SHARE Member Meeting Notes August to October 2023

Hi Everyone, hope you're having a great Fall! Here are the member meeting notes from the last few months.

If you have any questions, please reach out!

August

  1. SHARE merit bonuses:

    We talked with members about their annual performance evaluations and followed up with Labor Relations/HR regarding departments with delays.

  2. Update on the parking discussion with UMass Chan

  3. Upcoming Town Hall

  4. Any other topics you want to discuss

September

  1. Parking: This meeting was primarily focused on the conversations between SHARE and UMass Chan about the increases in parking costs. Please see the links below for more details:

  2. Any other topics you want to discuss:

    • Discussed the Animal Medicine Reclassification request

    • Why is Jameal a Yankees fan???

October

  1. Rep and Executive Board Elections:

    • Nomination notice coming soon.

    • Participation makes our union stronger!

  2. Ongoing pay structure discussion:

    • As established in our contract

  3. Any other topics you want to discuss:

    • Members talked about DC1 job classification changes and what the potential effects could be

    • Probationary raises: how they work and what to do if you didn’t get yours.

    • Open positions in D.E.S.

    • We talked about the AFSCME membership cards that our members received this past week, and how to find out about benefit options. If you’re a SHARE member, you’re an AFSCME member.

    • I’d like to work remotely, what do I do?

    • Animal Medicine pay inequities

Central Massachusetts Labor Day Scholarship Award Winner

Each year the Central Massachusetts AFL-CIO presents select union members’ children and/or grandchildren with scholarships from different organizations that support local unions. This year, one of our own SHARE members at UMass Chan Medical School, Irene Mariano, applied for the scholarship for her son Noah, who will be attending WPI this fall. Noah won a $1000.00 scholarship which was presented to him by the AFL-CIO leadership, along with many Massachusetts politicians. On behalf of the entire SHARE Union, congratulations to Noah and Irene on receiving this award, and best wishes to Noah with his studies at WPI!

From left to right: Worcester Mayor Joe Petty, The Mariano Family, and SHARE Organizer Jameal Jackson

2023 MERIT BONUSES

We hope that you are enjoying your summer! As you may know Merit Bonuses were due in paychecks 7/21 for those who qualify (had a rating of Exceeds or Outstanding on your performance evaluation). Some SHARE members reported that they did not receive their bonus. We compiled a list of members that were missing the bonus and informed Labor Relations. Apparently, none of the Merit Bonuses were processed on schedule.

Human Resources has now sent a list to Payroll of SHARE members who should receive Merit Bonuses. They hope that they will be processed in time for the next paycheck, but the timing has not yet been confirmed. If your name is on that list, then we sent you an email about it. There are also some evaluations which have not yet been submitted, and Human Resources is following up with those managers.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

SHARE Member Meeting Notes July 19, 2023

On Wednesday, July 19th, SHARE held back-to-back half-hour meetings for members, at 12:00, 12:30, and 1:00. People dropped in on their lunch break. For those who were not able to attend, below are the agenda topics (numbered) and some of the things that came up in discussion (the bullets). Please let us know if you have any questions.

1. Raises:

  • The annual SHARE raise of .75 cents should have been reflected in this week’s paycheck. The raise is .75 cents an hour for those who completed their probationary period by July 2nd.

  • For those who were in their probationary period on July 2nd you will receive a raise of 1.5% once your probationary period is completed.

  • Those who received “exceeds” or “outstanding” on their annual performance review, are entitled to a bonus. If you didn’t receive your bonus this last paycheck, please let us know and we will follow up.

2. Parking:

  • This spring UMass Chan announced parking increases.

  • The SHARE contract allows for the union to discuss these changes with the Medical School, and propose an alternative.

  • SHARE has met with Labor Relations and Operational Management to ask questions.

