SUNYHR

Board of Trustee UUP Resolution

M E M O R A N D U M

January 15, 2008

To:                   Members of the Board of Trustees

From:               Dr. John B. Clark, Interim Chancellor

Subject:           Tentative Agreement between the State of New York and United University Professions (UUP) for the 2008-2012 Academic Years to Include Across-the-board and Discretionary Salary Increases

 I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:

Whereas the State of New York and the United University Professions have reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement for the 2008-2012 academic years for members of the professional services negotiating unit; and

Whereas it is anticipated that legislation will be enacted which provides for implementation of the tentative collective bargaining agreement between the State of New York and United University Professions; now, therefore, be it

Resolved that the Guidelines for Discretionary Salary Increases (copy on file in the Office of the Secretary of the University), applicable to the professional service of the State University  in accordance with the tentative 2008-2012 agreement between the State of New York and United University Professions, be, and hereby are approved, contingent upon ratification of the tentative agreement by the members of United University Professions and enactment of implementing legislation; and, be it further

Resolved that salary schedules adopted on May 18, 2004 by Resolution 2004-57 are hereby repealed; and, be it further

Resolved that the salary schedules (copies on file in the Office of the Secretary of the University) for the 2008-2012 academic years for University faculty and professional employees represented through the tentative agreement between the State of New York and United University Professions be, and hereby are, approved, contingent upon ratification of the tentative agreement by the members of United University Professions and enactment of implementing legislation; and, be it further

Resolved that the Chancellor, or designee, be, and hereby is, authorized to take all steps necessary and appropriate to implement the plan and guidelines.

Background

            The State of New York and the United University Professions (UUP) have reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement for the 2008-2012 academic years. It is anticipated that the tentative agreement will be ratified by members of UUP and that legislation will be enacted to provide salary funding for fiscal years 2008-2012 for employees represented by the UUP.  The tentative agreement establishes new minimum salaries for each faculty and professional salary range.  Approval of maximum salaries are not set by the contract and remain the responsibility of the Board of Trustees.  The proposed maxima are increased consistent with the across-the-board increases.  The agreement establishes across-the-board compensation increases of three percent (3%) effective July 1, 2007; three percent (3%) effective July 1, 2008, three percent (3%) effective July 1, 2009 and four percent (4%) effective July 1, 2010.

            The agreement between the State of New York and United University Professions provides an amount equal to approximately one percent (1%) of the total salaries for each of four years for incumbents in this negotiating unit entitled to a salary increase for distribution by the State University.  The discretionary increases for each of these years are scheduled for payment no later than December 31 following the conclusion of the prior performance program year.  Payments are made retroactively to July 1 for employees having a calendar year or college year obligation, and retroactively to September 1 for employees having an academic year obligation.  These increases are to be made from pools established in the campus budgets.  To be eligible to receive one of these discretionary adjustments, an employee must be on the payroll on July 1, 2008, July 1, 2009, July 1, 2010, or July 1, 2011, as applicable, and on the payroll when the payments are made.

            Employees who have been granted permanent or continuing appoint-ment or a second five-year term appointment effective on or after July 2, 2007 will receive a lump-sum of $500 added to base salary, effective January 1, 2008.   Employees who receive such appointment effective on or after January 1, 2008 but effective on or before July 1, 2011 shall receive such advance on the effective date the appointment is granted.

            Part-time employees who have completed at least 8 years of continuous service at the campus in which they are currently employed before January 1, 2008 shall receive a lump-sum payment of $500 effective January 1, 2008.  Employees who receive complete 8 years of continuous service effective on or after January 1, 2008 but effective on or before July 1, 2011 shall receive such advance on the effective date the service requirement is reached.

            Location stipends for full-time employees in the Downstate region (New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Rockland, or Westchester Counties) will be $1,850 effective July 1, 2008 and $3,026 effective January 1, 2009.  Location stipends for full-time employees in the Mid-Hudson region (Dutchess, Putnam, or Orange Counties) will be $1,000 effective July 1, 2008 and $1,513 effective January 1, 2009.

Guidelines for Discretionary Salary Increases

January 15, 2008

General Provisions:

            The tentative agreement between the State of New York and UUP provides for the distribution of four pools of funds, each equal to one percent (1%) of salaries, at the discretion of the SUNY Board of Trustees, to eligible employees who hold positions in the professional services negotiating unit.

            Discretionary salary funds are to be used to recognize performance and to redress inequities found in the salaries of members of the professional services negotiating unit.  Each president is obligated to certify that all discretionary increases granted for 7/1/07–6/30/08, 7/1/08-6/30/09, 7/1/09-6/30/10 and 7/1/10-6/30/11 are implemented.

            Discretionary increases are added to base salaries.  Appropriate adjustments must be made for those not paid on an annual salary basis.

Discretionary Adjustments:

            The discretionary increases for each of these years are scheduled for payment no later than December 31 following the conclusion of the prior performance program year.  Payments are made retroactively to July 1 for employees having a calendar year or college obligation, and retroactively to September 1 for employees having an academic year obligation.  These increases are to be made from pools established in the campus budgets.  To be eligible to receive one of these discretionary adjustments, an employee must be on the payroll on 7/1/08, 7/1/09, 7/1/10 or 7/1/11, as appropriate and on the payroll when the payments are made.  Persons on leave from such positions, but continuing in UUP service in accordance with the terms of the contract, may be considered for discretionary increases.  In addition, hourly or bi-weekly pay basis employees and returning temporary staff whose service ends prior to 6/30/08, 6/30/09, 6/30/10 or 6/30/11 shall be eligible for discretionary salary increases for work performed in 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, as appropriate.

Exception Policy:

            In an extraordinary circumstance, campuses are able to exceed the salary maxima for an individual employee.  The authority to approve an exception resides with the campus president and is not delegable to any other officer.  An exception to the maxima must be reported to the University-wide Human Resource Office, including the rationale and documentation for the exception and a certification that the funds to support a salary exception, both on a fiscal and annualized basis, are available in the current budget at the campus.

            While there is no predetermined limit on exceptions, it should be understood that this procedure is expected to be used only in exceptional cases.  This procedure should not be used to increase the salary of a long-time employee who has reached the top of the rank or salary level.  An individual’s State salary may not exceed that of the campus president without prior approval by the Chancellor.

Funding:

            Campuses will receive a 1% discretionary pool for the 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 fiscal years.  Amounts expended beyond those pool totals will be borne by the campus-operating budget.  When verifying the campus pool totals, funding sources should be identified as State Purpose, Income Fund Reimbursable, Dormitory Income Fund Reimbursable, or Hospital Income Fund Reimbursable.  Although campuses are authorized to spend pool dollars, State reimbursement will be only for the State Purpose portion of the salaries.

Rosters:

            Discretionary salary adjustments should be reported on a roster to University-wide Human Resources.  The format of the rosters will be provided prior to the date on which salary adjustments will be made.