The Union of Faculty and Librarians at UMass Amherst
Campaigns
MSP at the 2017 March for Science in Boston
The MSP is an activist union. When problems come up on campus, we mobilize our members to speak up, and we work together to find solutions. We know that our strength is in our collective action and our strong membership. We fight for “bread-and-butter” contractual issues including salary and benefits, and we also work on social justice issues that are important to our members.
Faculty and librarians are committed to our students and the wider community, and we work to make UMass the best university it can be. To that end, we advocate for public higher education at the state and national level. The MSP is committed to:
Defending academic freedom
Protecting faculty governance and peer review
Standing in support of quality public education and accessible and affordable public higher education
Supporting our immigrant communities and protecting vulnerable groups
Upholding a planet-friendly, healthy environment for workers
Promoting equity and fairness on campus and beyond
Creating a transparent and democratic MTA union
If there is an issue that aligns with MSP's values that you would like to work on and think MSP should be a part of, contact the office to talk about starting a new campaign.
Contract Bargaining
2024-2027 Successor Contract Bargaining
We had our first bargaining session for our successor contract on February 7th, 2024. MSP's team, in alphabetical order, consists of: Kate Hudson (College of Education), Marc Liberatore (CICS), Lori Reardon (MSP Director), Sigrid Schmalzer (History/HFA), Katie D'Urso (MTA) and Jeremy Smith (Libraries). We introduced ourselves, agreed to ground rules, and presented our principles, including our commitments to fair compensation, equity, sustainability, high-quality and well-rounded education for our students, and more. In the ground rules, we have agreed to meet every two weeks and to submit all new proposals by March 27, after which we will continue to meet until we have a deal in place.
One of our goals is to strive to achieve a fair and reasonable settlement in a timely fashion and MSP will use the power of our strong union membership to bring our members to the table to speak on particular issues when needed.
We hope that your fall semester is off to a brisk start. We are now working under an expired contract, and your MSP negotiating team is back at the bargaining table. We are committed to concluding this process in time for the Governor’s budgeted January raises – but this will happen only if we push the administration to move faster than they were willing to last spring.
We need your help! We are mobilizing members: to testify, to witness, to write, to march, and to win our priorities! Click here and sign up to help
For a refresher on the MSP’s priorities and the challenges we face, read on:
Our proposals remain focused on our members’ highest priorities:
Across-the-board (ATB) raises to keep up with inflation: 8% was a good start, but we still need significant raises in the next three years just to stay even
Increase salary floors, especially for NTT faculty and librarians
Increase promotional increments, create new ranks to address salary compression at senior levels, and have PMYR added to base pay
Robust merit raises to cover the past seven years, beyond the cost-of-living raises provided by the Governor
Expand the equity raise pool to address documented inequities on campus
Childcare: expand access to child care and provide infant care on campus
Increase professional development opportunities, particularly for NTT lecturers
Guarantee university assistance with visas and immigration for faculty from other countries
Improved leaves: fix the sabbatical credit hole, increase NTT professional development fellowships, and make all MSP members eligible for parental leave
Climate justice and green transportation including incentives for occasional parking
Protect faculty rights in online teaching
We’ve done the research and our proposals are widely supported and doable. But reasoned arguments at the table won’t be enough to win most of these things -- we’ll need your help and we’ll be asking for it this semester!
As of our last bargaining session in the late spring, the administration has said “no” to almost every single one of our proposals. They have proposed across-the-board raises of less than 2% a year, lower than the Governor’s parameters, lower than the cost of living, and lower than the salary offers made to any other faculty and librarians union in the UMass system.
In addition to rejecting our proposals, the administration has presented the following take-backs:
Curtail the MSP grievance procedure
Extend the probationary period for NTT faculty to four years
Enable the administration to terminate employees on extended sick leave
Reduce the salary equity review process
Remove the right of faculty to decide if and when to teach online
Remove the minimum stipend for summer/winter teaching
Remove mandatory bargaining over policies that affect faculty (sabbatical and
Other leave policies, IP, conflict of interest, outside consulting, and additionalcompensation policies)
Impose new policies around conflict of interest and outside activities, with cumbersome requirements and restrictions targeting international faculty and off-campus collaborations.
Which of these issues matter to you? What can you do to help defend the rights and resources that faculty and librarians need? We look forward to working with you to win another excellent contract this year.
