We, the undersigned members of the Educational Services Unit, UMass Faculty Federation, Local 1895, are in full support of our negotiation team’s position on merit pay in current negotiations. We understand that the cost of living increases, brought forward by former Governor Patrick last spring, included a .5% increase per year, for those state, non-classified unions that do not have automatic salary increases, commonly referred to as “steps”.

As our union has accepted merit pay in the past of .5%, we are not willing to support an increase in merit pay beyond .5%, which would reduce the cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 3%, which all other state unions employees have agreed to.

We hope that the administration will alter their position on merit pay, so that negotiations can be completed.