As postdocs, our Union creates community. As workers, we have power in numbers.
The Union bargains your contract as an employee at UMass. This contract covers workplace rights and protections, benefits, salary minima, and your right to a grievance process if the contract is violated.
Our strength is in our membership and the actions we are willing to take to make working as a postdoc at UMass a dignified and rewarding experience.
Welcome to the PRO (Postdoctoral Researchers Organizing), the postdoc Union at UMass Amherst! While life as a postdoc should be an exciting time, it can also be stressful and fast-paced. Personal and professional obstacles can distract from your work or make your postdoc experience harder than necessary. As one of seven postdoc unions across the country, the PRO/UAW Union at UMass Amherst is happy you have joined our community. We are here to help you resolve issues you might face during your time at UMass, help you organize for better working conditions, and to bargain your pay, benefits, and workers rights protected by the PRO contract. Our union was formed in 2010 and since then we have worked to negotiate fair and equal pay, affordable healthcare, and a myriad of other benefits that were not previously available. For instance, we recently negotiated a new contract with substantial pay increases to bring up salary minima anywhere from 5%-9%, fought and won recognition for postdoc fellows as employees of the University (eligible for benefits/institutional access) , and won the establishment of a Visa Reimbursement Fund of up to $1000/person for International postdocs. Our (virtual) doors are always open for any questions that arise during your time as a UMass Amherst postdoc. These questions can center on personal situations, relocation logistics, departmental issues, or general information regarding our small, but tight-knit community.
As a Union, our strength lies solely in our membership and while there are many ways to get more involved in building our power, it starts with becoming a dues paying member. Becoming a member of the Union is not only beneficial for you, but for future postdocs as well. The chart below outlines ways in which your Union dues come right back to you in the form of benefits that cost you very little because of your Union. These benefits include a Childcare Reimbursement Fund through the Health and Welfare Trust Fund and a Visa Reimbursement Fund won in our last contract. Benefits like these are part of what makes PRO a remarkable and strong Union: we fight to make postdoctoral research at UMass more equitable for our most marginalized members, and we need YOU to continue this fight.
| Without PRO | With PRO | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| $4729.92/year Health Insurance Premium | $1182.48/year Health Insurance Premium | 5%-15% annual raises to salary minima, based on years experience as a postdoc |
| $1000/year Dental Insurance | $162/year Dental Insurance | Paid Sick Time |
| $12,000/year Childcare Costs | $0-$2400/year Childcare Costs (childcare reimbursement through HWT Fund is typically 75%-100%) | Paid Vacation Time |
| $200/year Vision Insurance + $150/year frames/contacts | $0/year Vision Insurance, $0 frames/contacts | Paid Medical and Parental Leave |
| $289/year Parking Pass (Green Lot, other lots range from $570-$1456) | $154/year Parking Pass (Green Lot, other lots range from $63-$727) | Workplace Protections, Right to File a Grievance |
| $350 Visa/Visa-Related Fees | $0 (via new Visa Fund, postdocs eligible for up to $1000 in reimbursements) | Group Life Insurance, Prepaid Legal Plan |
| TOTAL COST TO YOU | TOTAL COST TO YOU | Paid Holidays |
| $18698.92 | $1498.58 |
The more members we have, the more power we have to negotiate more benefits and more importantly, keep the benefits we have worked so hard to earn. We therefore ask you to consider becoming a member today. If you have further questions about the PRO/UAW Union, feel free to reach out to us at any time.
In solidarity,
Your PRO/UAW Union
Danielle is a postdoc in the department of Computer Science.
david@uaw2322
"The Union is a place where I can belong by connecting with and supporting my co-workers. It is a privilege for me to serve our membership as a PRO co-chair. I believe that our collective power can support social-justice, strengthen our contract, working conditions, and improve our lives.
In Solidarity, -Danielle Allessio CICS" Postdoc
When I got a fellowship, and I was ecstatic to hear the news, but I quickly found out that UMass kicked fellowship-holders out of the Union and classified me as a contractor with no health benefits. It was essential a demotion for bringing outside funding to the University. The Union helped me and others file a grievance and fought back. The University changed its position. Without the Union, I think I'd still be on the private market.
I joined the Union because I was unsatisfied with the support for incoming International Postdocs. By attending meetings of the Union, I have learned a lot about the difficulties that different Postdocs face, and how to help solve them. Personally, I have benefited from a lot of bargaining that was done by the Union prior to my starting date - let it be Health Insurance or Reduced Parking Costs. The Union offers me a sense of empowerment and safety, when I am facing trouble. I am truly honored to be one of the Co-Chairs.
… Please join us Thursday, 7/27 at 2 PM EST on ZOOM. In this meeting we will discuss some critical and time-sensitive updates, including a plan for kicking off negotiations for PRO’s next contract! So Read more…
Paralegals and other staff at the Immigration Law Firm in Northampton, MA have just gone public with their new Union, which is part of our Local UAW 2322. Click on the link to read more Read more…
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