"UPSEU" is the acronym for United Public Service Employees Union representing over 24,000 public sector workers.
UPSEU is the fastest growing union in the Tri-State area. UPSEU is comprised of workers employed as registered nurses, social workers, clerical employees, operations and maintenance employees, food service workers, librarians and library support personnel, educational classroom aides/monitors/assistants, transportation employees, probation officers, police officers, crossing guards, social welfare examiners, laborers and motor equipment operators, to name a few.
UPSEU has roots dating back 30 years and began representing public employees in 1986. Starting from our first bargaining unit to the most recent unit that has joined us, we have consistently maintained our commitment to providing the best level of representation available to public employees in the country.
Here’s what some of our members have to say about UPSEU:
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UPSEU COPS Division represented me in a case of termination without just cause against the Town of Madison, CT. Ultimately, the union won back my reinstatement with a six figure cash settlement and a full 20 year pension with benefits paid for by the town after I had only served 17 years. All of the staff at UPSEU/ COPS were 100% behind my case at every turn. They were ready at all hours to address developments, answer calls and questions, and provided professional and moral support for the entire eighteen months. I can't say enough about the staff and attorneys, particularly Ron Suraci. Ron has the uncanny ability to anticipate developments ahead of time and then establishes strategies, deals with and leverages events for a positive outcome. My sincere thanks to UPSEU and everyone involved.
Tim Heiden
Madison Police Department
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My first contact with UPSEU (then known as Local 424) was in November 1992. A gentleman named Paul T. Burch agreed to meet with a small group of workers who, at the time, worked for a hostile employer. After our meeting, Paul and UPSEU agreed to represent us. I remember asking Paul, “Why did you agree to help a group of maybe sixteen workers when so many other Unions turned us down?” Paul’s response to me was, “Look, we are not about the money, we are about representing employees who need our help.” Seventeen years later we, as employees of the Village of Rhinebeck, have all come to appreciate the valued representation UPSEU has given us. I am absolutely sure that without their representation we would have never been able to achieve the quality of life at work and at home that we now enjoy. My personal thanks to UPSEU and Executive Vice President Gary M. Hickey for all that you have done and continue to do for us. Congratulations on reaching 20,000 members!
Anthony C. Gasparini
Village of Rhinebeck
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In 1993 I was the CSEA Unit President when UPSEU filed the petition for an election to change unions. I fought vehemently to keep CSEA because I believed everything they told me. UPSEU wasn't a union and they wouldn't fulfill any of their campaign promises such as democratic negotiations, professional representation, were just some of CSEA's statements. My heart sank when the employees overwhelmingly voted for UPSEU because I thought we were going backwards. What I hadn't realized, however, was that all those years with CSEA we were going backwards; since we got rid of them, we have gone forward, every day and every contract. For the first time in my career with Rensselaer County I can honestly say we are represented by a REAL union that genuinely cares about us and listens to us.
Vickie Halse
Renssalaer County
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Changing unions to UPSEU was the best decision our unit could have made. We now have immediate access to UPSEU representatives who handle all of our work-related problems. They are always there for us. I call them all hours of the day and night and weekends and they are always available and promptly return our calls.
Sal Tumminello
Town of Teaneck
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I have been President of the Roosevelt School District Clerical Association since May 2002. Our unit unanimously voted to leave CSEA and join UPSEU on April 1, 2007 due to CSEA's lack of representation and failure to handle our workplace grievances. It was the best decision we ever made. With CSEA/AFSCME we were just throwing our dues down the drain.
Doris Squires
Roosevelt School District |
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I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate UPSEU for their 20,000 membership achievment. It only stands to reason that membership will grow when union officials go out of their way to provide excellent service and benefits as UPSEU had done for us for many years now. I would also like to thank UPSEU for securing us fair contracts and addressing many issues in a professional and timely manner. You have always been more than willing to help at a moment's notice. Keep up the great work and thank you for fighting our battles.
Dan Yoxall
Oneida County
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As President of my local unit, I can tell you first hand the importance of choosing the right union representation. The leadership of UPSEU/COPS has been impeccable in forging forward with organizing the local executive board and identifying pertinent labor issues. Labor grievances and complaints including those regarding insurance benefits, overtime and clarification of contract language have been filed and settled overwhelmingly in favor of the membership. With the leadership of UPSEU President Kevin Boyle and the full support of the entire UPSEU staff, the Norwich Police Unit is now recognized by the management of the Norwich Police Department and the managers of the City of Norwich, as a viable and professional labor organization.
James Curtis, Norwich Police Department
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In the eleven years that I have been involved with UPSEU as a steward, I have always encountered an open line of communication, with a positive an quick response to all of our needs here at Mohawk Valley Community College, as well as a great rapport with all of their staff.
James Kinney
Mohawk Valley Community College
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Page Last Updated: Apr 18, 2013 (12:03:44)
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