LATEST NEWS:
1/27/22: UMPSA COVID-19 Booster MOU
UMPSA UMS Booster MOU - December 2021 (download)
3/23/21: Delegate Assembly
We are in need of delegates – PLEASE volunteer to be a delegate at this year’s assembly on April 24, 2021. Being a delegate is an easy way to get involved in your union, it only entails giving up half of one day of your time. These are tenuous times for the University and it’s employees – this is the time to get involved.
This year we will be electing a President and Vice President for two year terms each, and Secretary and Treasurer, both for a 1 year term. We are in need of nominees for these positions.
UMPSA Delegate Assembly 2021 (download)
11/4/20: MEA Urgent Healthcare Update
MEA is pleased to inform you the affiliate unions of the MEA in the University of Maine System have reached an agreement with the University regarding healthcare benefits for retirees. The University agreed to reinstate the group healthcare plan for all retirees.
MEA Urgent Healthcare Update (download)
4/4/20: UMPSA and UMS sign Memorandum of Understanding regarding Return to Work issues and COVID-19 Phase 3 Testing
Please find the attached MOU from September 30, 2020, below.
Memorandum of Understanding regarding Return to Work and COVID-19 Phase 3 Testing (download)
4/4/20: UMPSA and UMS sign Memorandum of Understanding regarding COVID-19 Pandemic
Please find the attached MOU signed and dated April 3, 2020, below.
Memorandum of Understanding regarding COVID-19 Pandemic (download)
3/31/20: Federal Families First Corona Virus Response Act (FFFCVRA) Notice
Please find the attached flyers, which provide information about the new leave provisions available to employees under the Federal Families First Corona Virus Response Act. While the university system is still developing its plans going forward, the FFRCRA is legislation that was passed by the federal government.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights (download)
Employee Rights: Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (download)
3/18/20: Telecommuting Notice
There is a lot of confusion around working from home and employees being expected to complete and sign telecommuting agreements. The UMS decision is to not require telecommuting agreements, but that employees need to communicate with their supervisors. If you have any questions at this time, you should talk to your campus HR partner.
8/14/19: Members Approve 2019-2020 Contract
We are pleased to announce that our members overwhelmingly ratified the 2019-2021 contract. Salary increases retroactive to July 1 will be in the August 30 paycheck.
8/14/19: Ballot for 2019-2020 Contract Changes Open
UMPSA members can now cast their vote either in support of or opposition to the contract changes. If ratified, the changes will be retroactive to July 1, 2019. The negotiated increase of 3% effective July 1, 2019 would be in your August paycheck, retroactive to July 1.
The UMPSA Negotiating Team supports ratification of the contract changes.
Please submit your ballot by Friday, August 2, 2019. The Board of Trustees has approved the contract changes, pending ratification.
ARCHIVED NEWS:
7/14/17: Members Approve 2017-2019 Contract.
We are pleased to announce that members have approved our 2017-2019 contract which will provide a total of 4% raises during the two years. Specific details of the contract changes was emailed to members.
6/29/17: Contract Voting Has Now Begun and Ends July 13
Voting on our tentative contract agreement has begun and members were emailed instructions this morning on how to access the electronic ballot. If you are a member and did not receive that email, it was sent to your @maine.edu email address, please send me an email at james.bradley@maine.edu
6/19/17: Tentative Contract Agreement Reached
UMPSA's negotiation team today reached a tentative agreement with UMS on our 2017-2019 contract. "Tentative" means both negotiation teams have reached an agreement and now it will be up to the BOT and UMPSA members to approve or reject the agreement. We will be sending out more information later in the week on how to vote which only dues-paying members have the right to do. Also, we will be scheduling an open meeting prior to the vote so that members can ask the negotiation team any questions they may have about the agreement.
It is the unanimous recommendation of the negotiation team that members approve this agreement. A summary of the agreement was emailed to members earlier today. If you are a member and didn't receive that email, email james.bradley@maine.edu If you aren't a member yet and want to be able to vote on the contract, click on the "Join" tab at the top of this page and submit a membership form prior to June 29th.
5/24/17: Contract Negotiations Update
Members were sent a detailed update on the status of contract negotiations including wage proposals. If you are dues paying member and did not receive that update in your email, email james.bradley@maine.edu If you are not a dues paying member yet you are encouraged to click on the "Join" tab at the top of this page and become a member today!
5/9/17: Contract Negotiations Update
Members were sent a detailed update on the status of contract negotiations including wage proposals. If you are dues paying member and did not receive that update in your email, email james.bradley@maine.edu If you are not a dues paying member yet you are encouraged to click on the "Join" tab at the top of this page and become a member today!
