A Supportive Workplace, A Brighter Future
At UMass Boston, we're fostering a culture of success. We believe strong relationships drive collaboration and lead to innovation. Employee Relations is committed to facilitating these principles. As the university's chief representative in all labor relations matters, we provide guidance on employment issues and concerns and assist with preventing and resolving issues. Our goal is to ensure the fair and consistent treatment of all university staff.
Bargaining Updates
Updated as of June 20, 2025
Teamsters Local 25 (Lieutenants): This was the first of the 9 unions to reach an agreement and the first state funded contract reached in the UMass system. The parties signed a TA on September 19, 2025, which is pictured below. Sophie Coddington, Labor Relations Specialist (right), signing for the University and Jason Lopes (left), Business Agent, for the Union.
Settled - Pending Implementation:
GEO Local 1596 (Graduate Student Employees): The parties signed an MOA on May 27, 2025. The union is completed it's ratification June 19, 2025 with an overall 98% approval rate. This round, the parties engaged in collaborative bargaining, which involved the use of a facilitator from Cornell University.
Settled - Pending Funding:
NEPBA Local 290 (Patrol & Dispatch): This union reached a signed MOA on May 2, 2025 and is in the process of being approved by the Commonwealth.
Josh McLain, Treasurer for NEPBA 290 sharing: “I’d like to take a moment to sincerely thank each of you for your patience, dedication, and hard work throughout the process of negotiating a fair labor contract for the members of NEPBA Local 290.”
NEPBA Local 285 (Sergeants): Shortly after the Patrol and Dispatch reached agreement, the Sergeants signed their MOA on May 7, 2025. They too are in the process of being approved by the Commonwealth.
FSU (Faculty): After an all day and all-night session on May 15, 2025, the parties reached a tentative agreement (pictured right). The parties officially signed an MOA on June 10, 2025 and ratified Monday June 16, 2025. They too are in the process of being approved by the Commonwealth.
Active Negotiations:
CSU (Classified Staff): Bargaining began in August 2024 and is making steady progress.
DCU (Department Chairs): Bargaining began June 5, 2025.
PSU – A (Professional Staff): Bargaining began in June 2024 and is making steady progress. This unit is shared between the Boston and Amherst campus. The parties engage in negotiations on zoom and by rotating in person sessions on the respective campus’.
PSU – C (Head Coaches): Bargaining began in April 2025 and is making steady progress.
Bargaining Unit Employees
Union Contracts & Collective Bargaining
For an accessible version of any contract, please contact Sophie Coddington.
Non-Unit Professional Employees
Review the Non-Unit Employee Personnel Policy for non-unit professional employees. Non-unit professional positions are not governed by a collective bargaining agreement.