UUP and SUNY reach agreement on mandatory COVID-19 testing for UUP-represented employees

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras and United University Professions (UUP) President Fred Kowal have signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding mandatory COVID-19 testing of UUP-represented employees who are required to report in person to campus to conduct some or all of their work obligation.

The Memorandum, which can be read in full via this link, calls for all SUNY campuses to consult with their UUP chapter representatives in development of the surveillance testing protocols. It requires that these protocols protect employees’ privacy to the extent possible, and that testing be conducted without cost to employees.

The process of implementing mandatory employee testing at SUNY New Paltz is currently in the planning stages. Campus leaders from the Office of Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion, the President’s Office and the Testing & Tracing subcommittee have already reached out to UUP Chapter President Beth Wilson and other UUP representatives to arrange a meeting this week or next to discuss questions and concerns related to this testing.

The Memorandum states that testing will continue through Dec. 31, 2020, and leaves open the possibility of an extension if both sides concur. The agreement does not set a rigid schedule, other than to state that testing will be conducted “no less frequently than occurs for the student population.”

More details and updates will be shared with the campus community as soon as they are available.