Retiree Health Insurance Legislation

-Donna

ELECTION RESULTS

updated 3/25

     Exciting news! Governor Deval Patrick is coming to campus on March 28, 2013 to discuss his plans for raising revenues and funding public higher education.  The MTA was instrumental in getting the Governor to come to campus so we can hear what he has to say.  Please hold this date! The event will be from 12-1pm and pizza will be served. There will be an opportunity for the Presidents to meet with the Governor to discuss the health insurance for retirees and if I am still your President, I will be there and will be quite vocal on behalf of our entire membership. 

At the beginning of the rally there will be an opportunity for you to write a letter to your legislator and to also send in questions for Governor Patrick.  With the increase of funding to public higher education, several things could be accomplished. One would be enough funding to hire more staff and another would be no more tuition and fee increases, and hopefully more money for cost of living adjustments.  Please plan on coming to the rally to hear what the Governor has to say.

If you haven't already sent an email or made a phone call to your Legislators about the Retiree Health Care, please take a moment to let them hear from you about this benefit take back.

 Also, today is the last day to submit your USA ballot. So if you haven't voted and want to, please fill out your green ballot and walk it over to 110 Hampshire House to make sure it gets counted.  If you don't have a ballot, please call Dave Litterer, USA Election Board Chair, at 5-4503.

Remember the Union begins with "U"

In solidarity,

Donna Johnson

President

       Election time is upon us and I hope everyone will take the time to open his/her green ballot and vote.  I wanted to take a moment and update you all on a few issues:

• Bullying- we are moving forward and it looks like we will have a policy in place soon, we are looking at the Fall right now for trainings and holding an all day symposium- more news as it becomes available
• No smoking policy- we are bargaining with the University over how this will be implemented and what the consequences will be for anyone caught smoking.  We are also working on cessation product availability and counseling for anyone who wishes to kick the habit
• Governor Patrick's proposals to cut our retirement health insurance benefits- Both the membership meeting and the executive board have taken motions to oppose this bill.  I am working on a letter to the Governor which I will share with all of you once it is finished and I am working on a call to action plan so that all of you can help by emailing your legislators.  That will be out soon so watch your email for more information.

There are other issues we are working on but for now this is what I have to report.  If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me as my door is always open for the membership.  Spring is coming so stay warm and dry til them...

In solidarity,

Donna Johnson

President USA

545-4862

413-427-3867

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE | BEACON HILL, BOSTON
RALLY IN GARDNER AUDITORIUM AT 10 AM
MEET YOUR LEGISLATORS AFTER THE RALLY

Click here for the flyer!

TIME:    12:00 noon – 1:00 pm

PLACE: Campus Center Room 162-75

Click here for the Flyer!

    Many of you wrote and complained about the university not having a delay of opening this morning and the last storm in late December.  The Association has requested some information about the policies surrounding this issue but in the interim I have sent a memo to the university outlining our concerns regarding the health and safety of our members.  The response we received is that if anyone feels that the road conditions are unsafe then you can call in and use your time.  If your supervisor gives you any grief about this, you need to contact the union right away.  Once we meet and discuss this further with the university, I will give you a further update. Please be smart about it and not venture out if your town doesn't plow or sand in a timely manner.  Also, if you arrive at work and the conditions are slippery, please notify Nick Marshall's office (Labor Relations) at 545-2736 and report the location so they can let the Physical Plant know.   

In solidarity,

Donna Johnson

President USA

This spring, our partnership with Workplace Education is bringing new computer classes and services to USA members—we hope that you will take advantage of these offerings, tailored especially for you.

LMWEP is celebrating 25 years of Workplace Education and raising the profile of workers, unions, and workplace education. With Workplace Education, it’s all about working better together. We hope you’ll take advantage of this great benefit!

     2012 is almost gone and I wanted to take a moment to wish you and yours a Happy Holiday Season and a healthy, Happy New Year.  We have had a decent year here at UMass and I am looking forward to representing and working with you all in 2013.  Just a reminder that we have two holidays coming up on December 28th and December 31st. These replace Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day which were the two Suffolk County holidays that expired and we bargained these two days to replace them.  I hope this gives everyone a nice break from work and an opportunity to spend time with family. 

In addition to the COLA increases we already received this year, we will also be receiving an additional 1  1/2% effective the first pay period in January 2013.  On another note, the bullying campaign is moving along and it appears the Chancellor wants to move things forward in 2013, so I am very hopeful that we will have some things in place early in 2013.  The classification project is moving very slowly and that is because we can't agree on what the Clerk series job descriptions should look like.  We are committed to getting job descriptions that are reflective of the work we do.  

I look forward to 2013 and if I am lucky enough to be re-elected as your President, then I will continue to work with the Executive Board and leaders in USA to make sure your rights are protected.  I will be away on vacation but will be checking my email and phone so please feel free to contact me.  While I am away our Vice-President Linda Hillenbrand and Grievance Officer, Jim Plaza will be here to make sure all is well.  Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of you.

In solidarity,

Donna Johnson

President, USA

413-427-3867