AMHERST — As new students at the University of Massachusetts began the process of moving onto campus and organizing their belongings, members of the university’s Professional Services Union did some moving and organizing of their own on Wednesday.
More than 200 PSU members participated in a rally that began in front of the UMass Student Union before marching toward the intersection of Massachusetts and Commonwealth avenues. The union, which represents around 2,400 workers at UMass campuses in Amherst and in Boston, is seeking a new contract with the university after more than a year of negotiations.
Nellie Taylor, a member of PSU’s bargaining team, said in an interview with the Gazette that the timing of the rally was meant to show students and their families what the staff that serves them goes through in working for the university.
“We really need the university leaders to start standing up and leading, showing they value the work we do for students every day,” Taylor said. “Give us at least some of what we’re asking for, instead of flat-out rejecting our proposals that we have taken a lot of time to develop.”
Demands by the union in their contract negotiations include protections for members belonging marginalized groups, financial support for immigrant union members and a salary package that Taylor said was more in line with what other state workers have.
Before marching, the union rallied in front of the school’s student union building, with speeches given by several members. Alysha Desharnais, a PSU member who like Taylor is a member of the bargaining team, emphasized to those gathered that many union members were themselves UMass alums.
“We have members who attended the UMass as students, with a promise of a degree that would help them step into a fulfilling career, one that would financially support them,” Desharnais said. “The sick joke is that if you attend UMass as a student and get a job here, you might not even make a living wage.”
Kat Kowalski, a UMass graduate and a PSU member who recently joined the union, said her role working in the UMass Nutrition Education Program was threatened by cuts to federal grants under President Donald Trump’s reconciliation bill in July.
“We are facing the hard reality that we might simultaneously lose years of evidence-based programming in the community and be forced to lay off staff,” Kowalski said. “Our situation highlights the need for protection from federal attacks and the winds of politics.”
UMass spokesperson Melinda Rose said the school was committed to working with PSU to reach an agreement for a new contract.
“The administration will continue to meet and bargain in good faith in accordance with all state and federal laws. The university has met with the PSU bargaining team 30 times since June 2024 in an effort to reach a fair agreement.”
Several union members also spoke to the Gazette about their decision to participate in Wednesday’s rally.
“I’m here today to support my union as well as my fellow workers across campus to fight for fair and equitable raises, fair and comfortable working environments as well as a safe work environments,” said Jordan Tedoldi, who like Kowalski is a new member and UMass alum. “We want to stay here for a long time. We want the university to incentivize us to continue working here.”
PSU member Scott Lodzieski said he was marching to support step raise system for increasing pay for staff members, something other state workers have in Massachusetts. Under that system, workers would see increases in salaries after every year worked for the first 10 years of employment.
“Without that, you can’t get ahead,” Lodzieski said.