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Reverse the Privatization of Advancement
UMass Amherst has illegally eliminated its entire Advancement division—124 state employees—in violation of signed agreements with our unions. These are the people who host Homecoming, publish UMass Magazine, solicit scholarship donations, and perform other essential functions for the university. UMass is moving these same functions to a private employer—without the transparency or oversight that public work requires. This scheme has irreparably harmed dozens of state workers, tuition-paying and tax-paying families, and the integrity of UMass as an institution. This fight is NOT over. We stand together to REVERSE the privatization of Advancement. We are working to restore these state positions and to stop any further union-busting and privatization attempts elsewhere on campus.
Updates
Washington (April 26, 2023) - Today, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement regarding talks to privatize public sector jobs at UMass Amherst:
"We stand with union workers at UMass Amherst fighting against the privatization of public sector jobs, which would put employees’ retirement benefits and job security at risk. We urge UMass to come together with its workers on a solution that protects good, union jobs in our public education system."
"As legislators who represent UMass Amherst and its people, we are gravely concerned about the 100 employees at UMass Amherst – many of whom are our constituents – whose positions focus on building support for the university. Their state jobs, careers, and retirements are on the line as the flagship campus endeavors to move their positions to a private entity."We are not convinced that UMass Amherst’s plan to restructure is needed and we strongly urge the Administration to reexamine options with two priority objectives: 1) to secure the retirements of these public employees, and 2) to achieve a resolution that addresses any compliance issues that UMass Amherst may face without forcing its employees to bear the cost with their retirements or their careers."
Media Coverage
Please share these stories widely with your friends, family, co-workers, and social network.
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UMass Amherst privatizes jobs, removing some employees’ union status The Boston Globe (6/10/2023)
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UMass Ordered to Pause Privatization of Advancement Jobs for Legal Review The Shoestring (5/18/2023)
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State Auditor intervenes UMass Amherst privatization process WWLP 22News.com (5/16/2023)
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UMass Amherst plan to eliminate 100 jobs may violate state law, auditor says MassLive (5/16/2023)
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UMass Amherst plan to privatize 100 jobs may violate state law, auditor says Boston Business Journal (5/16/2023)
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State auditor will look at UMass jobs transfer to private foundation Daily Hampshire Gazette (5/15/2023)
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State Officials Criticize UMass Privatization Plan The Shoestring (4/6/23)
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UMass is on the defensive after pushback over its planned staffing change (Editorial) MassLive (4/4/23)
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Comerford, Domb weigh in against UMass move to privatize union jobs Daily Hampshire Gazette (3/30/2023)
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Privatization Push Prompts ‘Union Busting’ Charges Inside Higher Ed (3/16/2023)
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UMass unions speak out at rally against move to privatize jobs Amherst Bulletin (3/16/2023)
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UMass unions speak out at rally against move to privatize jobs Daily Hampshire Gazette (3/7/2023)
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UMass workers, staff unions protest University administration job privatization attempts Daily Collegian (3/7/2023)
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UMass Amherst Unions Fight Privatization Of Fundraising Jobs The Shoestring (3/10/2023)
Press Releases and Information
- Press Release - UMass Amherst Privatization Plan Violates Labor Law - April 7 2023
- Press release - UMass Amherst Workers Fight Planned Job Cuts - March 1 2023
- Detailed legal analysis from PSU Attorney on why any "compliance concerns are without merit." (3/13/2023)
Actions
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Take Action Here - Email UMass leadership to Stop the Privatization of Advancement
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To show solidarity, we encourage all PSU members and allies to include this language in your email signature:
SAVE OUR STAFF: I stand with my Advancement colleagues against mass layoffs and forced privatization. Learn what’s at stake»
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Event: MSRB (Mass State Retirement Board)
The meeting agenda for 3/30 is not posted yet but you should be able to find it here when it is:
Details: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/massachusetts-state-retirement-board-meetings-msrb -
Event: Save Our Staff: Speak Out
March 6, 12:45pm,
Whitmore Administration Building, UMass Amherst
https://fb.me/e/NMU1rU6W (Facebook Event) - Petition: Sign the petition to save Advancement members’ jobs.
Contacts
- Brad Turner, PSU Co-Chair: brad.turner@umass.edu
- Andrew Gorry, PSU Co-Chair: andrewgorry@umass.edu
- Leslie Marsland, USA President: marsland@umass.edu
- Sheila Gilmour, USA Chief Steward: sgilmour@umass.edu
Resources
- PSU on Facebook: PSUMTA
- Hashtags: #SaveOurStaff #Union @UMassAmherst @PSUMTA
- Stop Privatization Zoom Background image (PNG)
- Save Our Staff PNG file (1200px PNG)