4/22/17: UMPSA Elects State President and Vice President
Congratulations to Neil Greenburg on being re-elected State President of UMPSA at this year's Delegate Assembly. Also, congratulations to Jerry Brokos on being re-elected State Vice President. Both terms run 6/1/17- 5/31/19.
4/17/17: UMPSA's Annual Delegate Assembly to be held April 22nd
UMPSA's Annual Delegate Assembly will be held Saturday, April 22 at UM in Orono. Among other business we will be electing the positions of State President and Vice President. For more information email neiljg@maine.edu
4/5/17: Contract Negotiations Update
Members were sent a detailed update on the status of contract negotiations including both UMPSA and UMS identified issues to be addressed in this round of bargaining. If you are dues paying member and did not receive that update, email james.bradley@maine.edu If you are not a dues paying member yet you are encouraged to click on the "Join" tab at the top of this page and become a member today!
2/8/17: UMPSA Contract Survey
UMPSA is preparing for negotiations with UMS for our 2017-2019 contract. Our first negotiation meeting with UMS will be March 1st. In preparation for negotiations we are asking members to complete an online survey telling us what they like about the contract and what they would like to see changed. Dues-paying members get to directly influence contract negotiations - a benefit that non-members do not receive. Let us know if you are a member, but didn't receive the survey link. If you are not a member yet, we encourage you to consider joining UMPSA today! UMPSA negotiates every important aspect of your job from wages, to benefits, to retirement, and workplace protections. Click on the "Join" tab at the top of this page for more information.
5/19/16: Update on Changes to FLSA (Overtime Provisions for Salaried Employees)
As a follow up to yesterday's communication regarding the FLSA changes, John Bracciodieta (MEA), Jennifer Perry (UMPSA chief negotiator), and I met with Mark Schmelz this morning to begin discussions about how the new changes in the FLSA will affect our unit members. What came out of that meeting is the following:
There are no plans to change anyone's job duties, unit designation, or benefits. Everyone who is currently in the UMPSA unit will be staying in the UMPSA unit.
We are in open discussions with UMS, and will be working over the next few months to figure out how the FLSA changes will be implemented, and what, if any changes will occur regarding how work time and overtime/compensatory time are tracked and addressed.
Both UMS and UMPSA are taking a thoughtful, measured approach to how best to implement these changes with the minimal amount of impact.
We will keep members updated as more information becomes available.
Neil Greenberg
State President, UMPSA
10/1/15: 2015-2017 Contract Approved by Members
Members have overwhelmingly voted to ratify the tentative contract agreement which was reached between UMPSA and UMS for the 2015-2107 contract. The $750 one-time payment should appear in our October 30th paychecks.
UMS Retirement Plan Changes Info. Sessions: April 28, 2014
If you were unable to attend one of the on-campus information sessions organized by UMS to explain the retirement plan changes, you can view one of the presentations online by going to the link below. When you login choose "Panapto" from the drop down menu. User name: hrevent Password: HRevent0
UMS Retirement Plan Changes Presentation
Contract Ratification Results: February 4, 2014
Voting has concluded on the tentative contract. The result of the vote was emailed to members earlier today. Email jbradley@usm.maine.edu if you are a member, but didn't get the email update.
Negotiations Update: January 17, 2014
UMPSA is pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement on our 2013-2015 contract. The details of that agreement were emailed to members earlier today. Email jbradley@usm.maine.edu if you are a member, but didn't get the email update. Only dues-paying members can vote on the contract. If you are not a member and would like to be able to vote, you'll need to join UMPSA before we mail out ballots which will happen next week. For information on joining, click on the "Join" tab at the top of this page.
Negotiations Update: August 12, 2013
As you know, your bargaining team has been hard at work preparing and negotiating for a successor collective bargaining contract. While we are in the early stages of negotiations, the bargaining team felt it was important to let members know the positions of the University at the start of the process.
The University from the outset of negotiations stated that their intent was to present a package proposal that would allow the parties to settle the contract quickly. Unfortunately, the University’s actions do not match its words. Despite the recent sacrifices of employees and the willingness of the Association to work collaboratively on health care issues, the University has decided that the employees need to sacrifice more.
Specifically, the University has made the following “package” proposal to UMPSA:
July 1, 2013- .75% increase
July 1, 2014- 1% increase
These salary increases are contingent on drastic changes to the health insurance benefit currently offered.