  • SHARE made a proposal to have a sliding scale for parking costs, based on employee’s income. We pointed out that SHARE members are paid less than many other people at UMass Chan and that these increases would be a significant hardship, that SHARE wages do not keep up with those at other institutions or with the cost of living in Worcester. We included examples of sliding scale/subsidized parking rates at other institutions including Yale and UConn (two institutions which UMass Chan considered when determining parking rates).

  • Specifically, we proposed no increase for those making under $50,000 a year, and limiting the increase to $1.00 per week for those making $50,000-$80,000 a year.

  • SHARE’s proposal will be forwarded to the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees. We have not yet received a response. SHARE members’ parking rates have not yet increased.

We will keep you posted on any updates. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out anytime!

Jana Hollingsworth                 jana.hol@theshareunion.org

A.J. Iaconi aj.iaconi@theshareunion.org

Jameal Jackson jameal.jackson@theshareunion.org

Elisabeth Szanto             elisabeth.szanto@theshareunion.org

Andrea Caceres                       andrea.caceres@theshareunion.org

Union Plus Scholarship Opportunities and Benefits

Union Plus is delighted to announce that it is now accepting applications for the 2024 Union Plus Scholarship. Awards range from $500-$4,000 and are available to union members and their families to begin or continue their college education. $200,000 was awarded this year. Don’t miss out on this scholarship opportunity!

If you’re not making use of Union Plus benefits, you might be missing out. Union Plus can help with home ownership through the Mortgage Assistance program and the Save My Home Hotline, not to mention personal loans and legal assistance. By being a member of SHARE/AFSCME Local 4000, you’re also eligible for discounts negotiated on your behalf — from flowers to car rentals to movie tickets — and much more!

SHARE Observance of Juneteeth Holiday

June 19th recognizes an important event in realizing the full emancipation of slaves in the United States. Although the Emancipation Proclamation officially served to end slavery, it took over two years for the words of that statement to be fully enacted. Ever since, Juneteenth has been celebrated both unofficially and officially in various states. The day became formally recognized in Massachusetts in 2007, and became a federal holiday in 2021. You can celebrate locally at events such as Worcester’s annual Black Heritage Festival.

UMass Chan Medical School had added the holiday to its list of official holidays last year. The State’s new legal designation also adds June 19th to the list of dates recognized under Massachusetts’ “Blue Laws,” thereby creating time-off and premium pay requirements for retail employers.

 SHARE values the importance of this day, recognizing the history of racism in our country, and the ways that the labor movement and the rights of BIPOC people (black people, indigenous people, and people of color) have been intertwined. SHARE will continue to work toward policies, pay structures, and cultural values that foster racial equity in our community.  

SHARE Member Meeting Notes From May 17th 2023

On Wednesday, May 17th, SHARE held back-to-back half-hour meetings for members, at 12:00, 12:30, and 1:00. People dropped in on their lunch break. For those who were not able to attend, below are the agenda topics (numbered) and some of the things that came up in discussion (the lettered points). Please let us know if you have any questions.

1. Parking increases: The Med School has announced increased parking rates effective the first full pay period of July 2023

a. SHARE has had a preliminary meeting with HR to discuss the increases. We asked some questions, and made some points

b. We have asked for a follow up meeting with HR to continue these discussions

c. Members in our meeting were asked their thoughts on the increases, and which points they would like us to make as we prepare to make an alternative proposal to HR as permitted by our contract

 

2. Raises: effective July 2nd and will be seen in the July 21st paycheck

a. Increases are .75 cents or 2%, but for all of our members, .75 cents is more

b. Those who are still in a probationary period will receive a 1.5% increase to base following completion of their probation

 

3. Vacation hours over the cap

a. Any vacation hours you may be carrying over the cap of 240 hours must be requested by June 17th (because of the way the pay cycles fall) or they will be lost

 

4. Coming Soon! SHARE Housing Loan Program- The SHARE Housing Loan Program has been created in partnership with UMass Five Credit Union to assist SHARE members with the rising costs of moving, particularly with first, last and security deposits.

