In the meantime, here are some things to begin planning for 2027:
- Earn your MTA Bargaining Certificate!
- Many members of the 2024-2027 Bargaining Team and Negotiations Committee, and Silent Bargaining Representative (SBR) Coordinators have earned or are working on their bargaining certificates. In fact, the SBR program was inspired by the Democratized Bargaining workshop! Learn more below.
- Familiarize yourself with our current contract. Ask yourself what you would change if you could, and send your suggestions to the USA office.
- Plan and attend events on the Events Calendar or join a committee to continue to build union power on campus.
Keep an eye on this page and your inbox for ways to help your union prepare for the next bargaining cycle!
“I want to be on the Bargaining Team or the Negotiations Committee. What can I do to prepare for such a role?”
A Bargaining Team and Negotiations Committee member is generally someone with a vested interest in supporting the mission of the University Staff Association. Regardless of your level of experience with unions and contract negotiations, an ideal member of the Bargaining Team and Negotiations Committee is driven by the desire to improve the learning conditions for our students, and the wages and working conditions for themselves and their coworkers across the University.
Whether this is your first time in bargaining, or you’ve bargained for a contract in the past, the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) offers a program where you can learn some of the current best practices in bargaining. The MTA Bargaining Certificate Program is a 24-hour curriculum designed to provide an opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge of beginner negotiators, while deepening and broadening the proficiency of seasoned negotiators in advanced bargaining issues. By teaching participants about the fundamentals of grassroots organizing, and shifting traditional bargaining strategies to create membership-driven campaigns, the program seeks to modernize collective bargaining practices by sharing current best-practices of locals who won major victories in bargaining. And best of all, your participation in these events is completely covered by your annual dues!
After registering for the program, bargaining certificate workshops can be taken at the MTA Summer Conference, the Union Skills Winter Conference, or in between conferences on Zoom or at the Central Regional Office in Worcester, MA. If you have any questions, please email bargaining@massteacher.org or the USA office.