The exact words from the University’s proposal are:
“The proposed July 1, 2013 and July 1, 2014 increases are contingent on the parties coming to a final agreement on the overall resolution of the contract in sufficient time to allow for any health plan modifications, wellness initiatives, or employee contribution adjustments necessary for the employer contribution to healthcare to increase no greater than 4% effective January 1, 2014. The offer of .75% and 1% increases are based on savings anticipated from such agreement and its implementation. UMS reserves the right to modify its July 1, 2013 and July 1, 2014 wage proposals should agreement not be reached in sufficient time to achieve the anticipated savings.”
What does all this language mean? It means that the University is only willing to give meager raises if employees agree to absorb all the costs necessary to keep the employer’s health insurance increase to 4% or less. The potential cost increases to you are unlimited.
Under the University’s proposal, employees would be forced into a combination of reduced benefits (increased co-pays and deductibles, restrictions on procedures, greater restrictions where services are provided etc.), increasingly restrictive and intrusive “wellness initiatives” and/or increased employee contributions; all in order to cap the University’s contribution.
An absolute cap on the University’s health care contributions can only mean one thing;
Drastically increasing costs for YOU!
In addition to the cap on health care contributions, other proposals from the University for health care and retirement are vague. One thing is clear, the proposals envision moving toward the University having total control over all major decisions having to do with health insurance and retirement rather than having health insurance and retirement being subject to negotiations.
The message from the University of Maine System through their initial proposal to UMPSA employees seems clear to the UMPSA negotiations team. The message from UMS is:
You cost too much and you need to get cheaper!
In Solidarity!
Your Negotiations Team,
Jennifer Perry, Chief Negotiator, UM
Neil Greenberg, UMPSA President, UM
Leslie Guerrette, UMPSA Vice-President, UMFK
James Bradley, USM-LAC
Tod Detre, UMA
Brian Perkins, UM
Susan Robinson, USM-SWS
Cindy Trimm, UM
John Bracciodieta, MEA Uniserv Director
UPDATE: July 17, 2013
UMS and UMPSA Reach Agreement on Some IT/Procurement Restructuring Issues
UMPSA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UMS which covers how seniority will be handled for IT and Procurement employees who were involuntarily reassigned to University Services The details of that agreement were emailed to members today via the members-only listserv. Please email umpsa.mea@gmail.com if you are a member, but didn't receive that email.
UPDATE: July 2, 2013
UMS IT/Procurement Restructuring
As most of you are aware, the University has undertaken a massive restructuring of both the IT and Purchasing departments. This involves the centralization of these functions out of the System office in Bangor, with many employees in these two departments maintaining their positions on the individual campuses, and others having their jobs eliminated or relocated
Those of you affected by these changes recently received letters from the System office. As expected, these letters provide few specifics. What they do, however, is leave many employees wondering how this will actually work and what is the ultimate fate of their job. Issues, including but not limited to, seniority, making people apply for the “new jobs” that are created as their existing jobs are eliminated, and relocation of positions have many employees worried, and rightfully so.
UMPSA has requested to meet with UMS HR to discuss areas of concern, and as many of the issues are subject to the bargaining process, these meetings will include some members of the Executive Committee and the entire Negotiating team. We will do the best that we can to preserve jobs, seniority, etc.
What we need from you – the affected employees - is to know what are your concerns and questions . Our initial meeting with UMS is scheduled for July 10th, so please forward your questions and areas of concerns to me by Sunday, July 7th. We will not be able to address everything, but would like to gather as much information as we can to be able to start pressing for answers.
Respectfully,
Neil Greenberg
President, UMPSA
neiljg@maine.edu
The following UMPSA members have been appointed to the 2013-2015 Contract Negotiation Team:
jperry30@maine.edu
neiljg@maine.edu
trimm@maine.edu
bperkins@maine.edu
jbradley@usm.maine.edu
UMPSA Contract is Ratified, October 22, 2012
The tentative 2011-2013 contract has been ratified. The contract passed 92% in favor with 8% opposed. Two-thirds of the membership voted. The right to vote on contracts is a benefit of membership and we thank those members who took the time to do so. Another benefit of membership was that members were given the opportunity to attend contract information sessions that explained in detail all aspects of the new contract and allowed them the opportunity to ask questions.
Once the negotiation teams have signed the agreement it will be posted on this website as well as at www.maine.edu UMS hopes to have at least some of the retroactive pay in the November 30 paycheck and will be sending out more information in the near future, including details on upcoming information sessions to explain the new insurance programs.