a.  $4000.00 max amount with 3.5% interest regardless of credit history (bankruptcy will prevent the loan)

b. Repay options = auto pay, or in person

c. 18 months repayment (no prepay penalties and can be paid off early)

d. Need to be a SHARE member and a member of the credit union ($5 min)

e. Quick 24hr turnaround time (either direct deposit or physical check)

 Contact Jameal Jackson with questions - Jameal.Jackson@theshareunion.org

5. Performance Evaluations and Self Evaluation Changes

a. in some areas there is confusion as to whether self evaluations must be completed. SHARE followed up with HR

b. HR said self evaluations are not required

c. HR wanted employees to consider a few questions before meeting with supervisor, like what are you proud of from the last year, and what do you want to work in this year

d. some departments treated those questions as self evaluation to be written up and submitted 

SHARE Raises Are Coming Soon

Hello SHARE members! We hope you’re all doing well! 

Summer is right around the corner, and for SHARE members every year when the temperatures rise, so do our pay rates!

Hourly raises of $0.75 or 2% (whichever is more for you) will take effect on July 2nd for all members who have completed their 6 month probation before that date. You should see these increases in your July 21st paychecks.

For those who are on the payroll on July 2nd, but haven’t completed your 6 month probation yet, you will still receive a 1.5% increase effective the first Sunday following the satisfactory completion of your probation. 

If you have questions regarding your raise, please reach out anytime to SHARE.UMMS@TheShareUnion.Org

We wish you all a relaxing summer, filled with joy and sunshine!


UMass Chan Medical School/Stillman’s Farm CSA Subscription

Hello SHARE members!

Lettuce tell you about this unique opportunity for UMass Chan Medical School employees.  If you’ve already “bean there-done that”, then you should know what an un-beet-able deal this is!

UMass Chan Medical School and Stillman’s Farm are offering an exclusive CSA (community supported agriculture) paid subscription for Medical School employees. For 16 weeks, Stillman’s farmers will hand pack a bag/box of produce for you. You may choose weekly or bi-weekly (every other week) pick up, at the University Campus.

This is the third year Stillman’s farm has offered this program to UMass Chan staff and students, and it’s been an awesome success. In fact, its kind of rad-ish!

For more information and additional benefits that come with this paid subscription (if you carrot all) click on this link:

Umass Chan Stillman's Farm CSA Info

When others see your veggie boxes, they will be green with envy!

“SHARE” your used books!

Hi SHARE members!

Don’t know what to do with your old children’s books? Look no further!

The City of Worcester, in partnership with the Central Massachusetts AFL-CIO, is proudly sponsoring the annual “Worcester, The City That Reads” Book Drive. SHARE would like to do our part to contribute to this worthy cause.

We are asking SHARE members to gather any new or gently used books, suitable for grades Pre-K through 8th, and drop them off at the SHARE office, 55 Lake Ave, Worcester 01604, no later than May 2nd. Or, we could coordinate a time and place for a SHARE staff person to pick up your books from you.

SHARE will then deliver all the books collected to the Central Massachusetts AFL-CIO who will pass on these gifts of knowledge to the youth of Worcester.

Feel free to contact A.J. or Jameal if you have further questions. Thank you!

AJ.Iaconi@theshareunion.org

Jameal.Jackson@theshareunion.org








                                 








                                 




SHARE Member Meeting Notes 3/15/23

On Weds, March 15, SHARE held back-to-back half-hour meetings for members, at 12:00, 12:30, and 1:00. People dropped in on their lunch break.

For those who were not able to attend, below are the agenda topics (numbered) and some of the things that came up in discussion (the bulleted points). Please let us know if you have any questions.

