The Universities of Maine Professional Staff Association (UMPSA) is your partner in the workplace. Here is a breakdown of how we support you and where our authority ends.
1. What UMPSA Does For You
We work to ensure your workload is stable, your pay is fair, and your rights are protected.
- Contract Negotiations:
- Every 2–3 years, UMPSA negotiates your salary increases, retirement benefits, leave time, and tuition waivers… to name just a few.
- Every year, UMPSA negotiates Healthcare Plans as part of the Employee Health Plan Task Force (EHPTF)
- Active Representation: If you face discipline or termination, we provide representation and file grievances if labor law or the contract was violated.
- Workplace Advocacy: We sit on University ad-hoc task forces regarding performance evaluations, health insurance, and review changes to APLs in advance to ensure the staff’s voice is heard.
- Support & Mentorship: We help you navigate University policies, understand your contract rights, and provide guidance on working with your supervisor, management, and HR.
Your “Weingarten Rights”
If you are called into a meeting with a supervisor and believe it could lead to discipline, you have the right to union representation. You can stop a meeting already in progress by saying: “I am requesting union representation.” The meeting must stop until a union rep can join you.
2. Capabilities & Limitations
To manage expectations, it’s helpful to understand what we can—and cannot—legally do.
| What We Can’t Do | What We DO Instead |
| Override Management: We cannot stop the University from assigning work or making business decisions. | Ensure Fairness: We ensure workloads are reasonable and follow Article 14 of our agreement. |
| Stop All Layoffs: We cannot force the University to reverse a layoff based on valid financial or programmatic reasons. | Verify the Cause: We demand proof of a “bona fide” reason and fight for your severance and recall rights. |
| Negotiate “Side Deals”: We cannot negotiate individual raises or perks outside of the general contract. | Access Existing Tools: We help you navigate the official reclassification and equity adjustment processes. |
| Strike: Under Maine law, public employees are prohibited from striking. | Political Advocacy: We lobby the state legislature for budget appropriations and policies that benefit UMS staff. |
| Guarantee Wins: We cannot guarantee the outcome of a grievance or arbitration. | Ensure Due Process: We provide strong representation to ensure the University follows the law and the contract. |
3. Did You Know?
UMPSA’s influence extends into the “fine print” of your daily work life. We negotiated:
- Protections during your probationary period.
- Remote work guidelines and Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) procedures.
- Release time for union leaders and reps to handle business during work hours.
- Sick & Vacation Time and how it accumulates monthly.
4. How to Get Help
- For Contract or Employment Questions: Contact your local Campus/Grievance Representative.
- To Invoke Weingarten Rights: Contact your Campus/Grievance Representative immediately.
- To Share Negotiation Ideas: Keep an eye out for member surveys or email your feedback to UMPSA leadership.
- To Get Involved: If you want to join a committee or start a local chapter, contact Sara Abronze at [email protected]