Dear UCU Members,
Thank you for joining us at yesterday’s General Membership Meeting. The prolonged isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic has been hard for us all, and it was uplifting to see all of you. As a lot of information was covered, and because not everyone was able to attend the meeting, we’d like to share the slides from yesterday’s meeting as well as answers to members’ questions.
Regarding COVID-19, UCU has been meeting regularly with the administration to advocate for the membership’s interests and to voice staff concerns during the pandemic. The administration continues to plan for multiple scenarios (for the Fall semester, reopening the campus, returning to work, etc.). We anticipate, per the administration, that regardless of which scenario is chosen, some members will be directly affected.
- Will there be layoffs and furloughs?
- The administration has told us that if the Fall semester is online this year, some staff may be furloughed if they are unable to do their jobs remotely. Furlough is their preferred option as employees will receive unemployment while still being eligible for all benefits excluding pay (for example, health insurance will still be available). Layoffs may be necessary in a worst-case scenario, but both furloughs and layoffs, if any, should be minimal according to CU. If you are furloughed for the Fall 2020 semester, the current expectation is that you would return for Spring 2021. However, if the Spring 2021 semester arrives and they still cannot have you on campus, there is the possibility of layoffs. However, if that should occur, the Union will be notified and will negotiate to protect your interests, and severance packages are still in place.
- The administration has told us that if the Fall semester is online this year, some staff may be furloughed if they are unable to do their jobs remotely. Furlough is their preferred option as employees will receive unemployment while still being eligible for all benefits excluding pay (for example, health insurance will still be available). Layoffs may be necessary in a worst-case scenario, but both furloughs and layoffs, if any, should be minimal according to CU. If you are furloughed for the Fall 2020 semester, the current expectation is that you would return for Spring 2021. However, if the Spring 2021 semester arrives and they still cannot have you on campus, there is the possibility of layoffs. However, if that should occur, the Union will be notified and will negotiate to protect your interests, and severance packages are still in place.
- How will they make these decisions?
- The administration is collecting information from department heads and committees, from the UCU executive committee, and from the state to determine what changes will be necessary for the Fall semester and how many employees will be impacted. The administration must inform UCU of any planned furloughs or layoffs, if any, and we will work to protect our members’ interests. The Union will continue to keep members informed of any changes Cooper Union plans as soon as we have that information.
- The administration is collecting information from department heads and committees, from the UCU executive committee, and from the state to determine what changes will be necessary for the Fall semester and how many employees will be impacted. The administration must inform UCU of any planned furloughs or layoffs, if any, and we will work to protect our members’ interests. The Union will continue to keep members informed of any changes Cooper Union plans as soon as we have that information.
- When will members be notified of the administration’s decisions?
- Members who are expected to work part-time during the summer should receive a scheduling letter by May 15th from Natalie Brooks outlining their schedule and responsibilities. If you do not receive a letter but believe you should have received one, please reach out to memberucu@gmail.com so that we can follow up on your behalf.
- All members, including part-time and full-time staff, should receive a letter by June 15th notifying them of Cooper’s plans for the Fall 2020 semester: this is whether the semester will be in-person, online, or a hybrid of both, as well as how that will impact employment. Plans are forming for the various scenarios now. If by June 15th you have not received this notice, please contact memberucu@gmail.com so that we can follow up with Human Resources.
- We want to reiterate that nothing has been determined yet, and information about how the administration will proceed will not be available until June 15. Please reach out to the Union directly, not your managers, if you have questions. These plans may change depending on the many codependent factors associated with COVID-19. The Union will continue to keep members updated as we receive new information.
- Members who are expected to work part-time during the summer should receive a scheduling letter by May 15th from Natalie Brooks outlining their schedule and responsibilities. If you do not receive a letter but believe you should have received one, please reach out to memberucu@gmail.com so that we can follow up on your behalf.
- If I am unsure whether I will be furloughed, should I still apply for unemployment?
