MSCA

UPDATES

Ratification on Day Bargaining Agreement

The ratification for the Day Bargaining Agreement launched on Monday. Members should have received a ballot link and voter instructions on Monday, September 11 at their university email address. If you did not receive this information please reach out to MSCA President, Maria Hegbloom.

Polls will close at 5:00 pm on Friday, September 15.

You can read the tentative agreement here.

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DGCE Focus Groups & Survey

Negotiations for a new 3-year contract for the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education will be starting shortly and the bargaining committee wants to hear from you!!!

Please consider attending one of the two listening sessions:

• Tuesday, September 19, 9:00 am – 10:00 am

• Thursday, September 21, 7:00-8:00 pm

• Register for a session HERE.

We are also asking graduate and continuing education faculty to complete a short survey (10 min.) that will provide our bargaining committee with important information about faculty experiences in these divisions.

• Complete the survey HERE.

EVENTS/WORKSHOPS

September 18th – Cherish Act Hearing Set

On September 18th union members, students, and community activists will be headed to Boston to share testimony and provide support for the Cherish Act. This important event will help to show our legislators how important adequate funding for public higher education is to the Commonwealth. If passed, the Cherish Act will address issues of affordability, need for increased student supports, staff, faculty, and librarian shortages, and healthy and sustainable campus buildings. Register to attend today!

Upcoming MTA Workshops

Come learn more about your benefits & your union! The MTA will be holding a number of important workshops for members over the next few months!

Getting a Raise as a Public Sector Union Member: 5 – 6 p.m., Tuesday, October 3

• This interactive class breaks down all of the steps in higher ed contract funding, from getting the “parameters” to putting raises in members’ paychecks. Topics discussed will include things that can derail the process and how members can exert influence at appropriate points. Sign up here.

Credit Counseling and Loan Forgiveness: Various dates and times, August – December

• While we are often concerned with the debt our students are taking on, we also recognize that many of our members are still dealing with the debt they incurred as students. These training sessions provide guidance on how to handle debt while qualifying for loan forgiveness. For a list of dates and times, please follow the link to Sign up here

What New Members Need to Know About Retirement: 5:30 – 6:15 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 10

• This workshop is for faculty and professional staff at the UMass, state university and community college systems. We’ll compare the defined benefit retirement option (State Retirement Board) and the defined contribution retirement option (Optional Retirement Plan), discussing the pros and cons of each. The last portion of the session will be dedicated to answering your questions.  Sign up here.

Unemployment Insurance and Paid Family Medical Leave for Adjunct Faculty: 6 – 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 26

• This 90-minute training explores the application process in Massachusetts for unemployment insurance and Paid Family Medical Leave. The training will address potential issues that adjunct faculty may face in accessing these benefits. Sign up here.

Adjunct Faculty: OBRA Investment Changes: 6 – 7 p.m., Tuesday, September 12

• A representative from the Massachusetts SMART Plan will discuss new opportunities for investing for retirement through the OBRA program. He will also be available for any questions regarding this important benefit. Sign up here.