By the University Staff Association (USA) Communications Committee As the end of April approaches, USA's Bargaining Team has reflected on the discussions that led to where they are now in the bargaining cycle. They reflect on the important dates that have flown by: the start of the first assured parameter raise in January, the deadline to submit new proposals in December … [Read more...] about Contract Corner 2: USA Weighs Options for Next Steps in Bargaining
Bargaining
Bargaining Update 04-09-25
Where we are: In the bargaining session on 4/9, USA presented several counter proposals previously rejected by the management bargaining team, and asked for rationale on previously rejected proposals. During and after a 30 minute caucus, management returned to the table with several rejections and provided a counterproposal to the Farm Superintendent Re-Grade proposal. General … [Read more...] about Bargaining Update 04-09-25
Princeton Review Rally
By the University Staff Association (USA) Communications Committee Representatives from the Princeton Review came out to UMass Amherst on March 12th to decide if UMass Dining should be #1 on their list of “Best Campus Food” for an unprecedented ninth time. To celebrate the occasion, your colleagues in USA, PSU, and AFSCME gathered outside the Hampshire Dining Commons … [Read more...] about Princeton Review Rally
Bargaining Update 03-12-25 and 03-26-25
Where we are: On 3/26 we reached 3 tentative agreements! This is a first step towards coming to an agreement with management and there is still a lot of work to be done. A tentative agreement (TA) is reached when the two sides agree on changes made to an article. The TAs are only final if USA membership votes to accept the entire contract at the end of the bargaining … [Read more...] about Bargaining Update 03-12-25 and 03-26-25
Bargaining Update 02-26-2025
Where we are: USA's Bargaining Team is continuing to work on counters to the University's proposals. Since November, we have been waiting for counters from the University. Today they provided 4 counters and outright rejected 7 of our proposals without a counter. Executive Director of EH&S and Emergency Management Jeff Hescock joined the University's team today to discuss … [Read more...] about Bargaining Update 02-26-2025