- Members will become eligible for unemployment once they are no longer receiving a paycheck from Cooper Union. Your eligibility is determined by the state, not by Cooper Union, so feel free to apply should you receive confirmation from Cooper Union that you are either furloughed or laid-off. There’s no harm in applying should there be a gap in your work, as you can stop accepting unemployment if you return to work. If your part-time position ends on May 15th, you should apply for unemployment if you have no other means of income, which would end if Cooper Union asks you to return to work. If you do apply for unemployment, please let UCU know how the process goes for you. It’s helpful information for us to have when replying to other members.
- If you are asked to work while furloughed, Cooper Union will ensure that these hours do not impact your unemployment benefits. The part-time hours you work will be capped, and that limit is still being determined.
- Members will become eligible for unemployment once they are no longer receiving a paycheck from Cooper Union. Your eligibility is determined by the state, not by Cooper Union, so feel free to apply should you receive confirmation from Cooper Union that you are either furloughed or laid-off. There’s no harm in applying should there be a gap in your work, as you can stop accepting unemployment if you return to work. If your part-time position ends on May 15th, you should apply for unemployment if you have no other means of income, which would end if Cooper Union asks you to return to work. If you do apply for unemployment, please let UCU know how the process goes for you. It’s helpful information for us to have when replying to other members.
- How will vacation accruals be affected by changes to employment caused by COVID-19?
- At this time, our contract specifies that full-timers can only carry over 11 vacation days beyond August 31. We can negotiate with Human Resources on how to proceed as circumstances change and on a case-by-case basis if needed. Contact memberucu@gmail.com should you need assistance in this matter. For part-timers, vacation days do not carry over, but past practice has been to pay out members for unused days.
- At this time, our contract specifies that full-timers can only carry over 11 vacation days beyond August 31. We can negotiate with Human Resources on how to proceed as circumstances change and on a case-by-case basis if needed. Contact memberucu@gmail.com should you need assistance in this matter. For part-timers, vacation days do not carry over, but past practice has been to pay out members for unused days.
- Will maternity benefits (aka short term disability) be affected if I am furloughed?
- If you are on short term disability or plan to be soon, you are eligible for those benefits as a furloughed employee.
- If you are on short term disability or plan to be soon, you are eligible for those benefits as a furloughed employee.
- Will Summer Fridays be in effect this summer?
- Our contract lays out the protocols that must be followed when summer hours are in effect, but this does not guarantee that they will be held. A formal decision has not yet been reached.
- Our contract lays out the protocols that must be followed when summer hours are in effect, but this does not guarantee that they will be held. A formal decision has not yet been reached.
- Will our 403(b) contributions be affected by COVID-19?
- During the April 28th meeting, President Laura Sparks mentioned that other higher education institutions have cut contributions to retirement funds. At this time the administration has not mentioned plans to pause retirement contributions. However, all options are on the table.
- During the April 28th meeting, President Laura Sparks mentioned that other higher education institutions have cut contributions to retirement funds. At this time the administration has not mentioned plans to pause retirement contributions. However, all options are on the table.
- If and when the campus begins opening up with social distancing protocols in place, how will the Administration handle employee access to the facilities?
- At this time, the shelter-in-place for 100% of employees set by NYS is still in place and no one is allowed to enter the building prior to the date Cooper has posted on the college’s website. If you need to go on campus while the buildings remain closed, you must have an essential reason and receive approval from your Dean or Department Chair. You should then email Natalie Brooks and copy memberucu@gmail.com. Include the date and time you wish to arrive, how long you intend to stay, and describe why you need to be on campus. Once you’re approved, security will be notified, and cleanings will be arranged for relevant areas before and after your visit. You have to wear gloves and masks to come in, and you will have to sign in with security. They are limiting how many people can be in the building at one time, but Cooper Union has been open to approving requests to retrieve things from an office that are needed to continue working from home.
- Your safety is the top priority, so there will be limits on how many people can enter the buildings. Protocols are developing now and will be shared once there is a clearer vision of the Fall 2020 semester. Management of spaces (labs, studios, etc.) will be determined as plans for the Fall semester firm up. It is unclear if research will continue in addition to regularly scheduled class hours in the labs.
