Nuts & Bolts: Upcoming events, All Union meeting, FSU elections schedule, MTA Higher Ed conference, Phased Retirement, Workplace Health & Safety Committee, MTA Benefits

2/24/2025

FSU Calendar February 24th to 28th     

Wednesday, February 26th 11:45- 1:30PM UDC Grant Funding Gathering 

Stop by the University Dining Club for some pizza and cookies and converse with colleagues.  This week we are asking those in particular who have grant funding to stop by to share what you are experiencing and help us build a support network.  This is open to all members.  

Contract Bargaining Session, Wednesday, February 26th   9:45AM to 11:45AM  

Join your core bargaining team as an expanded team member.  We bargain every Wednesday so if you cannot join us this week, there are future Wednesday sessions.   

Dear Faculty and Librarians,

What a week of amazing union power!  We began on the 18th with an all-union town hall, then on Wednesday as part of the National Higher Education Day of Action there were two rallies in downtown Boston followed by MTA higher education union members meeting to strategize around federal policy changes.

Follow-up: All Union Town Hall meeting of February 18th

Wow, almost 200 union members joined together last Tuesday.  Thank you to those members who joined either in the UDC or on zoom.   

Watch for an email with an update and next steps.

FSU Annual Elections: Announcement of Slate of Candidates

This week the Elections Committee is reviewing the received nominations and will announce the slate of candidates.  The email will come from the Elections Committee email address.

National Higher Education Day of Action: UMB well represented

UMB was well represented at two rallies held on February 19th.  The first rally was at the JFK Federal Building where UMB’s Bianca Ortiz-Wythe spoke passionately on the federal attacks on higher ed. News coverage even captured two FSU members- check out their picture!   

This Saturday: MTA Higher Ed Conference is March 1st at DCU in Worcester

The MTA's conference for higher education members is Saturday, March 1st. The morning session is a panel discussion with Higher Ed leaders from around the country highlighting their fights for strong contracts.  Time is allowed for questions and planning for the upcoming concerns on our own campuses.

The afternoon workshops include Higher Ed legislation, living wage campaigns for non-faculty, the future of academic freedom, federal funding issues, and professional development for faculty.   The conference is free. For more details and registration go to Register here.

Know Your Contract: Phased Retirement

Tenure track members and NTT/Librarians on continuing appointments may participate in this program that allows members to reduce their percentage of time to 50% for up to 2 years prior to separation from the university (see Article 27.14 for more info).

Did You Know?  Workplace Health & Safety Committee

The FSU has a seat on a variety of campus committees.  The Workplace Health & Safety Committee meets monthly with representatives of facilities and environmental health departments.  Please share any concerns with us.

Save the Date: FSU Annual Meeting is Thursday, April 17th

Each year we hold an annual meeting where any member is encouraged to attend. Required business includes the adoption of a fiscal year budget. We also provide updates on actions taken, current activities but more importantly, we seek your feedback.

MTA Benefits: Boch Center Paw Patrol Live!

Children’s show Paw Patrol Live is coming March 29th and 30th.  MTA members can save up to $15 per ticket.  If you prefer Irish dance, Riverdance 30: The Next Generation is April 8th to 13th.  Members can save up to 20% on a ticket.

February is also American Hearth Month.

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                                 

FSU President                                   

Senior Lecturer II                               

Political Science Department