Union Dictionary

To build a more inclusive union, we must start with a shared vocabulary. Unionism comes with loads of new acronyms and terms to understand, and it can be intimidating to ask what a word or acronym means. We hope this page helps get you up to speed on the most common union terms.

If you have one to add to this list, please submit them to the USA office.

A

AFSCME – American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The UMass Amherst local is 1776, and includes Skilled Trades, Grounds, Custodial, Housing, Food Services, and Security.

AFSCME Unit B – The 03 (temporary) employee unit of AFSCME almost exclusively employed by Auxiliary Services.

Appointing Authority – In our contract, the administration of the University of Massachusetts.

Association – In our contract, the University Staff Association/Massachusetts Teachers Association.

B

Bargaining – A process by which a group of union workers negotiate with their employer to establish a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), or contract.

Board – The Board of Trustees of the University of Massachusetts.

C

Caucus – A break or separate session where the union or management temporarily steps aside to discuss, strategize, or coordinate their approach on specific issues. In bargaining, a caucus allows our Bargaining team to reach internal consensus or clarify positions before rejoining the meeting with Management. In a disciplinary or investigative hearing, a caucus may be used to de-escalate an intense conversation or confer over new information that may arise during proceedings.

Chief Executive Officer of the Campus (CEO) – In our contract, the Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, or designee.

Classified Staff – Positions covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act are generally “Classified.” Positions are classified based on matching duties and responsibilities with specifications contained in state titles and regulated under Massachusetts General Laws. Pay level of each position depends on the grade level assigned to the appropriate title. All USA staff are considered classified, along with all AFSCME and PSU Unit B staff.

Constitution – A guiding document that outlines how union members interact with their union. Includes information about membership, the general board, committees, elections and more.

Contract – A guiding document that outlines how the union interacts with management. Includes information about compensation, leave, out of title work, anti-discrimination, and more. Also known as a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

D

Debrief – A structured and critical review and discussion that takes place soon after a meeting, action, or event. Ask not only what went well, but what can be improved upon in future planning. In bargaining, SBR input is prioritized to reflect on what occurred, analyze outcomes, and share insights about successes, challenges, and areas for improvement.

Department of Labor Relations (DLR) – the governing body responsible for promoting stable, productive and cooperative relationships between public employers and their represented employees by administering and enforcing the Commonwealth’s collective bargaining laws. At UMass, we work closely with the Labor Relations department on nearly every union issue.

Dues – A payment every paycheck made by dues-paying members to contribute to the union’s operations and initiatives, including our partnerships with the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) and the National Education Association (NEA).

F

FLSA – Fair Labor Standards Act, a division of the federal Department of Labor which establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards affecting employees in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments.

G

GEO – Graduate Employee Organization/United Auto Workers Local 2322 (UAW 2322), representing Research Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Teaching Associates, Project Assistants, Interns, Trainees, Assistant Residence Directors, and Working Fellows

Grievance – A formal complaint you can file if you believe your employer has violated your rights under state and federal law, the USA contract, or UMass policies.

Ground Rules – In bargaining, a set of shared rules to be followed during the bargaining cycle. These rules are established at the beginning of the cycle, but can be changed if both sides agree.

I

Impact Bargaining – A process where unions request to negotiate the effects of management decisions on employees outside of the contract bargaining cycle.

J

Just Cause – A contract stipulation that the employer must have a valid reason before they discipline an employee.

L

Loudermill Hearing – Named after the Supreme Court case Cleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill, a Loudermill Hearing is a pre-disciplinary meeting for a public employee facing disciplinary action. It is every union member’s right to have union representation at a Loudermill.

M

Mediation – When parties to a collective bargaining contract have reached impasse in negotiations or need assistance in negotiating a contract, the Department of Labor Relations can step in to assist through mediation. See Chapter 150E Section 9 for more information.

Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) – A formal document that outlines the terms and details of an agreement between two or more parties.

Multi-Union Momentum (MUM) – MUM is a space to build solidarity with other union leaders from UMass Amherst, including faculty and staff, and operates much like UUU on a smaller, more local scale. This group shares news and information that affects our members’ working conditions and strategizes coordinated responses to issues at UMass Amherst.

P

Parameters – Wage increases determined by the Governor’s office before the next bargaining cycle for state employees under a collective bargaining agreement. Once the union and management reach a tentative agreement and the union membership ratifies it, the legislature then votes to approve any budget increases. Also known as Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA).

R

Reclassification – A process in our contract that allows members to appeal their job classification if they believe they are doing a substantial amount of higher grade work.

S

Sick Leave Bank (SLB) – A bank of time donated by UMass employees which provides 100% income replacement if you need to be out of work and you don’t have enough of your own accrued time. SLB time can be used for your own illness or injury, to care for a family member, or for parental leave, with eligibility criteria and term-length limitations.

Side letter – A document that is ancillary to another contract, often used to clarify, add detail, or contradict terms of the main agreement.

Silent Bargaining Representative (SBR) – A union member not on the appointed bargaining team, who is able to witness the bargaining session and voice their opinions during caucus.

Steward – A member of the Stewards Council typically elected by membership who are available to answer contract questions or help navigate workplace issues for members in their district.

T

Tentative Agreement (TA) – An agreement on an individual proposal while the larger bargaining process continues.

U

UMass Unions United (UUU) – UUU is a space to build solidarity with union leaders from the other UMass campuses, including faculty and staff. This group shares news and information that affects our members’ working conditions and strategizes coordinated responses to issues on our campuses.

Unit Work – The type of work performed substantially by persons in the titles listed in Appendix D, but such work currently performed by persons in other units or in non-unit positions shall not be prohibited. See State Specifications to see all USA titles.

UUU Classified Coalition – The Classified Coalition grew out of UUU and is comprised of the classified staff locals, which includes clerical and technical workers (like USA members), maintenance and trades workers, and maintenance supervisors. Classified staff work in a wide variety of roles and environments, but we share similar pay scales and benefits that differ from faculty and professional staff.  

W

Weingarten Rights – The legal right to have a union representative such as a steward present during investigatory or pre-disciplinary interviews with management.

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Submit your questions!

Have a question about a union term not defined above? Unsure of what a union acronym, word, or phrase means?
Submit them to the USA office. We will respond and add them to this page!