SHARE Member Meeting 3/15/23

1.      Report on Contract Raises

a.      Previously reported

·         The Covid Appreciation Bonus was paid 12/9/22

·         The Raise was in the 12/23/22 paycheck

·         The Retro was in the 1/6/23 paycheck

b.      The update

·         performance bonuses for “exceeds” or “outstanding” – 1/20/23

·         probationary raises for people hired January-June 2022 – 3/3/23

·         review of people who were promoted out of SHARE after April 1, 2022 and missed the SHARE bonus and the non-union bonus – predicted for 3/17/23

2.      AFL-CIO Scholarship

Each year, the AFL-CIO in Central MA presents several union members’ children or grandchildren with several $500.00 or $1000.00 scholarships to assist with college costs. Please see the links below for more information and to apply.

·         https://theshareunion.net/scholarshipletter2023.pdf

·         https://theshareunion.net/scholarshipapplication2023.pdf

 

3.      Childcare Fund (up to 12) and NEW Academic Enrichment Fund (up to 18)

  In addition to the childcare fund which has assisted our members for years with costs for camps, after school programs and childcare, SHARE has recently negotiated new benefits available to members who have kids up to 18. These benefits can assist with paying for costs such as SAT prep, tutoring, and college application costs.

See links below for more info, or contact Jameal at Jameal.Jackson@theshareunion.org, or Andrea at Andrea.Caceres@theshareunion.org.

https://www.shareumms.org/ccf

https://www.shareumms.org/academic-enrichment

4.      Report on Reclassification Hearings

 This past week, we had our annual reclassification hearings with HR and management. This process is available every January to SHARE members who feel they are in the wrong grade for the work they perform.

This year, we had reclassification review applications from both the Mental Health Counselor and Animal Care Tech job titles. In both cases, SHARE members representing their coworkers presented their cases for grade and equity reviews. Shout out to our members Jeff and Charles from the ACCU and Samantha, Chris, Farren and Greg from Animal Medicine for doing an outstanding job!

5.      Other Topics

  • Weather (1 inch to 24 inches of snow!)

  • Working from home

  • People are busy and departments are hiring

Notice of Nominations & Elections for SHARE Leaders 

Nominations for SHARE Reps and Executive Board Members are open until noon on Monday, February 13, 2023.

Elections for any contested positions will be February 17-21, 2023.

It is time to elect SHARE Reps and Executive Board members! We are looking forward to having as many members as possible participate to keep our union strong.

You must be a dues-paying SHARE member to vote or to nominate someone. You must have been a member for at least 6 months to run for a SHARE leadership position. If you have not yet signed a SHARE membership card, please go to www.shareumms.org/join-share or talk to a SHARE Rep or Organizer.

 ABOUT REPS AND THE EXECUTIVE BOARD 

Descriptions of the different roles

Below are brief descriptions of the roles of Union Reps and Executive Board Members. If you want to talk about what it would be like to be a SHARE Rep or to be on the Executive Board, or if you have other questions, please call the SHARE office at 508-929-4020, or talk to someone you know who is involved with SHARE.

 SHARE Representatives: A Rep is a contact person for their area. SHARE Reps get training from SHARE to relay information between co-workers and union leadership. The scope of the role can be as big or small as you want.

SHARE Executive Board Members: Executive Board members have a responsibility for the whole union. They make decisions about the direction of our union and participate in contract negotiations.

Reps are elected for 1 year. Executive Board Members are elected for 2 years. This election was delayed a few months because of contract negotiations, so the terms will be slightly shorter.

Leadership positions up for election this year

SHARE Representatives – 40 positions open

  • Reps at CCU, Main Campus, Commonwealth Medicine, and Offsite Locations (positions expire in October 2023).

SHARE Executive Board Members – 5 positions open

  • Vice-President; Treasurer; and two at-large Executive Board members (positions expire in October 2024).

  • Secretary (position expires October 2023, finishing a 2-year term).

ABOUT NOMINATIONS

To run for SHARE Rep or Executive Board member

1.     You must be nominated in writing by a SHARE member (a co-worker or yourself).

2.     You must be a dues-paying SHARE member for at least 6 months prior to the election.

3.     Current SHARE Reps who wish to continue as Reps need to be nominated again this year. 

 

To nominate someone for SHARE Rep or Executive Board member

1.     You must be a dues-paying SHARE member.

2.     Please send written nominations:

·        By email to share.elections@theshareunion.org; or

·        By fax to (508) 929-4040; or

·        By U.S. mail to SHARE, 50 Lake Ave, Worcester, MA 01604.

