WELCOME
Dear Colleague,I would like to welcome you to the University Staff Association (USA). The USA is the exclusive representative for the clerical and technical employees at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. The collective strength of all the clerical and technical employees plays an important role in protecting our rights on the job and improving our working conditions. The Collective Bargaining Agreement not only provides economic security, in terms of compensation and benefits, but also guarantees a grievance and arbitration procedure to resolve disputes.
The USA holds membership meetings nearly every month at 12 noon in the Campus Center and an annual meeting in February. We encourage all members to bring their concerns and ideas to Union meetings. Remember, there is no Union without you! Please contact the Union with any problems or questions you may discover concerning your employment. I can be reached at 545-4862 or on my cell at 413-427-3867. The USA office is located at 110 Hampshire House. Office hours are generally 8:00am – 2:30pm M-F(summer hours vary), and you may contact the USA Office Manager, Jane Litwin Taylor at 545-0165.
As you should have been informed at your new employee orientation , a condition of employment is the payment of either union dues or an agency service fee. Though agency fee payers have the same contractual rights as full dues-paying members, the benefits of becoming a full member in the USA are extensive. For a full explanation of the differences between Association Dues and Agency Fee, please refer to the enclosed sheet.
Your new member packet includes a number of documents. Please let us know if you didn't receive any of these items:
- Authorization for payroll deduction form and MTA membership form
- Sheet detailing the differences between Dues and Agency Fee
- Current Collective Bargaining Agreement (USA/UMass Contract)
- List of the current USA Executive Board
- MTA Discounts/Programs Booklet (for Dues Paying members only)
Authorization for Payroll Deduction
These forms must be filled out within 30 days of the beginning of your employment. Please note, you will be responsible for paying any back dues not covered by your deduction. Indicate whether you choose Association Dues ($17.17/bi-weekly) or Agency Fee ($10.29/bi-weekly). Please carefully review the sheet that explains the difference between paying Association Dues and Agency Fee before you indicate your choice on the Payroll Deduction Form. If you need additional information, please call the USA Office at 545-0165. If you work 20 hours or less, you pay half. Please return these forms to the USA Office in the enclosed envelope.
USA Executive Board
The USA is governed by an Executive Board. The Board establishes policies and procedures and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the union. All of the E-Board officers are biennially elected volunteers and welcome your input and participation. All of the currect officers can be reached at their address/phone number on the enclosed lst.
USA Stewards/District Contacts
The campus is divided into 10 districts and each district is represented by a Chief Steward and Steward. If you contact the Union Office with a problem, you may be referred to your Chief Steward and/or Steward who may help you if you have a grievance or need a resolution of some sort. Each district also has at least one district contact assigned to that area as well. Your district contact can be a source of information and will be in touch with members in their districts periodically.
USA Information
New members are automatically registered for our electronic newsletter – The Union Voice – which features information essential to you as a USA member and University employee. These communications are made via the union voice email list-serv that all USA unit employees are automatically signed up for upon being placed in the USA unit. You may also participate in the email discussion group (usa-unitmem) open to all full dues paying members. In addition, the most up-to-date information that affects our members is available on our website – www.university-staff-association.org.
MTA/NEA Information
Included in this packet is information from MTA and NEA, our state and national affiliate unions. MTA provides us with the legal resources we need in order to bargain our contract and to make sure the rights codified in our contract are adhered to. Both MTA and NEA play an important role in fighting attempts by our elected officials to cut funding for public higher education, and in turn, are instrumental in protecting our job security.
Again we welcome you to the University Staff Association, welcome your participation and look forward to working with you in the future.
In Solidarity,
Donna Johnson
USA President