named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Delegate Assembly
Governing body meetings where elected delegates from chapters across the state discuss union business, vote on policies, and receive training on workplace and union issues.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Provides research, resources, and advocacy to counter inequity and bias in higher education and support a diverse workforce.
Retired Membership Program
Provides retired UUP members with life insurance, access to dental and vision plans, legal services, and discounts on various products and services.
Vote-COPE
Political action program that supports pro-public education and pro-labor candidates through member contributions, advocacy days, and fundraising events.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Faculty & Academic Labor Union Representation 2 activities
- Advocate for public higher education and labor rightsSupports legislative and policy efforts to protect collective bargaining rights under the Taylor Law, oppose privatization of university resources, correct misperceptions about higher education, and advance solutions for campus challenges. Engages members and students in advocacy days, in-district meetings, and direct legislative outreach.
- Negotiate collective bargaining agreementsEngages in collective bargaining to secure employment terms and conditions for university professionals, including negotiating a 2022–2026 contract with New York State that includes AI protections and salary increases. Represents over 42,000 members across SUNY campuses and System Administration.
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Union Member Training & Leadership Development 2 activities
- Build internal union capacity through committees and trainingOperates standing committees on human and civil rights, advocacy, membership, and governance. Hosts committee meetings to support academic programs and union operations, and provides training for delegates on grievance processes, student loan debt, member engagement, and workplace hostility.
- Facilitate member mobilization and engagementConducts ongoing member mobilization, recruitment, and volunteer opportunities for organizing efforts. Provides tools, resources, and support to help members advance their careers and counter inequity, bias, microaggressions, and workplace hostility.
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Union Member Communications 2 activities
- Communicate contract and union updates to membersProvides regular negotiations bulletins, operates a notification system for contract-related events, and informs members about contract demands and actions. Represents members in collective bargaining and keeps them informed throughout the process.
- Produce union communications and mediaProduces two official publications—The Voice (print and online) and The Echo (online only)—featuring union news, member stories, and benefits information. Hosts The Voice podcast, led by UUP President Fred Kowal, discussing labor issues, social justice, and national challenges.
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Internal Organizational Elections 1 activity
- Administer democratic governance processesConducts mail-based nominations and elections for Chapter Leadership, Delegates, and Affiliate Delegates. Elects Statewide officers and Executive Board members through seated delegates at the Delegate Assembly, using a formula of 1 delegate per 75 members. Organizes the Delegate Assembly as the main governance meeting for policy votes, reports, and constitutional changes.
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Nonprofit Sector Research & Data Analysis 1 activity
- Conduct research to inform union strategyConducts member surveys to improve organizing efforts and published the final report of the Task Force on Retirees in May 2026. Research informs union programming and advocacy.
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Union and Association Benefit Funds 1 activity
- Provide retiree benefits and supportOffers $1,000 of life insurance coverage to eligible retired members and organizes pre-retirement workshops and events. Facilitates advocacy engagement for retired members at both in-district and statewide levels.
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Labor-Backed Candidate Endorsements & Electoral Support 1 activity
- Support political candidates through Vote CopeSupports NYSUT-endorsed candidates and campaign committees that are pro-public education and pro-labor through the Vote Cope program. Also supports political candidates advocating for public higher education, university employees, students, patients, and retirement protections, regardless of party affiliation.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$13.51M
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$12.91M96%
Investment income$475K4%
Other revenue$121K
expenses
Total expenses$13.74M
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$7.02M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$17.20M
Cash$15.77M
Investments$0
Liabilities$4.65M
Net assets$12.55M
Liquid reserves13.8 mo
4 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +9.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 10
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FREDERICK KOWAL | PRESIDENT | 40 | $298K |
| JERILUANNE O'BRYAN-LOSEE | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 35 | $275K |
| CAROLYN KUBE | VPP | 40 | $248K |
| ALISSA KARL | VPA | 40 | $244K |
| KRISTIE SAMMONS | DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZING | 39 | $214K |
| TINA GEORGE | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE/HR | 14 | $209K |
| DOREEN BANGO | DIRECTOR OF MEMBER BENEFIT | 0 | $206K |
| LYNN ALDERMAN | DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION | 26 | $192K |
| LUCAS WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION | 20 | $191K |
| PATRICK ROMAIN | MEM DEV OFFICER | 16 | $87K |
board members · 15
- BRET BENJAMIN — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
- CHARLIE MCATEER — RMGB CHAIR
- DARLEYNE MAYERS — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
- IDALIA TORRES — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
- JACLYN PITTSLEY — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
- KATHLEEN KIELAR — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
- KELLY KECK — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
- LISA MARIE ANSELMI — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
- MINDY HEATH — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
- PAMELA MALONE — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
- REBECCA BRYAN — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
- REDETHA ABRAHAMS-NICHOLS — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
- SAMUEL MARQUEZ — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
- SUSAN ORR — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
- THOMAS MELENDY — EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- AFT Network — Provides retired members with access to AFT discounted programs and services
- Academic Medical Programs Committee Partner — Committee providing direct support to academic medical programs within UUP's structure.
- Constitution and Governance Committee Partner — Committee involved in governance and constitutional matters within UUP.
- Darryl McGrath Partner — Managing Editor for UUP publications
- Disability Rights and Concerns Committee Partner — Committee focused on addressing disability-related issues for UUP members.
- Finance Committee Partner — Committee supporting internal financial oversight and management of UUP operations.
- Fred Kowal Partner — UUP President and host of The Voice podcast
- Jeri O'Bryan-Losee Government — UUP Secretary/Treasurer who provides assistance with election processes
- MetLife Partner — Provides legal services plan available for purchase by UUP retired members
- Mike Lisi Partner — UUP Communications Director
- NEA Network — Offers retired members access to NEA discounted programs and services
- NYSUT Network — Offers retired members access to NYSUT discounted programs and services
- NYSUT Network — Supports NYSUT-endorsed candidates through the Vote Cope program.
- New York State Government — Negotiating party in collective bargaining agreement covering employment terms for UUP members.
- SUNY Government — Represents employees across 29 state-operated SUNY campuses and System Administration.
- Secretary/Treasurer Office Partner — Collaborates with the Secretary/Treasurer Office to coordinate member involvement in committee work.
- State Government — Engages in contract negotiations with the State as the employer party.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Delegate-Based Democratic Governancemethodology: delegate-based_governanceBy using a delegate-based governance model, the union ensures that chapter-level input shapes statewide decisions, because structured bottom-up communication channels sustain member ownership and democratic legitimacy.
- Equity and Inclusion as Structural Practicemethodology: equity-and-inclusionBy integrating equity, inclusion, and social justice into union governance and operations, the union strengthens representation and solidarity, because diverse member participation and anti-bias efforts improve legitimacy and responsiveness to marginalized communities.
- Member-Driven Organizing and Bargaining Powermethodology: member-driven organizingBy mobilizing and engaging members in organizing and collective bargaining processes, the union strengthens its negotiating position and effectiveness, because broad-based participation demonstrates organizational strength and ensures that member priorities shape outcomes.
- Research and Advocacy Capacity Buildingmethodology: research-and-advocacy-trainingBy equipping members with research skills and advocacy training, the union enables them to effectively challenge inequity and advance shared values, because empowered members can more effectively influence policy and institutional practices.