❄️Monday, February 23, 2026❄️
The USA nomination period for stewards (13), MTA Annual Meeting delegates (16), NEA Representative Assembly delegates (5), and Treasurer and Classification Specialist (one-year terms) begins TODAY, February 23rd!
Any and all dues-paying members are encouraged to nominate themselves or their coworkers for these positions. Please submit the nomination form by 5pm Monday, March 2nd (sent in the Feb 23 newsletter).
If you’re curious about the positions, please come to the USA membership meeting tomorrow, February 24th, at noon on Zoom to learn more or reach out to the USA Office with questions.
A ballot will be sent out to dues-paying members on Monday, March 9th and the voting period will conclude on Monday, March 16th at 5pm.
The election process is outlined in our constitution, which you can read on our website (Article IX, Page 11).
Learn more about being a steward from Adam Feldman, the steward for District #10!
Like many of you reading, my interest in union activities came from being a Silent Bargaining Representative during our last round of negotiations. When my frustration built to a point of action, I explored different ways that I could get involved and work toward a better end when the next contract battle begins.
Like many of you reading, my interest in union activities came from being a Silent Bargaining Representative during our last round of negotiations. When my frustration built to a point of action, I explored different ways that I could get involved and work toward a better end when the next contract battle begins.
USA is currently accepting nominations for all 13 Steward districts, and I encourage all interested parties to nominate themselves. You don’t have to be a contract master to run – the Stewards Council is there to train and support anyone who has the desire to learn. I typically spend only 1-2 hours per week on steward-related business, and we receive Union release time to attend our monthly Stewards Council meetings. In my opinion, the work is rewarding and important. If this sounds like something you would enjoy, please don’t hesitate!
📢Stand Out to Save Our Health Care: Springfield CANCELLED
Due to the immense pressure we all applied to Governor Healey and the GIC, Healey withdrew her call to shift these costs onto the more than 460,000 state and municipal employees, retirees, and their families. MTA has cancelled the two standouts planned for Tuesday, February 24 in Boston and Springfield. However, the fight to maintain GLP-1 coverage continues! Stay tuned to learn how you can continue to apply pressure! Read the MTA press release on the USA/MTA website.
Join your fellow USA colleagues and GIC members for a standout at the Governor’s Western Mass Regional Branch of Constituent Services as we rally to protect our healthcare!
📅Time: Tuesday, February 24th, 4-5pm
📍Location: Governor’s Western Mass Regional Branch of Constituent Services, 436 Dwight Street, Suite 300, Springfield, MA 01103
Help send a clear message to the GIC and Governor Healey: Don’t balance the budget on the backs of public workers and their families! We have an opportunity to address health inequities in this budget and demand better health care — not worse!
Come as soon as you can from school, your campus, or wherever you are! We’ll be there from 4-5pm. Join when you can. To learn more about the cuts, please visit.
Thanks to your advocacy, the GIC Commission postponed their vote to increase our health insurance costs! We’re not out of the woods yet – we still need to win the NO vote at the GIC meeting (not yet scheduled). Here are a few ways you can help fight these proposed cuts:
1. Keep the pressure on Governor Healey
– Call the Governor @ (617) 725-4005. Here’s an example script.
2. Contact your legislators – On the eve of last week’s vote, many legislators signed letters to the Governor opposing the proposed changes. However, signatures from those legislators listed here were missing. If your representatives did not sign, get in touch and ask them to oppose increasing costs for GIC members. You can find your legislators and their contact info here. Here’s a script.
The USA website recently underwent a redesign and is finally live! Take a few moments to read about the redesign process, learn about new features, and find out how you can help keep the website fresh and more useful for all of our members.
✨ Upcoming Events ✨
Du Bois Center Graduate Fellow Lecture by USA member Wilton Schereka: “Sound, Spirit, Struggle: Du Bois and South Africa”
Register below to attend a special lecture by 2025 W. E. B. Du Bois Center Graduate Student Fellow, Wilton Schereka on the correspondence between W. E. B. Du Bois and anti-apartheid activists in South Africa such as Charlotte Maxeke and Sol Plaatje.
Union Crafting Circle hosted by crafty USA members!
Bring your projects and handiwork for an hour of crafting and socializing! Everyone is welcome – not just USA members! We hope to establish this crafting group as a reoccurring event.
Monday March 9th, 12-1pm @ Hampshire House, Conference Room
Tuesday March 24th, 12-1pm @ W.E.B. Du Bois Library, Room 1920 (19th Floor)
This is a new group, if you’re interested in coordinating future meetings please email Camille (cgodboutchou@umass.edu) and Deborah (dplace@umass.edu)!
MTA LGBTQ+ Summit, March 7th at Worcester Tech High School
We Rise! Voices of Resistance & Intersectionality is the theme of the first-ever MTA LGBTQ+ Summit scheduled on Saturday, March 7, at Worcester Tech High School.
The LGBTQ+ Summit will open with NEA Executive Committee Member Bill Farmer and Keynote Speaker, Dr. Kevin Kumashiro. There will also be a Drag Lunch hosted by Mz. Clementine Kulayd. Participants can choose between different workshops and community resources will also be available. This is an opportunity to explore intersectionality, be inspired by our collective stories of resistance and support our students, educators, and community.
Contact the USA Office at usa@umass.edu if you’re considering attending or already registered. We have reimbursement funds available for travel expenses. The online registration deadline is March 3rd! On-site registration is available at the event.
🌍 2026 Virtual Forums hosted by MTA’s Climate Action Task Force
These sessions will cover a wide range of topics related to the intersection of labor and climate activism. They are intended to deepen our understanding of some of the ways MTA and its members can work with others to fight the worst impacts of global warming. These inspiring hour-long zoom sessions are free and open to all MTA members. Members can participate in any or all of these sessions.
NOTE: If you’re leading an event or giving a lecture and would like to share it with USA members in the newsletter, please reach out to the Communications Coordinator Deborah Place at dplace@umass.edu. Newsletters are published the last Monday of the month
How to Apply for Proximity Parking at UMass 🚗🅿️
If you require Proximity Parking not exceeding one semester, you must have the Proximity Parking form filled out by your doctor and submit it to Parking Services.
Employees who require permanent Proximity Parking must register with the Office for Accessible Workplace, Room 161, Whitmore Administration Building, tel. (413) 545-1842. The Office for Accessible Workplace reviews each case and, in conjunction with Parking Services, determines the appropriate parking assignment.
To request temporary Proximity Parking during the third trimester of pregnancy, please provide Parking Services with a doctor’s note including the expected due date.
Accessible Van Services🚙
Accessible Van Services (AVS), a department of UMass Transit Services, offers campus community members with mobility impairments free transportation including mobility device lift-equipped van service. Contact AVS at (413) 545-2086 or transit@umass.edu.
Source: Transportation Services Permits webpage under “Reserved Accessible Parking”
❄️ In case you missed it!❄️
USA email sent 2/12 – You Spoke, They Listened: GIC Commission Postpones Vote on Cuts
Massachusetts Teachers Association – Protecting the integrity of our schools and colleges & Supporting Immigrant Families and Students
This email is brought to you by the USA Communications Committee.
If you’re interested in joining, contributing, or have stories to share, please reach out to Deborah Place at dplace@umass.edu