3.     Nominations should include:

·        The name, department and phone number of the person being nominated;

·        The position for which they are being nominated; and

·        The name and phone number of the person submitting the nomination.

4.     Nominations must arrive at the SHARE office by noon on February 13, 2023. 

We cannot accept late nominations.  

 

ABOUT ELECTIONS 

Determining whether there will be an election

After the close of the nomination period, all eligible nominees will be offered the opportunity to decline the nomination. Anyone who does not decline is then a candidate. If there are more candidates than positions to fill, then we will hold an election from noon on Thursday, February 17 to noon on Monday, February 21, 2023. If there are enough positions for all nominees, then they are considered elected. All SHARE members will be notified about whether any elections are contested.

 How voting works if there is an election

The election will be held by electronic ballot, hosted professionally by ElectionBuddy.com, an online voting service that meets the standards set by the U.S. Department of Labor and by our parent union, AFSCME.

ElectionBuddy will send a link to your cell phone and/or email account for you to vote securely online. You can provide your cell phone number and/or personal email address, or request a ballot by mail, by emailing SHARE.Elections@theshareunion.org or talking to a SHARE staff organizer. The SHARE office phone number is 508-929-4020.

The votes will be counted by ElectionBuddy and results will be available online to all SHARE members immediately after voting ends.

                                                                      

 

 

Raise in 12/23 Check, Retro 1/6

HR Labor Relations has informed SHARE that our contract raise is scheduled for this week’s paycheck (12/23/2022) and the retro is scheduled for the next paycheck (1/6/2023).

What does this mean for me?

If you are eligible for the full 4.75% raise (you were a non-probationary SHARE member on July 3, 2022 and you are still in SHARE), the payrate in your check this week should be your new, post-raise, hourly rate. That means that you will have been paid at your new rate for the pay period December 4-17.

The retroactive amount that you will be owed is the amount of the raise (4.75%) for the hours you were paid in the 22 weeks from July 3, 2022 to December 3, 2022. That amount should be paid in the January 6 paycheck.

Example:

  • If you make $21/hour, then your raise would be $21/hour x 0.0475 = $1/hour

  • If you were paid 40 hours/week between July 3 and December 3, then you were paid 40 hours/week x 22 weeks = 880 hours

  • Your retro would be $1/hour x 880 hours = $880 before taxes

  • If you make less than $21/hour then your hourly raise would be lower; if you make more than $21/hour then your hourly raise would be higher

  • The retro is paid on all hours you were paid by UMass Chan, including vacation, holiday, sick, personal time, and overtime

Timeline of contract raise and bonus payoutS

The Covid Appreciation Bonus was paid 12/9/22

The Raise will be in the 12/23/22 paycheck

The Retro will be in the 1/6/23 paycheck

Still to be determined:

  • performance bonuses for “exceeds” or “outstanding”

  • probationary raises for people hired January-June 2022

  • review of people who were promoted out of SHARE after April 1, 2022 and missed the SHARE bonus and the non-union bonus

As always, please let us know if you have any questions.

Reclassification Requests - Deadline January 30

The SHARE contract gives individual SHARE members the right to request reclassification of their job through the union. You can make a request for reclassification through Monday, January 30. Click here to download the request form as a printable pdf. Please read below for more about the process and preparation.

What is reclassification?

Reclassification means changing the grade level for a job. If the grade level assigned to a particular title no longer seems to match the level of work responsibilities, a job may need to be reclassified.

How does UMASS CHAN usually handle reclassification?

Under the UMass Chan Job Evaluation Policy, your manager can make a request on your behalf for the HR Compensation Department to review your job. HR Compensation evaluates the job description, consults with your manager, looking at the level of the job responsibilities, and how they compare to other jobs inside and outside of UMMS, and determines whether the grade is appropriate.

