UB Union President to Receive Outstanding Leader Award from New York State United Teachers

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Thomas J. Tucker, president of the Buffalo Center Chapter of United University Professions (UUP) at the University at Buffalo, will receive the Regional Outstanding Leader Award from the Western New York Region of New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) at that union's 25th Annual Awards Dinner, to be held June 7 at Samuel's Grand Manor, 8750 Main St. in Williamsville.

Tucker, scene shop supervisor in the UB Center for the Arts, will be the first labor leader from higher education to receive the award, the most prestigious presented by this NYSUT region, which represents more than 19,000 members throughout Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

Those interested in attending the dinner can contact Camille Irr at the NYSUT WNY regional office, 634-7132, or cirr@nysutmail.org.

NYSUT Regional Staff Director Michael Deely, says, "Tom Tucker was selected to receive this coveted award because of his long-time full engagement in and commitment to higher education and K through 12 education.

"He represents this NYSUT region as a member of the executive board of the Buffalo AFL-CIO," says Deely, "and has for many years selflessly participated in political action work, leadership councils, workshops and many other union efforts on behalf of students, teachers, professors and professional staff members."

UUP is a state-wide local of NYSUT and Tucker has held several UUP chapter offices, including vice president for professionals and grievance chair for professional staff. He also is delegate to the state-wide UUP Delegate Assembly, a UUP delegate to the NYSUT Representative Assembly and serves as UUP's statewide coordinator for VOTE Cope, the NYSUT political action committee.