Grievance

A message from the UUP Professional Grievance Officer…
Edward O’Connell

Greetings! Those of you who attended the UUP New Employee Orientations had a very brief introduction to my role as and for the rest, I want to be sure that you know the essentials of what the UUP Professional Grievance Officer actually does. In addition, it is very important that you know how to contact me in the event you have a question, need some job coaching or require UUP assistance.

Mission: The UUP Professional Grievance Officer is empowered to meet and represent all UUP professionals who are having any difficulty in their work here at the Stony Brook University (West Campus and Southampton) and to defend all professionals from all allegations being made against them by their supervisors. Working side by side with the NYSUT Labor Specialist, Lisa Willis, the Grievance Officer and the NYSUT Labor Specialist seeks to evaluate and mediate all professional issues on a local level. Should the professional issues involve a contractual grievance that cannot be settled on the local level then an official grievance will be filed with the State within the appropriate time frame.

Executive summary: This past year has been an active one with over 70 meetings scheduled at the UUP office with over 145 UUP Professionals. In addition, phone calls, consults, e-mails and referrals make up the remaining bulk of activities that are run through this office. Be advised that much of the work of this office is performed back stage (i.e. confidentiality is maintained) and all cases are discussed with the Stony Brook Chapter President on an ongoing basis.

Outreach: Working side by side with Lisa Willis, we have teamed up with the UUP Professional Counsel in order to be proactive and equip professionals with knowledge and information that will assist all professionals as they develop their careers here at SBU.

Professional Seminar Topics:

1) What it takes to be a SBU Professional
2) Time Management
3) Diversity
4) Empowerment
5) How to get Permanent Appointment
6) Gripe, Grievance or do I just work for a Demanding Boss
7) Who am I ? re: payroll issues – Exempt / Nonexempt / Comp Time / $OT$ eligible
8) Stress Management: Monthly Red Dragon Labyrinth Walks (EAP co-sponsor)

Future Plans 2008/2009:

1) Work with the UUP Executive Board and the Administration to create an
Official SBU Form Professionals can use re: Promotions and Salary Increases.
HR Draft DUE date is set for 9/30/08.

2) Continue developing programs and seminars with the Professional Counsel for all professionals:

     a) Striving for Excellence
     b) Introducing Best Work Practices
     c) Covey 7 Habits for Highly Effective Professionals
     d) Networking Tips

3) Work with the UUP Executive Board and the Administration to establish a voluntary nonbinding mediation board (pilot project) that would be available as a negotiating option for the resolution of an issue(s) between an employee and their supervisor. The Grievance Officer proposes this format as a means for having a crucial conversation and/or crucial confrontation between two parties who are in gridlock.

4) Continue to follow-Up and support – Workplace Bully Legislation.

5) Overall strategy is to make SBU the “BEST PLACE TO WORK ON LONG ISLAND”

WHAT UUP CAN DO FOR YOU:

Explain university policies, procedures and UUP contractual rights
Assist you with your Performance Program
Assist you during your Performance Evaluation
Advise you of the best courses of action to take and help in pursuing them
Refer you to the person best able to address your concern and arrange a meeting with you
If necessary, intercede on your behalf with Human Resources or mediate for you if appropriate
Recommend specific changes to the university so that problem areas can be corrected for the future

WHERE TO FIND ME:
The UUP Office
Old Chemistry room 104
UUP Phone: 631.632.6570
Office Hours: Call Corinne Burns, UUP Chapter Assistant, and make an appointment

Email is generally the best and quickest way to reach me, but you are welcome to drop by my South Campus Office in Suffolk Hall , room 104. As the University Radiation Safety Officer I spend a lot of time in the field on both sides of campus so it is safest to set up an appointment (call Corinne at 2-6570) in advance if possible, but that is not essential.

