their promise.’  ‘We’re putting (New York State) on notice - it’s time to get back to the (negotiating) table.’”

New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Secretary-Treasurer J. Philippe Abraham was also in Buffalo, telling those at the rally: “NYSUT ‘stands with you.’  ‘Do the right thing New York.’”

NYSUT Western Region Director Joe Cantafio also spoke at the rally, saying: “‘An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.’  ‘Whenever we fight together, we win.’” 

UUP is an affiliate of New York State United Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.    

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: For More On This Labor News Report, Go To: Energy, resolve hallmarks of Contract Action Week rallies (uupinfo.org)