Dear APA members,

As we often say, there is absolutely power in numbers.  As a group, we have been doing an awesome job setting the expectation that our contract be funded – and the sooner the better!  As of this writing, 462 emails have been sent to the Governor and 610 emails to legislators!  That is pretty awesome.  Many of you have written to tell me that you also called the (617) 725-4005 number that connects you to the “Constituent Services Aide” and have actually spoken to a person about this contract funding issue.  You can bet that the message about our collective disappointment (and anger) is getting to the people with the resources to turn this mess around.

The MSCA has alerted their members that this contract funding issue is affecting the APA and their membership has taken up the cause.  Through the MTA, the other Higher Ed unions are also gearing up to contact the Governor and their reps.  Keeping the pressure on will help.

If you have not already done so, please log onto the Action Network by clicking on this link:  https://actionnetwork.org/letters/respect-public-higher-education-employees/ to email the Governor.  Use this link to contact your local legislators:   https://actionnetwork.org/letters/urge-gov-baker-to-honor-public-higher-education-contract/.

When you use these links, you also have the option to forward the email to friends and family to support our efforts.  If every APA member got one friend or family member to support the cause, our email volume will double.

You can also edit the “canned” letter and send another one!  Volume of communication is the key.

The reality of this situation is this:

• The State has only committed to a 1% increase in the state employees’ salaries + 1% additional, if revenues exceed $27,072 Billion (that threshold has already been realized). This is the lowest increase the state has offered in years, during a period when revenues are high and the economy is doing well.
• The State has passed along the additional increases of 2% in 2018 and 2% in 2019 to the Institutions.  The Colleges and Universities also cover all of the stipend and clothing allowances costs.
• The governor is bragging, in his campaign ads that “Success is measured by what we accomplish together.” and “we have great people.”   Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjncoClwKJE and see why we need to tell the Governor that “Government should work by also honoring its commitments”.

Best regards,

Sherry Horeanopoulos