Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2012! Check out updated fact sheets on the Presidential candidates and more here: http://www.university-staff-association.org/just-the-facts-a-weekly-report/

Call for Nominations...

Calling for nominations for USA Stewards, MTA Annunal Meeting, and the NEA Representative Assembly.

Details here!

THIS WEEK IN REVIEW

Dear USA members,

     As the end of the year fast approaches, our brothers and sisters at University Health Services need our help. You can stand up for your coworkers at UHS by printing this petition and asking your colleagues, friends, family, students, and neighbors to sign it.  Once you have collected your signatures, send it or drop it off at the USA Office at 110 Hampshire House and we will make sure it gets to the right people. This is all part of an ASK WHY??? campaign that asks why!---

Why is the mandatory health fee of $654 a year paying for decreasing services? Why no pharmacy on campus, no laboratory services, no weekend care or after hours care? Call Jean Kim, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and ask WHY??? 413-545-2333, it's time we say NO to decreasing health care.  Ask your students to contact their parents and have them call too.  We may have some rallies and marches when the students return so please watch for the notices.

    In other news, there has been some movement on the classification work. Human Resources has given us a draft series of specifications for the Clerk series (Office Administration Specialists) and an Information Technology Specialist series.  Linda Hillenbrand (VP and Reclassification Officer), Jim Plaza (Grievance Officer), Bob Whalen (MTA), and I will be looking these over this week and meeting again in January to discuss them.  I will keep you posted on any further developments.

     And last but not least, the President's Office extended a bargaining offer to the 19 unions representing workers in the UMass system which would give us a two year contract (July 2012 to June 2014) including four 1.5% raises and increased health and welfare funds. The unions would give up Bunker Hill Day and Evacuation Day for two equivalent days and we will bargain over what those will look like as well as any other issues that the bargaining team decides are important this time around.  We have agreed to a tentative agreement on these points with a counter offer addressing language around funding and are awaiting their response.  It is important to note that this offer must clear the Governor's office before proceeding forward.  I will keep you posted as things progress.

     Finally, I want to wish all of you and your families a safe, healthy, happy holiday season.  I will be away on vacation but know that I am only a phone call away. Linda Hillenbrand, Jim Plaza, Bob Whalen, and Jane Litwin Taylor will be here on campus should you need them.  I will be checking in frequently and answering my email so please feel free to contact me if necessary.

 Happy Holidays,

Peace and solidarity to all,

Donna Johnson

President USA

413-427-3867