Nuts & Bolts: Federal government actions, collective bargaining, FSU elections and MTA Benefits

2/3/2025

Dear Faculty and Librarians,

Over the past three weeks we have been bombarded with news reports including executive orders and federal agency announcements.  Just like you, we too are reading and hearing about these actions.  

What do all these actions mean for me, for my job, for my students, for the FSU and for the UMB community.  The unknown is upsetting when we are used to being the expert in the room.

Some of you have reached out to us asking what these actions mean.  We are working to learn more and will provide you with information when able.

FSU activities include meeting with other UMass unions across four campuses and meeting with leaders of UMB unions to learn more, hear what is taking place on another campus and examine the impact of these actions. Collective action is our power and joining with our sister unions is important.

In addition, this coming week we will be raising concerns in both labor management (Feb 5th) and labor relations (Feb 6th) meetings.  

No matter our college or our rank – when one is impacted, we are all impacted.  For example, grant recipients across all disciplines may lose funding harming the faculty member and those employed on the grant money (graduate students, staff).   

So, what do we do? We organize and fight back. It will take all of us to join and push back.  Allowing federal agents to make arrests in schools and freezing federal funding is not the end of these actions. We expect future executive orders related to academic freedom and course curricula.

We are calling on our members to join the FSU.  We need your input as we navigate federal action impacts.  We need you to become engaged.  Engagement can be attending a forum/meeting, sharing a story, or sending an email.  It will take the collective action of all of us to keep the promise of public higher education. 

Collective Bargaining Session, Wednesday, February 5th

We are back at the bargaining table!  We are scheduled to meet every Wednesday from 9:45 to 11:30AM.   Respond to the CBT email and sign up to be an expanded bargaining team attendee.

FSU Executive Committee Meeting February 7th

The first meeting of the semester is this Friday, February 7th at 3:30PM.  Meeting details will be sent by Wednesday.

FSU Annual Elections

The Elections Committee has announced the election schedule with nominations now open.  For more information see here. 

MTA Benefits: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Looking for an indoor green space this winter?  The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s courtyard might be the answer.  MTA members received 2-for-1 or 50% off a single general admission ticket. Log into your MTA Benefits account and select Giveaways and Tickets.

Thank you to Ms. G, Massachusetts’ groundhog, for seeing her shadow and predicting six more weeks of winter.  

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                                 

FSU President                                   

Senior Lecturer II                               

Political Science Department