A newly-emerged group that ran in the election for the United University Professions (UUP), a union that represents faculty and other professionals on campus, won the majority of positions according to the results announced on Thursday, April 18.
The group, Coalition for Union Reform & Democracy, won six out of the seven top officer positions in the election including the president, vice president for academics, secretary, treasurer, the officer for contingents and the officer for retirees.
Edward Quinn, who won the president and delegate position with 460 votes out of 698 total tallied, said the coalition accomplished their goal of getting more people to vote. This year, 727 valid ballets were counted compared to 315 last election.
“It’s a clear message that people agree with what we put out there,” Quinn said.
He said he spoke the current chapter president about setting up meetings to start the transitioning process, which would include reviewing some of the pending issues in the office to get up to speed.
“What is really good about the coalition is that we do have sort of a team already formed,” Quinn said. “So we can hit the ground running on some of these issues.”
The newly elected candidates will assume office on June 1 and will serve a two year term.
Eugene Hammond, who won the vice president for academics and delegate position with 214 votes against 79, said he didn’t expect the coalition would win the election as soundly as it did.
“I think it’s a sign that people would like a reenergized union,” Hammond said. “And I think the people involved in this coalition are ready to provide that.”
The coalition will have an open town hall meeting in May to ask union members for ideas, Hammond said.
Frederick Walter who is the current vice president for academics said in an email “I wish the winning team the best.”
The coalition posted on its Facebook page celebrating its “historic election victory,” citing the contested election with increased voter turnout.
“Thank you for voting and being an active member by helping shape the direction of our chapter,” the Facebook post said. “By voting you have made our chapter stronger and in a better position to advocate for our members.”
