University of Massachusetts Boston Employee Union protested against cut-backs which would ultimately eliminate compensatory time for current staff and lessen vacation time, leaving fewer benefits for new staff.
On September 9, a group of union members appeared at the Chancellor’s office sporting bright yellow signs reading, “Contract Protection Zone: UMass Unions United to Protect Our Rights.”
According to the Unions’ petition, the cut-backs proposal includes elimination of compensatory time for professional staff, the elimination of the Salary Administration Program designed for pay equity among staff, and a decrease of vacation and sick leave benefits for new faculty and staff.
Jannelle Quarles, member of the Classified Staff Union, urged Chancellor J. Keith Motley to take action against the proposed cut-backs. “He needs to stop this,” Quarles said. “The Chancellor’s job is to serve the community, and this [cut-back proposal] is against the community.”
The Chapter Board of the Professional Staff Union (PSU) delved into conversation about what they feel UMass Boston has to lose with the decision to make such cuts. Management at UMass Boston proposed to make 50% of all salary increases merit-based, which the union feels will only lead to abuse and “slush funds.”
“We are not a union that sells out new employees just coming in the door in order to protect those who have already built their careers at UMass… We work together to raise ourselves up as a whole, both because it’s right and because we’re stronger that way,” the Chapter Board of PSU declared.
“We’re not fighting for anything outlandish – only benefits, working conditions, opportunities and pay which will enable all of us to serve our students and provide for our families throughout the long and productive careers we relish and deserve,” the Chapter Board added.
Another active union at UMass Boston against the cut-backs includes the Faculty Staff Union. 
The unions proposed an increase of 3.5% for salaries on the first of every July for the next three years with no room for merit pay, whereas management’s proposal is to increase salaries by 1.75% every six months.
Negotiations are however still in progress and further agreements may be reached soon.