FSU Update: MTA workplace survey, state pensions and Social Security, transportation survey, and MTA Summer Conference

6/13/2024

Dear Members,

Before you go into full period of non-responsibility mode, we share a request from MTA to complete a workplace survey.  In addition, a recent Boston Globe article provides a good explanation of what happens to retirees on state pensions when you also qualify to receive Social Security.  

MTA Higher Ed Faculty & Staff Survey

MTA is interested in better understanding the experiences of faculty and staff at Massachusetts' public higher education institutions in the workplace. In this survey, you will be presented with questions related to faculty & staff roles and responsibilities, relationship with peers/colleagues within the department, career progression, and job satisfaction. Both union members and non-members are encouraged to take the survey. If you have any questions related to the study, please feel free to email Vishakha Agarwal at vagarwal@massteacher.org.

Transportation Survey

Thank you to all who responded.  The union coalition is meeting with the administration today, June 13th.  We expect to continue to meet for transportation bargaining during the summer.

Bayside Expo parking lot:  The lot is slated to permanently close August 31st.

Have you worked under Social Security? Are you (or may) collect survivor Social Security benefits?

If any of these fits, you might be impacted by the Government Pension Offset (GPO) or the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).  

Please read the June 10th Boston Globe article If you’ve earned a public pension, beware of how it affects your Social Security benefits in retirement

Massachusetts FY25 Budget- Conference Committee Outreach

The Massachusetts FY25 budget enters is in its final stages of approval and we need your help! In the next few weeks, the Conference Committee will be ironing out the differences between the House (not great for higher ed) and  Senate (better for higher ed) budgets. We need these members to hear from members to do right by public education and public higher education in Massachusetts! Please send a letter to the conference committee members through this action network: Urge Legislators to Support Public Higher Education in the FY25 Budget - Action Network.

MTA Summer Conference is July 28th to 31st at UMass Amherst

Join fellow union members at MTA's annual summer conference.   This year workshops related to higher education are being held on Tuesday, July 30th.  You can attend one day, two days or the full conference. Early bird registration ends July 11th. 

For a full list of workshops, go to https://web.cvent.com/event/730784ed-6314-4d90-a826-a56a0729dfa5/websitePage:d14f4f8c-9ad0-4479-bc99-6316365e85f9

MTA Benefits

Check out this month’s giveaway.  Seasonal discounts include a New England Revolution game and Canobie Lake Park.

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                             Sana Haroon

Senior Lecturer II                          Professor

Political Science Department     History Department

President                                        Vice President