🌧️Monday, April 27, 2026☔
Vigil for Emma MacDonald
As we process the death of our co-worker and union sibling Emma MacDonald, the campus labor unions will be holding a vigil for UMass workers and community members to gather together. This vigil will begin at 2:30pm at the Flagstone Terrace (shortly after the annual UMass Amherst Founder’s Day event). We will hold space for a brief community activity and say a few words. Resources from local domestic violence prevention organizations will be available. Any UMass employee, student, or other member of the community is welcome to join.
When: Wednesday, April 29th, @ 2:30pm
Where: Flagstone Terrace adjacent to the Hotel UMass lobby, on the northern side of the Campus Center. The terrace can be accessed by taking an elevator to the 3rd floor, and exiting the building out of the front entrance.
Why: The intent of this vigil is to offer a publicly available space for university workers and other community members to mourn and reflect on the loss of one of our own. We are aware the administration has also recently announced a vigil to be held May 5, which will be an additional opportunity for community members to connect–information about that event can be found here. This union-organized event will continue as planned tomorrow.
12-1pm: May Day Gathering, Metawampe Lawn (near Campus Pond and ILC)
- As a part of the all-day May Day programming with Sunrise Movement Amherst and other student groups, USA and PSU will have a table with union merch and fliers, blankets and chairs for members to socialize, and folks from committees to discuss how to best plug into union work. There will also be a group craft activity as a show of solidarity.
11-12pm: Privatization Teach-In with Vice President Kyle Chambers, Metawampe Lawn
- Recognition is the first step to solving any problem, and privatization is a problem that affects you, your University, and your community. Join students, staff, faculty, and other community members for a discussion on how YOU can recognize privatization in your workplace or community, and how UMass students and unions are better prepared than ever to fight back against it.
4:30-6:30pm: Western Mass May Day 2026, Heritage State Park, Holyoke, MA
- Are you ready for May Day? March with the Western Mass Area Labor Federation, Mass Teachers Association, Springfield No One Leaves, Jobs with Justice and more in Holyoke on May 1st! RSVP today: https://www.mobilize.us/mayday/event/930600/
Hampshire College is closing, and 250 staff and faculty are facing sudden job loss without severance pay. This fund provides direct financial assistance for immediate needs such as housing, food, healthcare, and other essential expenses. Funds raised here will be distributed to affected workers based on need. This initiative is being organized by Hampshire staff, faculty, alumni, and community members. It is independent, fast-moving, and focused on rapidly providing support to people. If you are able, please give!
Last Chance! GIC Open Enrollment deadline is Friday, May 1st!
Eligible Massachusetts employees and retirees can review GIC benefit options and enroll in/update coverage for benefits effective July 1st, 2026. During open enrollment, please:
- Review the 2026–2027 GIC Benefit Decision Guide for plan and premium information. Outside of open enrollment, GIC health insurance plans can only be changed if you move out of your plan’s network area.
- Confirm that your doctors and hospitals remain in network and review provider and hospital tiers. Visit your health insurance plan’s website for provider information; hospital tier information is available on the GIC Hospital List.
- Submit health insurance changes through the MyGICLink portal by 5:00 p.m. on May 1, 2026.
- Enroll or re-enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) online with Ameriflex by midnight on May 1, 2026.
- Health Care Spending Account (HCSA): Contribute up to $3,400 pre-tax to pay for eligible health care expenses, including co-pays, deductibles, medically necessary services not covered by insurance, and many over-the-counter items.
- Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP): If you pay for dependent care so you can work, such as care for a child under age 13 or a qualifying dependent adult, you may contribute up to $7,500 pre-tax ($3,750 if married filing separately).
Expenses for the 2026–2027 FSA plan year must be incurred by September 15, 2027, or your last day of employment, whichever comes first. Unused funds are forfeited, and election amounts cannot be changed midyear without a qualifying event.
Learn more in the 2026–2027 GIC Benefit Decision Guide, on the UMass Amherst FSA website, or the GIC FSA website.
Questions? Contact:
- Health and Safety Coordinator Casey Krone
- GIC: 617-727-2310
- Ameriflex
- UMass Human Resources AskHR
- In person at the UMass Amherst Human Resources Employee Service Center
Dental Insurance Information:
- You may enroll or update covered family members in your MTA Dental Plan at any time. Contact UMass Human Resources for assistance.
Source: UMass Amherst Human Resources
Schools Drop ICE aims to get hundreds of colleges to drop their contracts with ICE’s key corporate enablers: Enterprise, Hilton, Flock Safety, ICE Air Carriers, and Target.
UMass contracts with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the primary provider of ICE’s vehicles. Sign the petition link below to tell UMass to end that relationship with ICE enablers and DROP ICE by May 1st!
Commencement Ambassador Information for USA Members
USA members volunteering to be Commencement Ambassadors can choose to receive compensation time OR overtime pay (1.5x normal pay). There are four volunteer opportunities for you to earn a little extra in your paycheck:
- Commencement Fair: Wednesday, May 6, 10 a.m – 4 p.m.
- Doctoral Graduates: Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m.
- Master’s and Education Specialists: Friday, May 15, 9:00 a.m.
- Undergraduate Students: Friday, May 15, 5:00 p.m.
You start earning compensation time or overtime pay after you have worked over 40 hours for the week. Since USA members typically work 37.5 hours a week, you must volunteer for 2.5 hours at regular pay before comp time or overtime start accruing.
If you use sick time during the week you are volunteering, it does not count towards your total weekly hours for overtime. If you are volunteering on Friday May 15, the 7.5 hours on the campus closure day (May 15) will count towards that total weekly hours for overtime.
There will be two required trainings for ambassadors on May 4 and May 13. Please see the email on March 9 from UMass Amherst Commencement for more information.
Have You Heard Of The Haymarket Affair?
“Now is the chance to strike for the existence of the oppressed classes. The oppressors want us to be content.” – August Spies, speech held at Haymarket Square, May 4, 1886
The Haymarket Affair took place in Chicago on May 4, 1886, during a protest for an eight-hour workday. The rally was peaceful until someone threw a bomb at police who were trying to break up the crowd, causing deaths and injuries among both police and civilians. Eight anarchists were arrested and found guilty of conspiracy, even though only two were at the scene, and none were proven to have thrown the bomb. Some were sentenced to death, while others had their sentences reduced or died by suicide. Years later, the remaining defendants were pardoned because people questioned whether the trial had been fair. The Haymarket Affair was a pivotal point in labor’s fight for a fair workday, and the American Federation of Labor chose May 1st to commemorate this event.
Union Crafting Circle hosted by crafty USA members!
Bring your projects and handiwork for an hour of crafting and socializing! All UMass community members are welcome – not just USA members!
Tuesday May 5th, 12-1pm @ W.E.B. Du Bois Library, Room 1920 (19th Floor)
Monday May 18th, 12-1pm @ W.E.B. Du Bois Library, Room 1920 (19th Floor)
If you’re interested in helping coordinate events or want to be added to the soon-to-be created email list, please email Camille (cgodboutchou@umass.edu) and Deborah (dplace@umass.edu).
🌧️ In case you missed it! ☔
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