Kathleen Lugosch and Christine Turner on Bargaining[Watch on Vimeo]
Climate and Environmental Justice
UMass Amherst Environmental and Social Action Movement (ESAM)
MSP is engaged in climate justice work through a multi-union effort to address the climate crisis. As union members and workers we aim to leverage our power to bargain with the administration around climate justice proposals that include good union job opportunities. In Spring 2021, the multi-union group linked arms with students to form the UMass Amherst Environmental and Social Action Movement (ESAM).
Preserving a livable planet must be a central goal of the labor movement in the United States. As unions we can pressure employers, governments, and corporations to cut their carbon emissions on the rapid timeline that scientists say is necessary. We can also help ensure a “just transition” to a zero-carbon economy, meaning an equitable, fair process that does not cost any workers or community residents their health, environment, or economic well-being, but rather leads to material improvements for working people everywhere.
Students likewise play a vital role in this historic struggle. Youth climate organizers around the world have injected new energy into the climate movement in recent years. Here at UMass, students’ collective action has been indispensable in making our university a more environment-friendly institution.
Move Our Money. This campaign recently launched a petition urging the UMass system to cut ties with dirty banks, insurers, and asset managers. UMass banks with the 4 worst offenders and uses some very bad insurers and asset managers as well. In 2016 the UMass Trustees finally agreed – after a hard-fought campaign led by students who would go on to co-found the Sunrise Movement – to divest direct stock holdings from fossil fuels. In 2022 the UMass Amherst campus announced a plan to go zero-carbon by 2032 – again, following pressure from students and workers. However, the zero-carbon plan only includes Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, and UMass’s financed emissions – the emissions it enables with its money – remain enormous. Meanwhile the UMass Foundation (the entity that invests the $1.3 billion endowment) continues to invest in fossil fuels indirectly. These financial policies must change if UMass is to be an environmentally responsible institution.
Contact: Kevin Young, kayoung@umass.edu
Just, Sustainable Transportation.This campaign is focused on improving eco-friendly transit options to, from, and within the UMass Amherst campus. It has pushed for things like greater UMass financial support for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (which runs the buses in the region), more EV charging stations on campus, and more bicycle-friendly infrastructure. Members of this campaign have been active in the campus Parking and Transportation Advisory Board and in other arenas. (PAUSED Spring 2024)
Greater Community Solidarity. This campaign is dedicated to building a stronger and more meaningful collaboration between the UMass Amherst campus and surrounding communities, with a focus on working-class areas and communities of color in places like Holyoke and Springfield. It emerged from a concern that UMass climate initiatives were not involving grassroots organizations. Since December 2021, members of ESAM have been working with members of the Faculty Senate Public Engagement and Outreach Council and representatives from local organizations to identify ways that UMass can better support the work of grassroots community organizers. These discussions have resulted in a concrete proposal to fund: honoraria for grassroots organizers visiting UMass classes; tuition waivers for grassroots organizers taking UMass courses relevant to their work; and stipends for UMass students and their host organizations to support student internships. We are now working to identify a suitable unit on campus to host the initiative.
Contact: Sigrid Schmalzer, sigrid@history.umass.edu.
Voter Education.This campaign seeks to educate and mobilize members of the campus community around voting. Proposals have included the successful adjustment of the UMass calendar to cancel classes on Election Day. We hold voter registration events and are now working on reinstating a polling place on campus.
Contact: Isabel Rojas, irojas@umass.edu.
Green Labs. This campaign seeks to “green” campus laboratories by reducing waste, exploring options for environmentally friendly lab products and introducing/reinforcing recycling practices. Resource sharing and communications with lab managers and lab users aim to include practices such as adding composters/tea gardens outside lab buildings/offices, confirming the recycling of glass, nitrile gloves, plastic tubes, and the distribution of pipette tip sorters.
Contact: Lucca Kikuti Mancilio, lmancilio@umass.edu.
ESAM history @ a glance
11/14/21 - Community Forum on Climate Change. ESAM-hosted panel discussion on climate change, environmental justice and local initiatives for change featuring speakers who are union organizers, students, local activists and Native American leaders. You can view the recording.
6/22/21 - UMass Amherst all-union member meeting (174 in attendance), joined by undergraduate students. The focus was sharing PSU, USA and MSP bargaining proposals that support and expand on the campus’ drive to be carbon neutral by 2032. The union proposals address remote work, additional campus closure days, incentives to reduce driving, retrofitting and green renovations of campus buildings, and more efficient heating and cooling across campus.
