🌷 Monday, June 29th, 2026 🌻
Kronos Listening Session Updates
On Wednesday June 17th, several elected USA leaders joined with a contingent of interested rank-and-file USA members as they again met with management to discuss their proposed implementation of Kronos timekeeping and location tracking software. Sadly, the information provided only raised more serious concerns that would seriously erode trust in leadership on campus.
When it was mentioned that a large number of USA members do NOT work an 8 to 4 schedule and was asked about how holidays, campus closures, and flexible work arrangements would be impacted by Kronos, management either dodged the question, provided confusing answers, or stated that they just didn’t know (despite intending to implement before the Fall semester).
When pressed on data privacy (citing the 2021 data breach of Kronos’s parent company UKG which compromised the names, Social Security numbers, demographic information, salary information, addresses, and the financial account information of over 2,000 individuals), Jeremy Forgue from the management team replied to the effect of, “if it could happen anywhere the University is storing our data, then why does it matter if there is one more source for it to be stolen?”
Those times when you stay ten minutes late to help a student, or to finish a critical task in your department? Management wouldn’t say that you wouldn’t be disciplined for unauthorized overtime.
All this to say: none of this is designed to help you, your coworkers, your supervisors, or even HR. And yet, they remain committed to forcing this on you and your coworkers — and are willing to ignore your contract to do it.
Management thinks this is a done deal, but THIS IS FAR FROM OVER.
planning our next steps in a strategy meeting.
Over 450 USA members signed the petition!
In potentially record-setting numbers for USA, a firm majority (over 50%) of your USA coworkers have signed the petition demanding that management stop violating our contract.
But “just good enough,” well, isn’t enough. Building leverage and power in this and other upcoming fights requires decisive wins – and that means your coworkers still need your help. If you haven’t already, the best time to sign is right now! Click the link below to sign the petition to show management that USA members overwhelmingly reject further implementation of the time-keeping and location-tracking software Kronos!
If you’ve signed the petition, the best thing to do now is to keep talking to your coworkers about the potential headaches of this software, the greater threat of your data being stolen, and what else they stand to lose by not joining the fight.
USA and PSU Welcome The Next Generation of Stewards
With the Spring semester officially wrapped up, the current and incoming stewards of USA and our sibling union, the Professional Staff Union (PSU), gathered on campus to learn about their responsibilities as stewards.
Whether serving as a steward for decades, or just learning what a steward’s role and responsibilities are, this training event was designed BY stewards FOR stewards to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to represent you and your coworkers in investigatory meetings, to identify contract violations, and help you to advocate for your own needs as a UMass employee.
Stewards also develop the leadership and communication skills necessary to step into larger roles within union leadership. The majority of current USA Executive Board members either started as or are currently serving as stewards!
What IS a Union Steward?
Union stewards are the first line of defense when it comes to protecting your rights as a public employee. If you ever have a workplace issue, or even a question about your union contract, a steward is always a phone call or email away.
USA Seeking Union Support Staff!
We are excited to announce that the University Staff Association is going to begin the process of onboarding a new part-time Union Support Assistant! This is a position we’ve had in the past (under a few different titles) and, knowing how busy we all are and how busy we’re going to get as we come closer to bargaining, it’s a position we can no longer afford not to fill.
If you know someone who is looking to gain practical experience in support of an emerging labor union, send them our way!
“We talk a lot about opening doors for members to be involved in their union. The MTA Summer Conference was my first real open door, and stepping through it has inspired me to step into union organizing at every opportunity. Whether it’s a big movement or a single worker issue in one worksite, there are ways to engage with your own power as a worker.”
Interested in publishing a member essay on the USA website? Please reach out to Communications Coordinator Deborah Place!
Did you enjoy the member essay Organizing the Ivory Tower?
The book mentioned in the essay, Unionizing the Ivory Tower, is available through UMass Libby as an ebook.
Unionizing the Ivory Tower chronicles how a thousand low-paid custodians, cooks, and gardeners succeeded in organizing a union at Cornell University.
✨ UPCOMING EVENTS ✨
MTA 2026 Summer Conference Registration is Now Open!
The MTA is coming to UMass Amherst for the 2026 Summer Conference July 26th-29th! If you’re curious about attending a union conference, the Summer Conference is a great place to start since it’s MTA’s largest conference, takes places right here at UMass Amherst, AND has a whole day of programming dedicated to Higher Ed (July 27th)!
The USA Office can provide release time to cover your workday while you attend the conference! Get in touch with usa@umass.edu for more information. Make sure to register as Higher Ed Classified staff to receive free meals and board (if needed) by July 14th!
MTA Bargaining Certificate Do you want to know how bargaining works and how unions win transformative contracts? The MTA Bargaining Certificate program will give you the foundational knowledge to become an effective negotiator while also giving you the tools to democratize your union and build worker power. For example, the Silent Bargaining Representative program from last year’s bargaining was inspired by the MTA Bargaining Certificate trainings! The certificate can be completed by attending sessions at MTA conferences and online. Read more here!
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 July 14th, 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).
Western Mass Fightback School #3: Rent Control
The Western MA Fightback School is bringing together labor unions and community organizations on July 18th to make plans for how we can start building working class power in Western MA.
We will begin building a collective campaign for affordability and rent control that will help us grow solidarity across our unions and community organizations.
This event is open to members of labor unions and community organizations in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties. Please use this link to register for the event:
When: Saturday, July 18th
Time: 10am to 1pm
Where: UMass Springfield (Tower Square Building, 2nd Floor, 1500 Main St, Springfield, MA 01115)
Retaliation Against One Is Retaliation Against All
Retaliation for concerted union activity is illegal in Massachusetts. When you exercise your rights under the law, you do so knowing that 1. you are protected under established law, and 2. you have the backing of your union in doing so. And yet, retaliation for legally protected union activity isn’t just starting to show up in USA: we’re starting to see brazen examples in local unions across the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
Just weeks after settling their first post-state receivership labor contract, the administration of the Holyoke Public Schools wanted their pound of flesh, and took it by illegally firing HTA member Bob Williams. At the end of the semester, HPS handed Bob a non-renewal notice that doesn’t hold up to scrutiny, despite a spotless disciplinary record and proficient employee evaluations.
It sends a horrible message to education workers: stand up for what you believe in, and we will show you the door. It is unacceptable.
As union siblings, it’s on all of us to send a strong message: that they cannot violate the law quietly, that retaliation will not go unnoticed, and that we will respond accordingly.
“But HOW does this affect us at UMass Amherst?” you may ask.
Good question! Firstly, Bob (and several other HPS educators) were front and center at last year’s summer rally in our own fight for a contract. By being there for us, we ALL built the power necessary to push for our needs. In pushing back for our union siblings, we are ALL collectively growing stronger. And we send a clear message that the local unions in Western Mass will use all means necessary against retaliation for protected concerted union activity.
It’s not just right, it’s how we all stand a chance in pushing for the schools and contracts that you deserve
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
