The University Staff Association (USA) is a collective bargaining agent authorized per Massachusetts General Law, chapter 150E. USA currently represents approximately 850 classified employees (clerical, technical and administrative) on the University of Massachusetts’ Amherst campus in the town of Amherst. UMass Amherst is the “flagship” campus of the university system, which maintains five separate campuses (plus various satellite and “extension” locations) across the state.
USA is affiliated with the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) with about 112,000 members and the National Education Association (NEA) with 3.2 million members. USA is governed by an Executive Committee and the General Board of 12 elected members; our Steward’s Council consists of 12 elected members. There are numerous committees within this structure serving a variety of purposes. Together all strive to ensure that the university is in compliance with all federal, state and local policies, rules and labor regulations.
General Membership meetings are open to all members, as is the USA Annual Meeting. Electronic voting has primarily replaced mail ballot elections used for governance from 2016 – present.