How is the SHARE process different?

UMass Chan has agreed to do some reclassification reviews that are not initiated by a department manager. SHARE can submit up to 10 individual reclassification requests per year to HR for review. The deadline to make a request is Monday, January 30.

Example: Someone was hired as an Administrative Assistant I. New responsibilities were added, and they now fit better in an Administrative Assistant II job description. They can request a review of their job and present arguments for changing the grade.

How will the ten individuals be chosen?

Because our unit is big, and our slots are limited, preference will be given to people who:

  1. have already tried to use the UMMS Job Evaluation process but been unsuccessful; and

  2. have the strongest business case for reclassification of their job

I think my job should be reclassified. What should I do?

  1. Do your research: Ask HR for copies of the job descriptions for your job title and for any job titles you think would better match your job responsibilities. What job title do you think you should have? How does the job description match up?

  2. Talk to your manager: Tell them what you are thinking, and why. Show them the job descriptions. Ask what they think, and why.

    • If they agree with you, that’s great. See if they will submit your job to HR for review. There is no deadline for managers submitting these requests, and no ten-person limit.

    • If they disagree, try to get a clear understanding of where you and they disagree.

  3. Apply immediately: If your manager isn’t going to submit your job for reclassification review but you still think it should be reviewed, fill out a Reclassification Review Request application and email it by January 30 to these people:

If you would like help thinking about this, you can talk to a SHARE Rep, call the SHARE office at 508-929-4020, or email SHARE.UMMS@theshareunion.org.

2023 Dues Rates

AFSCME, SHARE’s parent union, has announced the dues rate increase for the upcoming year. The new bi-weekly rate for most SHARE members will be $20.46.The increase is about $0.01/hour (seventy-eight cents per bi-weekly paycheck.) For SHARE members who work 20 hours/week, the new bi-weekly rate will be $15.32. The new rates will apply to the Jan 1-Jan 14 pay period, so they should be reflected in the January 20 paycheck.

WHY SHOULD I PAY DUES?

Dues are an investment that SHARE members make in themselves and their coworkers. Without a union, employees have very little leverage to make change, or even to hold onto what they have.

SHARE members want respect for the work that they do, fair treatment, opportunities for advancement, and good raises so that they can take care of themselves and their families. SHARE gives employees a voice in various ways:

  • In contract negotiations, we have a voice in our pay, benefits and work policies.

  • In union meetings and individual conversations, we have a voice in the direction and priorities of the union

  • Through the problem-solving process, we have a voice when individual problems/conflicts come up at work

  • In union elections, we have a voice in who our representatives will be

  • Through committees, department-based Joint Working Groups, and ad-hoc negotiations, we have a voice in issues that face groups of SHARE members

When it comes down to dollars and cents, dues pay for themselves. SHARE has consistently negotiated raises each year that our union has existed - 24 years now. Those increases have resulted in better raises than our non-union counterparts and policies that reflect SHARE members’ needs.

Working together through the union, SHARE members can continue to make progress in all these areas. And dues support the staff who support this work.

HOW ARE DUES CALCULATED?

Any annual increase is calculated by the AFSCME International office based on the average percent increase of AFSCME members’ pay rates across the country in the previous year.

WHERE DO MY DUES GO?

The short answer is that dues mostly pays for SHARE staff.

The longer answer is that SHARE members at UMass Chan Medical School pool their dues money with members of three other unions locals: SHARE at UMass Memorial and Marlborough Hospital, HUCTW at Harvard University, and USW at Cambridge Health Alliance. The four union locals together are called the New England Organizing Project (NEOP). All their dues together pay for the union staff for all the locals, union offices, phones and utilities, mailings, etc. About 75% of the budget is for staff.