- According to the administration, Cooper Union has a large budget for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and will provide necessary supplies to any employee required to be on-campus.
- At this time, the shelter-in-place for 100% of employees set by NYS is still in place and no one is allowed to enter the building prior to the date Cooper has posted on the college’s website. If you need to go on campus while the buildings remain closed, you must have an essential reason and receive approval from your Dean or Department Chair. You should then email Natalie Brooks and copy memberucu@gmail.com. Include the date and time you wish to arrive, how long you intend to stay, and describe why you need to be on campus. Once you’re approved, security will be notified, and cleanings will be arranged for relevant areas before and after your visit. You have to wear gloves and masks to come in, and you will have to sign in with security. They are limiting how many people can be in the building at one time, but Cooper Union has been open to approving requests to retrieve things from an office that are needed to continue working from home.
- Has anyone in the Union tested positive for COVID-19?
- We are aware of at least one member that has received a positive antibody test, but is not currently ill. We will discuss with the administration how members should report testing positive for COVID-19 and what steps should be taken with notifying the community for their own safety.
- Testing is covered under our health benefits. Additionally, Cooper Union is looking to partner with a testing clinic to provide nearby access for employees to be tested. We will update members if this partnership develops further.
- We are aware of at least one member that has received a positive antibody test, but is not currently ill. We will discuss with the administration how members should report testing positive for COVID-19 and what steps should be taken with notifying the community for their own safety.
- What are the protocols for scheduling, dress code, etc. for working from home?
- Cooper Union is developing protocols to share campus-wide. For now, UCU asks you to keep a few things in mind:
- Maintain regular work hours. Work your regularly scheduled work hours! You are not required to respond to emails or phone calls outside of your regularly scheduled work hours.
- If you are on a video call, please dress business casual from the waist up. Here are some additional resources for those who would like additional details about working from home: The do’s and don’ts of video conferencing and 7 Essential Tips for Working From Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic.
- If you are experiencing scheduling issues with your manager, please reach out to memberucu@gmail.com so that we can help you address it. Work life balance is essential, especially now!
- Cooper Union is developing protocols to share campus-wide. For now, UCU asks you to keep a few things in mind:
- What mental health resources are available to members?
- There are three resources that are available:
- Cooper Union’s Preferred Provider Organization Trustmark Health. Members should use the link provided through the Trustmark Health website by selecting “CIGNA Providers” under “My Links.” This will redirect you to the Cigna directory to determine if their present health care providers are participants or to search for a new provider.
- The Higher Ed EAP: free mental health, legal, and financial services. Just log-in or create an account on www.theEAP.com/Higher-Education-EAP. If you have never registered with the Employee Assistance Program, it is very easy to do. In addition to its regular list of services, the EAP has recently introduced a Coronavirus-focused resource center featuring helpful links, tools, and resources in both English and Spanish. If you need help logging in or wish to speak with a counselor, you can call them at 800-252-4555.
- The COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling. The mental health hotline is available to New Yorkers who need it.
- Cooper Union’s Preferred Provider Organization Trustmark Health. Members should use the link provided through the Trustmark Health website by selecting “CIGNA Providers” under “My Links.” This will redirect you to the Cigna directory to determine if their present health care providers are participants or to search for a new provider.
- There are three resources that are available:
- How will UCU keep members informed of developments from the administration?
- You will receive emails from memberucu@gmail.com about extensions to our return date, updates from the administration, and more.
- Please also check our website www.memberucu.com where we will be posting information shared from our most recent General Membership Meeting.
- You will receive emails from memberucu@gmail.com about extensions to our return date, updates from the administration, and more.
UCU will continue to work on behalf of our members and will share updates as we receive them. Please reach out to us if you have any questions, concerns about your working conditions, a need to connect with others, or if we can help in any way.
In solidarity,
UCU Executive Committee