From USA President Sheila Gilmour:
It was great to see so many members at our Fair Wages Now rally on Thursday, October 22nd. Leaders from most of the unions on campus took turns at the mic to explain how urgent this matter is, and what we need to do to win. Yes, we know that 30% is a big ask, but we’ve been underpaid for years while prices for basic necessities have skyrocketed. It’s been happening for so long that it’s going to take 30% to catch us up to where we should be and pull our members out of poverty.
If we’ve learned anything from the past, it’s that data and well-reasoned arguments do not win transformative contracts. Management and elected officials only act when they are compelled to, and our best leverage is people-power. That’s why it’s so important that you – yes, you PERSONALLY – make plans to get on the bus and come to the Statehouse with us on November 20th. The Governor will not be moved by a handful of union leaders, that much is clear, but she can’t ignore thousands of higher ed workers from all across the state showing up on Beacon Hill to demand her attention. I cannot stress this enough: we will only win what we fight for.
RSVP using the link below and select UMass Amherst (or whichever one is closest to you) as your bus location. I can provide union release time to USA members who are interested in attending, meaning you won’t need to use your own vacation or personal time to join us. Just email the USA Office at usa@umass.edu as soon as possible to get on the release time list!
We want your stories! What would fair wages mean to you?
As part of the Fair Wages Now! campaign, the Communications Committee would like to share member stories via social media and poster graphics. We have created a Google form to compile these stories and share your voice. These will be as anonymous as you prefer (all identifying questions in the form are optional). This form also has examples of what these posts/posters would look like.
Whether we commiserate together, fight together, hold strong together, or simply exist in our world alongside one another, you matter and your voice matters.
USA in the News!
MassLive: UMass Unions Call on Healey to answer rising cost of living with pay hike
WWLP-22 News (video): UMass Amherst workers rally for higher wages amid rising cost of living
Daily Hampshire Gazette: UMass staff, faculty rally for higher pay
Amherst Wire: UMass Workers Rally for Higher Pay as Part of Statewide Campaign
NEPM: UMass Amherst union workers demand living wages at campus rally