The staff spend their time gathering information and opinions from members, sharing information with members, developing and supporting SHARE Reps, helping members with questions or problems, negotiating contracts, organizing events, researching issues, writing blog posts, etc., all on behalf of SHARE members.

MORE INFORMATION

If you would like to know more, please talk to a SHARE Rep, email share.umms@theshareunion.org, or leave a message at 508-929-4020. You can also learn more about what our union does, and the benefits of union membership, by exploring www.shareumms.org.

Member Meeting Weds 12/21/22

Join other SHARE members for our last Member Meetings of 2022. They will take place on Wednesday, December 21. The meetings will be 12:00-12:30pm, 12:30-1:00pm, and 1:00-1:30pm.

We will talk about:

  • Delivery Timeline for all Bonuses, Raises and Retros from the contract                                          

  • Reclassification Review Requests

  • Childcare Fund & Academic Enrichment

  • SHARE Rep & Executive Board Election – get (more) involved in the union

  • Scholarship Opportunity for graduating seniors

  • Anything else you want to talk about

 

MEMBER MEETING – Wednesday December 21st – at 12:00pm, 12:30pm, or 1:00pm

Drop in any time you can join us. The agenda will start at 12:00, 12:30, and 1:00.

 

POSTPONED - SHARE Picnic

The SHARE picnic is being postponed due to rain.

The new date will probably be October 22 - we will confirm when we have all the details.

SHARE negotiates its best contracts and raises when management sees that members are engaged and informed. Plus, picnics are fun!

So, let’s get together!

Who? SHARE members in work-from-home departments (at UMass Chan and UMass Memorial)

When? Saturday, October 1, 10am-noon

Where? Elm Park, 138 Russell St, Worcester

What else? BYOB/C - bring your own blanket or chair. SHARE will provide sandwiches and light snacks — RSVP to share.umms@theshareunion.org to make sure we save a sandwich for you. Pot-luck dishes are welcome but totally optional!

We’ll also have buttons and copies of our new poster, plus updates about contract negotiations. We know that some of you have never met the others in your department in real-life, so we’ll make sure everyone finds each other.

Dress code? Kidding! Kind of. Let’s all wear red to show we support good raises and a strong contract.

Solidarity photos & Recap of 10th, 11th & 12th negotiating sessions (Aug 10, 24 & 31)

Solidarity Photos

We were thrilled to see so many of you show up in support of contract negotiations at our solidarity events, wearing red, and being so engaged in the process. It was great to feel what a strong community we're all a part of, as SHARE members. If you weren't able to attend one of our events, we would still like you and your department be represented in our SHARE photo poster. You can send us a selfie or group photo with your co-workers in support of a strong contract!

Negotiations Update

For the past month, we have increased the frequency of our negotiations sessions and started meeting weekly. There is a shared interest from both sides to move negotiations forward. At this point in the process, we have been mostly focusing on the finances and wages. The SHARE and UMass Chan teams have been going back and forth with wage proposals/ideas and bridging the gaps between the different proposals we have already made. In our most recent negotiations session, SHARE made a presentation about the cost of living, the job market, wage compression, and the problems we have been facing with recruitment and retention.

Meeting by Meeting

Aug 10 - economics - same economic proposal from management as 7/27/22 but written down. Also discussed the rest of the package, including Joint Working Groups. mandatory overtime, Work from Home, non-weather hazardous conditions and bilingual pay.

Aug 24 - continued discussion of non-wage portions of the contract proposals from both sides.

Aug 31 - SHARE presentation on the problems we think need to be fixed with our eventual wage agreement, including retention and recruitment, effect of inflation on members’ finances, the impact of pay ranges lower than those of competing employers, and wage compression resulting from ad-hoc compensation changes over the last couple of years. We talked about different approached to solving these problems, recognizing that SHARE members make less money than many UMass Chan employees and have lower raises than other union groups.

Sept 7 - meeting postponed to Sept 14. Additional meeting scheduled for Sept 21.

Questions or suggestions about this website? Email kirk.davis@theshareunion.org