Trustees pledge support for contract funds

By Sarah R. Buchholz, Chronicle staff

n a move called a positive step by campus unions, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution Feb. 12 supporting the University's negotiated pay raises with its employee unions and calling for the "maximum level of state funding feasible in the current fiscal environment."

     The resolution called the faculty and staff the University's "most vital asset" and said all people concerned have been disappointed that the negotiated salary increases have not been funded.

      "The board reiterates its support for the negotiated salary increases for University employees and pledges to work with President Bulger, the unions and their members in an effort to fund these contracts," the resolution said. "We are mindful of the Commonwealth's significant fiscal constraints but also recognize that a healthy and well-funded University of Massachusetts is critically important to economic recovery and growth."

      "We do thank you on behalf of the faculty and staff of the system," Faculty Senate secretary and president of the Intercampus Faculty Council Ernest May told the board. "This does show that we're all in this together. This is a major step forward in being able to come to a resolution."

      Tom Goodkind, research machinist in the College of Arts and Sciences and president of Service Employees International Local 509 at UMass Boston, told the board that further cooperation between the unions and the board would be necessary to facilitate progress in the University system.

      "You are a board with enormous resources and influence. Now is the time to use them; now is the time to put the 'trust' back in 'trustee,'" he said. "Resolving the infrastructural crisis of our contracts should be the No. 1 budgetary priority of this board and of each campus administration.

      "We have heard that the Governor is considering a 20 percent cut to our funding in next year's budget. If we are to prevent this, we will have to do it together; you will need our help to block this devastation. But without a genuine effort on your part to resolve this contract funding crisis, no such alliance will be possible. Any campaign to save UMass - and one is sorely needed - must be a campaign that also addresses the contract funding crisis as an essential component."

      Prior to the meeting approximately 100 union members gathered in the hallways on the way to the boardroom to call for trustee support. The group held signs calling for contract funding. When the board passed the resolution, a cheer went up.

     "I am heartened by the positive tone of the dialogue between my office and our staff and our faculty representatives," President William M. Bulger said. "The University's quality depends on our ability to attract the best staff and faculty."