Representing Faculty Members and Librarians at UMass Boston Since 1976
Nuts & Bolts: Weekly Updates from Our Union
Nuts & Bolts
Faculty Staff Union
UMass Boston
Endorse the Fair Wages Campaign!
The Massachusetts Teachers Association has launched the Fair Wages Now! Campaign to increase teacher wages across the board and bring salaries in line with other states, taking into consideration the high cost of living in Massachusetts. To do this, we are demanding 10% raises for each year in our upcoming contract. Contract negotiations begin next semester, and the governor sets the ceiling for our raises, so NOW is the time to pressure the governor to get the raises that we deserve. This is an escalating campaign, and you will continue to hear more about it during the semester. Please show solidarity with your coworkers and endorse the campaign by VOTING YES! on our ballot question in the special election (Oct. 9-Oct. 16th). Upcoming events include a Oct. 21st campus rally and Nov. 20th march on the state house. Interested in being more involved? Contact fsu@umb.edu.
MTA Peer Mentoring Program
Now in its third year, the Retired Member New Educator of Color Mentoring Program Work Group is looking for faculty who may be interested in participating. The Mentoring Program is designed to provide a space for our new educators of color to receive support and guidance from a peer who has made it through their career to retirement with the added benefit of having a mentor not currently in their school system or college or university. Having such a resource available can make a difference for a mentee as they navigate their employer and union. If you would like to learn more about the Program, do not hesitate to contact us at FSU or at mtamentoring@massteacher.org.
A Few More Updates
Deadline this Friday: FSU has $50,000 in funds to distribute to faculty and librarians to support anti-racism initiatives. Learn more here about how to apply.
Thank you, Faculty Council! The FC passed a resolution urging the administration to expeditiously attend to the ongoing health and safety concerns in Healey Library. We here at FSU very much appreciate the opportunity to work with the campus leaders on Council on all matters of mutual interest.
The FSU Executive Committee met last week and selected the members of our Core Bargaining Team. The members are:
María Carvajal-Regidor, Assistant Professor, English
Jessica Holden, Associate University Archivist for Research Services
Harry Konstantinidis, Associate Professor, Economics
Mérédith Laferte-Contu, Assistant Professor, Philosophy
Glover Martin, Senior Lecturer, Biology
Jared Poole, Assistant Professor, Management
Jason Rodriquez, Professor, Sociology
Lorenzo Nencioli, Senior Staff Member, FSU
Katie D’Urso, MTA Field Representative
If you have questions about your contract rights or think they may have been violated, reach out to us at fsu@umb.edu. Our Member Advocacy and Grievance Team will assess your situation and determine what the union can do to help you. In many cases we can resolve issues through dialogue without a formal grievance process.
The next FSU Executive Committee Meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct 13, from 2-3:30 in CC 1-1100. Dues-paying members are welcome to attend.