4/29/21 - Presentation by Madeleine Charney to MSP members at General Assembly giving overview of the climate justice campaign
Video detailing UMass Amherst Carbon Mitigation plan overview
100% Membership (All In)
Over 90% of UMass Amherst full-time faculty and librarians are members of the MSP, but we want everyone to be a part of our union. The MTA is launching a statewide “All In” campaign, and the MSP is working to get 100% of faculty and librarians to join us. The goal of “All In” is to build the power we need to win the gains we believe are most important for our students and ourselves.
We need the support of everyone to reach out to our colleagues in colleges, departments, and programs all across campus. This campaign is a lot of fun – it involves social activities and getting to know your colleagues on other parts of campus. Contact the MSP office if you are willing to speak to your colleagues about the union and for more information about how how you can help with the campaign.
Funding for Public Education
MSP Members at Springfield City Hall
On a per-student basis, state support for public higher education in Massachusetts is fully one third less than it was in 2001. The impact of this chronic underfunding is felt by students, faculty and staff. The MSP is deeply committed to championing public higher education and fighting to secure more funding for our Universities.
MSP members have been active fighting for funding for public higher education through the Fund Our Future campaign and PHENOM.
Fund Our Future
The Fund Our Future initiative is an MTA led coalition effort to increase funding for public education. Through the Fund Our Future campaign, our members have worked with educators and students across the state to put pressure on our legislators by educating the public, testifying at advocacy days and attending demonstrations.
Testifying at the State House for Higher Education Advocacy Day
PHENOM
In 2007 MSP helped found PHENOM, the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts. PHENOM is a statewide advocacy coalition and grassroots network uniting students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members from all 29 campuses in the Massachusetts college and university system.
PHENOM is fighting to restore state funding for public higher education and to stand up for excellence for faculty, staff, and students alike. PHENOM works statewide, but also through individual campus councils, including a campus chapter at UMass Amherst.
Get Involved
We need your help in the fight for funding! If you want to join the Fund Our Future campaign or PHENOM contact Emily Steelhammer in the MSP office.
Racial Justice
We join you in grieving the murder of George Floyd and the many other Black victims of police brutality. At the same time, we are inspired to witness the mass mobilizations of peaceful demonstrators who are calling for profound and lasting change. MSP activists are participating actively in anti-racism work alongside K-12 teachers in the Massachusetts Teachers Association and with our sisters and brothers in the diverse unions represented in the Western Mass Area Labor Federation. [Please read MSP's full 6/5/2020 statement on racial justice that was sent to our membership.]
On 9/9/2020, The MSP organized and co-sponsored a panel, Labor and the Movement for Black Lives: Intersections of Economic and Racial Justice. This panel featured short presentations by MSP members and UMass Amherst scholars and local union members, followed by a discussion with the audience. Facilitated by Asheesh Siddique (Assistant Professor of History), panelists included: Dean Robinson (Professor of Political Science), Ethel Everett (Western Mass Area Labor Federation and SEIU member), Brian Sargent (Assistant Professor of Sociology), Youngmin Yi (Assistant Professor of Sociology), Toussaint Losier (Assistant Professor of African American Studies) and Kevin Young (Associate Professor of History).
Labor and the Movement for Black Lives: Intersections of Economic and Racial Justice[Watch on Vimeo]
The MSP was also a proud co-sponsor of “Perspectives on Covid-19 and Anti-Asian Bias and Xenophobia”. On 9/23/2020 Members of the University of Massachusetts and surrounding Amherst area community participated in a discussion and Q&A titled “Perspectives on Covid-19 and Anti-Asian Bias and Xenophobia”. Watch the two hour event, including the Q&A.
Please contact the MSP office if you are interested in participating in union-led anti-racism efforts.
Labor Solidarity and Coalition Work
Solidarity for UMass adjuncts
An injury to one is an injury to all. The labor movement is based on the idea that we are stronger together. When we stand up for others, it isn’t because we are kind or selfless, but just the opposite: collective action is in our own self-interest. We become stronger by lifting up others, and the next time we need help we will know where to turn. MSP is active in several coalitions with other unions and organizations around the state. We are a key part of at least four labor coalitions:
UMass Unions United (UUU)
UMass Unions United is a coalition of the labor unions mostly affiliated with the Massachusetts Teachers Association at UMass Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell. Recently the coalition has been planning actions to put pressure on both the Governor's office and the UMass President's office to settle good contracts.
The UMass Amherst Labor Coalition
On the Amherst campus, MSP is part of the Amherst chapter of the UMass Unions United. Our local Amherst Labor Coalition consists of all the unions on our campus, including: Professional Staff Union, University Staff Association, GEO/United Auto Workers 2322 and AFSCME 1776. The Coalition meets about once a month to discuss issues our members are facing and how we can support each other.