Finally, if you plan to participate in the wellness incentive to avoid having your share of the insurance premiums increase to 20% early next year, we strongly encourage you to complete Level 1 of the incentive by October 31 so that you can begin paying the lower 10% premium as early as possible.
UMPSA State President, Neil Greenberg, addresses UMS Board of Trustees regarding appointment of USM President Selma Botman to a new UMS postion. - July 9, 2012
Greenberg told trustees "....I'm disgusted that this board sees so little value in its employees that it would rather create a new administrative position than help struggling workers," he said. "$385,000: the cost of a 1 percent salary increase for UMPSA-represented employees; $267,000: the current amount the university has offered. $203,000: Selma Botman's new salary." To read the full text of this story click here.
UMPSA Now Has Local Chapter at USM, July 12, 2012
New USM Chapter Executive Board has been announced. Chapter Officers: President - Jim Bradley, Vice President - Jerry Brokos, Secretary - Sharmon Toner, Treasurer - Hilda Shelton. Board Members At-Large: Shannon Gouzie, Susan Cota, Colleen White, Brenda Webster, William Dunlay, Wendy Benson-Sargent, Lauren Webster, Jeff York, Andrew Dolby and Barbara Kelly
USM Members Begin Organizing Local Chapter, June 13, 2012
Members at the University of Southern Maine have begun the process of organizing a local USM chapter of UMPSA. The first step in this process is to have members nominate people to serve on the local chapter board. Nomination forms were mailed out on June 12th with a deadline to return them by June 22 to Sharmon Toner, 228 Deering Ave, Portland. The next step after tabulating the nominations will be to organize the first chapter meeting. Stay tuned for further updates. If you have any questions feel free to email Jim Bradley or Jerry Brokos.
Negotiations Update June 6, 2012
The University of Maine System has filed a request for fact-finding in our negotiations. There is no way to predict how long the process will be; however, I will post an update to the website and send an e-mail to UMPSA members once a report is filed after the fact-finding.
As you probably know, the UMS has given non-represented salaried employees a .07% across-the-board salary increase effective July 1, 2011. Interestingly enough, the changes to the SECCP regarding Movement Through the Salary Bands that UMPSA proposed in our negotiations have been instituted for non-rep salaried employees, effective July 1, 2011.
I’ll keep you posted. As always, I appreciate your patience during these protracted negotiations.
Yours in Solidarity,
Jennifer Moreau, UMPSA Chief Negotiator
UMPSA Delegate Assembly Held, April 14, 2012
UMPSA delegates from across the state met on Saturday for the Annual Delegate Assembly. Delegates received updates on contract negotiations and conducted business which included re-electing Sharmon Toner of USM state secretary and Gary McGrane of UM state treasurer. Our guest speaker, who spoke to a gathering of delegates from UMPSA, AFUM and ACSUM, discussed his background and the challenges facing the University of Maine System.
Negotiations Update February 23, 2012
I thank you all for your patience as the negotiating team continues to work through the negotiation process. After 13 negotiation sessions without reaching a tentative agreement on salary increases and a few other issues, we filed jointly with UMS for mediation. After 3 sessions, no progress. At this time, we are trying to figure out our next step. I do apologize for not posting an update until now, and wish I had more and better news for you.
Yours in Solidarity,
Jennifer Moreau, Chief Negotiator, UMPSA
UMPSA Members-Only Information List
On Friday, December 2, 2011 UMPSA made some upgrades to our members-only information list and sent out a test message to members (subject was “UMPSA Listserv”). If you are a dues-paying member and received that message then you are all set. If you are a dues-paying member and did not receive the message then please email Jim Bradley at jim.bradley@umpsa.org to request to be added to the list.
For those of you who have not joined UMPSA yet, the members-only listserv is another important benefit of membership. Members are kept up-to-date on important news as it happens! Don’t be left out of the information loop – join UMPSA today!
Information on Health Plan Changes
All University of Maine System employees are encouraged to attend one of the campus sessions being held by CIGNA, the Universties of Maine Health Plan Administrator as of January 1, 2012. For a list of the sessions and information on live or recorded information sessions, please go to:
http://www.maine.edu/system/hr/medical.php
Quick Links
Current Contract
2021-2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement (pdf)
2022 UMPSA / UMS Remote Work MOU and Guidelines (Appendix F in the above CBA) (pdf)
Join Our Union
2021-2022 Enrollment Application
UMPSA UMS Booster MOU - December 2021 (download)
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights (download)
Employee Rights: Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (download)