Dear USA members,

For those of you who could not attend yesterday's board of trustee's meeting the following resolution was passed: The Board of Trustees recognizes that the dedicated faculty and staff of the University of Massachusetts are the system's most vital asset.

It is a matter of disappointment, for all parties concerned, that negotiated salary increases have not been funded and that the University's hard working employees continue to await expected wage increases. 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 increases.

The members of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees and President Bulger working in conjunction with the system's employees and unions strongly advocate the maximum level of state appropriation funding feasible in the current fiscal environment. 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.

While I recognize that this is a big step in getting the President and the Board of Trustee's to acknowledge that we are due these cost of living increases, we still have a long way to go. The leadership and I will continue to work with the statewide coalition and the Amherst coalition on efforts to keep this issue in the forefront and hopefully get our contracts funded. This means that we must continue to put the pressure on the President's office and the University when we have the opportunity. I will keep you posted as to the upcoming events and hopefully I will continue to see you out there supporting our contract funding as well as the funding of the University. Keeping the pressure on is what has gotten us this far, so keep up the good work. Thank you all for your efforts.

In solidarity,

Donna Johnson President USA