Thanks to your efforts and that of union members across the University system, we have made significant progress toward a resolution of our contract.  This past Friday, University union leaders met with representatives of President Caret to discuss the UMass contracts.  As you should know, we have strongly argued that the University administration should make an offer to our members similar to those reached by other state worker unions.  While the President’s Office originally indicated that the University would not put a similar offer on the table, they changed their position at this meeting.  We should have no doubt that the letters, meetings and contacts between faculty/staff and the administration led to this change of heart.

The UMass administration is now prepared to put a two-year offer on the table with similar economic parameters as those agreed to by other state bargaining units.  The raises included are on par with the final two years of our current contract (3.5% per year).  Bargaining will also take place to allow other outstanding concerns of faculty and staff to be fully negotiated. 

Reaching this agreement and having it funded will require cooperation from the Governor’s office since we want the economic cost items of a new agreement funded by a supplemental budget. 

Union leaders requested that the Presidents’ office join us in discussing with the Governor’s office an assurance of support for the monetary aspects of a new contract and they agreed.  We fully expect the Governor to stand by his word when he assured us that, should an economic recovery take place in the state, he would take the necessary steps to assure we are made whole as much as possible for the recent concessions we made.  In addition, the University has a vital role in asserting the need for the Governor to fulfill his promise to maintain quality public higher education.  We expect to hear back about this discussion very soon.  We will keep you posted.

This represents significant movement on this issue, and is a great example of how the collective effort of UMass employees can influence our bargaining partners who initially refused to have any discussion.

Randy Phillis, MSP President

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