Last touch: I hope that you won’t encounter any serious problems during the course of your employment at Stony Brook, but if you do, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

In Solidarity,

Phone:631.632.9674
Email: edward.oconnell@sunysb.edu


UPDATE: MARCH 2009
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	Grievance *A message from the UUP Professional Grievance Officer…* *Edward O’Connell* Greetings! Those of you who attended the UUP New Employee Orientations had a very brief introduction to my role as and for the rest, I want to be sure that you know the essentials of what the UUP Professional Grievance Officer actually does. In addition, it is very important that you know how to contact me in the event you have a question, need some job coaching or require UUP assistance. Mission: The UUP Professional Grievance Officer is empowered to meet and represent all UUP professionals who are having any difficulty in their work here at the Stony Brook University (West Campus and Southampton) and to defend all professionals from all allegations being made against them by their supervisors. Working side by side with the NYSUT Labor Specialist, Lisa Willis, the Grievance Officer and the NYSUT Labor Specialist seeks to evaluate and mediate all professional issues on a local level. Should the professional issues involve a contractual grievance that cannot be settled on the local level then an official grievance will be filed with the State within the appropriate time frame. Executive summary: This past year has been an active one with over 70 meetings scheduled at the UUP office with over 145 UUP Professionals. In addition, phone calls, consults, e-mails and referrals make up the remaining bulk of activities that are run through this office. Be advised that much of the work of this office is performed back stage (i.e. confidentiality is maintained) and all cases are discussed with the Stony Brook Chapter President on an ongoing basis. Outreach: Working side by side with Lisa Willis, we have teamed up with the UUP Professional Counsel in order to be proactive and equip professionals with knowledge and information that will assist all professionals as they develop their careers here at SBU. Professional Seminar Topics: 1) What it takes to be a SBU Professional 2) Time Management 3) Diversity 4) Empowerment 5) How to get Permanent Appointment 6) Gripe, Grievance or do I just work for a Demanding Boss 7) Who am I ? re: payroll issues – Exempt / Nonexempt / Comp Time / $OT$ eligible 8) Stress Management: Monthly Red Dragon Labyrinth Walks (EAP co-sponsor) Future Plans 2008/2009: 1) Work with the UUP Executive Board and the Administration to create an Official SBU Form Professionals can use re: Promotions and Salary Increases. HR Draft DUE date is set for 9/30/08. 2) Continue developing programs and seminars with the Professional Counsel for all professionals: a) Striving for Excellence b) Introducing Best Work Practices c) Covey 7 Habits for Highly Effective Professionals d) Networking Tips 3) Work with the UUP Executive Board and the Administration to establish a voluntary nonbinding mediation board (pilot project) that would be available as a negotiating option for the resolution of an issue(s) between an employee and their supervisor. The Grievance Officer proposes this format as a means for having a crucial conversation and/or crucial confrontation between two parties who are in gridlock. 4) Continue to follow-Up and support – Workplace Bully Legislation. 5) Overall strategy is to make SBU the “BEST PLACE TO WORK ON LONG ISLAND” WHAT UUP CAN DO FOR YOU: Explain university policies, procedures and UUP contractual rights Assist you with your Performance Program Assist you during your Performance Evaluation Advise you of the best courses of action to take and help in pursuing them Refer you to the person best able to address your concern and arrange a meeting with you If necessary, intercede on your behalf with Human Resources or mediate for you if appropriate Recommend specific changes to the university so that problem areas can be corrected for the future WHERE TO FIND ME: The UUP Office Old Chemistry room 104 UUP Phone: 631.632.6570 Office Hours: Call Corinne Burns, UUP Chapter Assistant, and make an appointment Email is generally the best and quickest way to reach me, but you are welcome to drop by my South Campus Office in Suffolk Hall , room 104. As the University Radiation Safety Officer I spend a lot of time in the field on both sides of campus so it is safest to set up an appointment (call Corinne at 2-6570) in advance if possible, but that is not essential. Last touch: I hope that you won’t encounter any serious problems during the course of your employment at Stony Brook, but if you do, please don’t hesitate to contact me. In Solidarity, Ed Phone:631.632.9674 Email: edward.oconnell@sunysb.edu	Quick Links United University Professions NYSUT - New York State United Teachers AFT - American Federation of Teachers
	United University Professions is the union representing nearly 32,000 academic and professional faculty on 29 state-operated State University of New York campuses, plus Central Administration, Empire State College, and the New York State Theatre Institute. The women and men who make up UUP educate the next generation of workers and leaders. They also engage in groundbreaking research and provide invaluable service to their communities. United University Professions. 104 Old Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3475, 631.632.6570. For questions about this web site, contact the webmaster at pwolfski@uupmail.org.

Grievance

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