CHANGE: FSU Ratification Vote 2024-2027
6/13/2025
Dear FSU Members,
We are writing because we’ve learned that the Massachusetts State Senate is expecting to vote on a supplemental budget next week. If we act fast, there’s a chance our contract could be included in the legislation, which would allow for our raises to be funded and added to our paychecks in time for the start of the fall semester. Because of this, we feel an urgency to move our ratification process up so we can move as quickly as possible. Therefore, the vote to ratify the contract will now end one day earlier than planned, at 9am on Monday, June 16th. Please vote as soon as you can (see here for details on the ratification process).
While the MTA has told us that it’s possible we could get our contract included in the supplemental funding bill, there are no guarantees. We want to be honest and say that there’s a decent chance – no matter what we do – that we won’t make the Senate vote next week, since after the contract is ratified, it still has to go through the UMass System before it gets included in the funding bill. Still, this gives us a better chance to get our raises sooner, and we think it’s worth a shot.
While we do not like to change the voting window midstream, and we are frustrated that the Administration’s constant delays at every stage of bargaining have put the FSU in this position, we also recognize that our members want the benefits of this contract as soon as possible – including our raises. Hence, the decision to change the voting deadline.
Thank you for your understanding of the change. We will keep you updated every step of the way.
Reminder: Only dues paying members are eligible to vote for ratification.
Sincerely,
Caroline Coscia, Senior Lecturer II, Political Science, FSU President and Core Bargaining Team Member
Jason Rodriquez, Associate Professor, Sociology, FSU Vice President and Co-Chair, Core Bargaining Team
Steve Striffler, Professor, Labor Studies, Co-Chair, Core Bargaining Team
For information on the FSU, links to our contract and bargaining updates, and a calendar of events, see the FSU webpage