The Point: The PSU Picket and Bargaining: Call President Meehan

2/5/2026

The week’s edition was written by The Point committee.  As always, The Point represents the views of the authors and is not the official position of the FSU.

Dear Colleagues:

Yesterday several hundred PSU members, along with faculty and student supporters, held a picket in freezing temperatures to put pressure on the Administration to agree – after nearly two years of bargaining – to a contract that guarantees all professional staff the cost-of-living raises mandated by the state (photos below!).   It is unreal that the Administration is holding up an entire agreement because of its insistence that part of the cost-of-living raises be withheld so that merit can be doled out.  It’s not surprising that this obstinance – and a lot of organizing -- generated one of the largest union actions on campus in recent memory.

PSU President Tom McClennan framed the issue in straightforward terms, noting that everyone needs a cost-of-living raise because everyone has experienced a significant increase in the cost of living.  It’s pretty simple.  Understood this way, withholding a cost-of-living raise is tantamount to wage theft.  This was echoed by a member of PSU’s contract action team (or CAT), who was tired of the constant attack on staff paychecks and the bullying that goes along with it.

MTA President Max Page also attended, pointing out that there is no way it should take 500 days to bargain the next contract; that UMass employees should not have to beg for a cost-of-living increase; and that UMass simply will not function without the professional staff who keep the university running.

Today, professional staff at UMass Amherst will be holding a similar rally, and on Friday an additional round of bargaining will take place, giving the Administration yet another opportunity to do the right thing.

What Can We Do?  Thanks to all the faculty who walked the picket line.  If you want to support the PSU, they are asking we call President Meehan’s office (617-287-7050 – press 9 to reach his office) and tell him to instruct the Chancellors at Amherst and Boston to give PSU their cost-of-living raises.   You can also follow PSU on Instagram:  instagr.am/professionalstaffunion      And learn more at:  umasspsu.org 

The Picket!

Librarians, staff, and faculty getting ready for the picket!

 The Rally!

The committee for this year’s The Point currently includes Jessica Holden, Healey Library; Nick Juravich, History; Jeff Melnick, American Studies; and Steve Striffler, Labor Studies.  If you want to write an edition of The Point, or if you just have an idea, please write us at fsu@umb.edu.