Union actions during big university events can feel uncomfortable—let’s talk about it. I look forward to union actions; I’m happy to spend an hour of my workday among fellow union members, openly and boldly asking for the contract that we deserve. I like union actions because they make me feel empowered and connected as a member of this community. I like union actions because it’s fun to be in community with other people who care about the same things I care about, and shout about our support for one another. I like union actions because they’re impactful; when we show up together and demonstrate how much we care about one another and this community, good stuff happens.
But I have heard concerns from some members about hyper-visible actions like this one, and the effect they might have on campus mood. I absolutely hear those concerns, and I’d like to respond to two in particular.
Disruptive or constructive?
The action on 8/27 at noon is not about disrupting campus on move-in day, but about gathering attention and sharing information with the campus community about our fight to win a fair contract. We will be welcoming students and their families to campus and sharing crucial information with them.
I know some people will disagree, but I want to challenge members who are concerned about the idea of disrupting move-in to consider the fact that our new and returning students are already being disrupted by the very things we are fighting to change. Our working conditions are the living, learning, and eating conditions of our students and our low wages and outrageous workloads lead to turnover and burnout among the staff members that advise them through their academic journey, who provide counseling and support when they need help, who provide a safe, fun, and educational living environment in our residences halls… I could go on and on, listing all the ways that staff contribute to the success of our students. Our fight is their fight, and our wins will be their wins. Telling them about it is an important part of the process.
Bringing honesty to the situation
What students and families are going to hear from us is that we care about this community and we care about the conditions they will receive crucial services in—advising, counseling, dining, support services—what’s more positive than that?
I know this to be true because I’ve done it! I talked to students and their families with other PSU members at Destination Days in February and had some excellent conversations with folks about our contract fight. Students and their families want to have a high quality, consistent campus experience, and are receptive to our fight for a better contract to help deliver that experience to them. Most of the parents and students I spoke with that day thanked me for sharing. Some of them did it out of politeness, but many of them wanted to know more and asked how they could help. One dad gave me a fist bump and told me to keep fighting.
I want to be clear—this action will feel like a negative event to management. They do not want us to keep fighting for this contract. They want us to continue to languish with low wages and unfair workloads. They want our cost of living adjustments (meant to keep our wages up with inflation) to be doled out through a merit system where not all members will receive an increase, And they want to make it easier to fire us, and harder for us to fight discrimination in the workplace.
They are counting on us giving up. Let’s prove them wrong.
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Carley Paleologopoulos is the Assistant Director for Advising and Academic Initiatives in the Undergraduate Student Success Center. She has worked at UMass as a PSU staff member since 2019. She hasn’t received COLA since sometime in 2024. According to the U.S. economic data, life has gotten almost 3% more expensive since then. Based on the MIT Living Wage calculator, Carley’s salary falls below what is required to meet minimum standards of living in her community. When PSU and its members win a salary steps system, Carley may finally have a fair shot at affording a home, feeling appreciated in her workplace, and being correctly compensated for the expertise she brings to her important role on campus.
