Passed unanimously, 4/12/16

Whereas, the campus community at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has suffered cowardly acts of racism and intolerance, most recently the Islamophobic message painted on the Fine Arts Center; and

Whereas, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, and anti-Muslim rhetoric has become increasingly prevalent; and

Whereas, we recognize that this rhetoric and these hateful messages serve to harm or intimidate us or many of our brothers, sisters, co-workers, and students with whom we share not only this campus but this world; and

Whereas, it is our duty and obligation to come together collectively to defend the members of this bargaining unit from discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, and mental or physical disability;

Therefore, we condemn this most recent graffiti and all other acts of racism, intolerance, or discrimination and pledge to the best of our ability to support and protect those in our ranks and on campus from such abuses.

Passed unanimously, 4/12/16

Whereas, just cause protects workers from unjust discrimination, discipline, termination, and other forms of unequal treatment, and;

Whereas, the protection of just cause is a fundamental component of any collective bargaining agreement, and;

Whereas, the University Staff Association and all other bargaining units organized under the University of Massachusetts have won and enjoy the protection of just cause, and;

Whereas, the University Staff Association recognizes students, and student workers, as our allies in the struggle for better working and learning conditions at the University;

Therefore, let it be resolved, that the University Staff Association supports the Residential Assistant and Peer Mentor unit of UAW 2322 and urges the University to grant these student workers the same fundamental right to just cause as other bargaining unit employees on campus.

Congratulations and welcome to new stewards Marie-Lee Gallo-O’Connell, Sovann-Malis Loeung, and Victoria Rupp.

Here is the current list of stewards:

District 1 – Linda Fish

District 2 – Vincent Wurster

District 3 – Marcie-Lee Gallo-O’Connell

District 4 – Sovann-Malis Loeung

District 5 – Sheila Seuffert (Chair)

District 6 – Chris Hrasna

District 7 – Karen Markham

District 8 – Tiffany Davis

District 9 – Victoria Rupp