The Professional Staff Union at UMass Boston and Amherst secured a strong new contract in February that removed the administration’s attempt to introduce merit pay, and that included salary boosts for many members on lower steps of the pay scale.
The agreement was the result of tireless work by hundreds of PSU members, according to a statement by chapter leaders, announcing what was then a tentative agreement. It ended 18 months of bargaining, which included more than 50 sessions that attracted hundreds of silent bargaining representatives.
PSU members made noise at rallies and practice pickets, signed petitions and mailed letters to legislators. “If you did any of those things in the last year and a half, THANK You!” the bargaining team said, in an email to members.
The contract was ratified on Feb. 19 by 99.7 percent of the votes. About 72 percent of members voted on the contract.
The agreement includes:
A full, merit-pay-free COLA for all members, including retroactive payments.
A $60,000 minimum salary for Boston members, effective January 2027.
Annual longevity bonuses in Boston starting at 15 years of service, effective in July.
A $200,000 economic adjustment pool for Amherst members, which will be distributed to members with specific job titles who earn less than $80,000.
Snow days for Amherst members that allow those scheduled to work on-site the day of an emergency closure to have a snow day, and that allow those scheduled for remote work to work remotely.
Increases to on-call and call-back pay and flexible work agreements for Boston members.
The contract, ratified in Boston and Amherst, now must be funded by the state Legislature through an existing supplemental budget. Once the Legislature funds the contract, retroactive payments will be made for any raises during the life of the contract.