Western Massachusetts Area Labor Federation (WMALF)
The Western Massachusetts Area Labor Federation represents unions in the Pioneer Valley and Berkshires. They provide support for local unions and other organizations advocating for workers' rights. We plan to work with the WMALF and with the Massachusetts AFL-CIO on media and political/legislative advocacy work as well.
Massachusetts Jobs With Justice (JWJ)
Massachusetts Jobs with Justice is a coalition of community, faith, and labor groups in Massachusetts organizing working people and allies to fight for the rights of all workers: locally, nationally, and internationally. MSP is a Mass JWJ member organization.
Gathering signatures for the Raise Up Mass ballot initiatives for paid family medical leave and a $15 minimum wage
The MSP works with and supports many community groups and organizations doing important social, political and labor work. Some of the organizations we support are:
Climate Action Now of Western Massachusetts (CAN) - CAN is dedicated to building a powerful climate justice movement in our region. We see this movement as essential to preventing climate catastrophe.
Mass Divest - Mass Divest is a coalition demanding that the Massachusetts Pension Fund stop funding climate disruption by divesting from its holdings in fossil fuels.
Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance (MEJA) - MEJA consists of students, parents, educators, community and union members who stand in support of universal, free public education. MTA is a major supporter of MEJA.
Massachusetts Jobs With Justice (JWJ) - JWJ connects labor, community, student, and faith-based organizations and activists to mobilize around workplace and community social justice campaigns.
Informing voters about a ballot question negatively impacting public schoolsMassachusetts Safe Communities Coalition - The Safe Communities Act would protect the civil rights of all state residents by making sure our tax dollars are not used to deport immigrant families or to create a Muslim registry.
Pioneer Valley Workers Center (PVWC) - The PVWC builds power with low-wage and immigrant workers, especially food service and farm workers in Western Massachusetts. PVWC holds trainings for workers and activists, and organizes the Sanctuary in the Streets network for immigrants’ rights.
Raise Up Massachusetts (RUM) - Raise up Massachusetts is a grassroots coalition of community organizations, religious groups, and labor unions committed to building an economy that works for all of us. RUM is focusing on passing legislation providing paid leave, a $15 minimum wage and the Fair Share Amendment.
Science for the People (SftP): Western Massachusetts - Science for the People is an organization dedicated to building a social movement around progressive and radical perspectives on science and society. SftP is STEM workers, educators, and activists who believe that science can be a positive force for humanity and the planet.
US Labor Against the War (USLAW) - USLAW is the organized voice within the labor movement fighting for peace and new priorities, to secure human needs and to demilitarize U.S. foreign policy.
11/12 "Threats to International Engagement and Academic Freedom" with Dr. Yangyang Cheng
MSP Presents
Threats to Academic Freedom and International Engagement:
China and Beyond
A lecture and Q&A with Dr. Yangyang Cheng
Particle Physicist and Research Scholar at Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 4 p.m.
UMass Amherst Lederle Graduate Research Center A112
Across the country, faculty and students are facing impediments to international engagement, and sometimes at significant personal risk, arising from increasingly strict federal regulations. International faculty and students are especially vulnerable, as are Chinese Americans and others with ties to countries experiencing strained US relations.
The good news is that here at UMass Amherst we have strong unions with the power to enforce robust contracts.
This MSP event and the conversations it generates will help us mobilize the UMass community to win and sustain the strongest possible protections for our research and our professional lives.
Many thanks to our co-sponsors for their support (list will be continually updated).
Anthropology Department
Asian & Asian American Certificate Program
Astronomy Department
Communication Department
Department of Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences
Economics Department
Education Policy, Research, and Administration
English Department
Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series
History Department
Department of History of Art and Architecture
Labor Center
Management Department
Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences
Philosophy Department
Physics Department
Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences
School of Public Policy
Theater Department
UMass International Faculty and Staff Network
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Women, Gender, Sexualities Studies Department
Co-sponsors of events do not necessarily endorse the views expressed by the presenter(s), either at the events in question or in other venues. Rather, co-sponsorship represents support for the discussion of issues that are often complex and difficult. We are grateful to be able to bring this conversation to the UMass community thanks to co-sponsorships from the above list of departments and programs.
Over 90% of UMass Amherst full-time faculty and librarians are members of the MSP, but we want everyone to be a part of our union. The MTA is launching a statewide “All In” campaign, and the MSP is working to get 100% of faculty and librarians to join us. The goal of “All In” is to build the power we need to win the gains we believe are most important for our students and ourselves.
Threats to Academic Freedom and International Engagement: