Representing Faculty Members and Librarians at UMass Boston Since 1976
Nuts And Bolts: Library Update + Ways to Get Involved
Nuts & Bolts
Faculty Staff Union
UMass Boston
Dear Colleagues,
New year, new look to Nuts & Bolts!
Just checking in with a few updates on where things stand with Healey Library, ways to get involved in FSU, and an important reminder of your rights as a union member.
Healey Library Update
On the same day we published The Pointabout the library’s health and safety hazards, we filed a grievance alleging the university isn’t meeting its contractual obligation to provide a safe workplace. The CSU, PSU, and GEO filed grievances as well to show how much this affects the whole campus. A hearing will be scheduled. We will keep you updated when we have more information.
At Faculty Council last week we also raised the issue of the routinely malfunctioning elevators, ancient HVAC system, and need for urgent pest mitigation in the library. The next day, Vice Chancellor Kathleen Kirleis released funds to replace the moth- and beetle-infested carpet in the library archives. It’s a start, but we’re not stopping until all the health and safety concerns are addressed.
Our next step: We are meeting with the Provost today to press for specifics on renovation timelines, and at October’s Faculty Council we’ll introduce a resolution urging the administration to act.
Three Ways to Get Involved in Our Union
Run for Ex-Comm – We have three vacant positions on our Executive Committee. One is for a pre-tenure, tenure-track colleague and two are for non-tenure track colleagues. The Executive Committee meets every two weeks during the semester and plays a very important role in representing faculty and librarians on campus. It is also a great way to do university service that directly benefits our colleagues. Please see the message from the Elections Committee for details.
Apply to be on our Bargaining Team – We are also in the process of forming our Core Bargaining Team for our 2027-2030 successor contract. Please see last week’s Nuts & Bolts to find out more.
Join the MTA’s Fair Wages Campaign – Last week, the FSU Executive Committee voted to endorse this state-wide higher education campaign to demand a 30% wage increase from Governor Healey for our next contract cycle. Cost of living adjustments to wages are set by the State House – we see it as the floor for raises while the administration sees it as the ceiling. That’s why we in the MTA are going directly to the Governor in our campaign for higher wages. Email us at fsu@umb.edu if you want to help us get organized.
Know Your Rights: Weingarten Edition
You have the right to a union representative present for any meeting with a supervisor that is of an investigatory nature or may have disciplinary repercussions. For more information, see the MTA’s Weingarten: The Right to Representation. If you would like someone from FSU to join you for such a meeting, all you need to do is reach out to us at fsu@umb.edu and we will be there for you.