June 10, 2024 — WASHINGTON — Nearly five months after both PEF President Wayne Spence and UUP President Fred Kowal received a phone call from SUNY Chancellor John King informing them of a mysterious plan to “transform” SUNY Downstate, both union leaders found themselves in the Rayburn House Office Building on June 5 thanking U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke for her help saving SUNY Downstate and securing a commitment from her that the critical healthcare hub in her Brooklyn home district will not be neglected.
Spence and Kowal were joined by five members of the “Concerned Clergy of NYC,” a group of faith leaders who partnered with the unions from the beginning of the fightback campaign. Also on the trip were key PEF and UUP leaders who work at SUNY Downstate, as well as legislative staff from PEF and the American Federation of Teachers.
“We’re here along with PEF and UUP because the fight to save SUNY Downstate continues,” said Bishop Orlando Findlayter, who serves as a pastor at New Hope Christian Fellowship in Brooklyn. “We had a fruitful meeting with Congresswoman Clarke and we are committed to doing what we do – street engagement, community engagement, informing members of the community that SUNY is open, and they should come for services. We’re also providing some level of comfort to the employees – don’t abandon ship – because you are needed by this community.”
Thanks in part to rallies, marches, and public awareness campaigns, the Brooklyn Needs Downstate coalition was successful in “saving” SUNY Downstate by negotiating a deal with Governor Hochul to establish a community advisory board that now must make recommendations about the future of the hospital by April 1, 2025. There are nine seats on the board, and one will be filled by a union stakeholder, UUP President Kowal. UUP represents more than 3,000 employees at SUNY Downstate.
“We asked for a meeting with Congresswoman Clarke because we know she has a good relationship with the Governor and can stress to her how important it is that the advisory board be established with a transparent process that values community input,” said PEF President Spence. “In addition, the long-term viability of SUNY Downstate may depend on federal dollars and knowing that we have support in Washington really helps.”
The recently passed New York State budget includes $300 million for capital improvements to SUNY Downstate that will now be set aside until after the board makes its recommendations, and $100 million in the near term to cover hospital operating costs.
While the board conducts its work, PEF will continue to advocate for the hospital. Additional meetings with State and federal lawmakers – including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer– are being set up, and further actions involving PEF and UUP members at SUNY Downstate will be planned.
“As a PEF elected officer, I’ve now been part of two campaigns to save SUNY Downstate – in 2012 and again this year – and we’ll stay in the fight until the future of this hospital that does so much for so many is assured,” said President Spence.
