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FSU Nuts & Bolts: Economic Parameters- Help Seek a True Raise

1/30/2023

Dear Members, 

Last week’s Nuts & Bolts explained how our raise percents are determined. This week we continue by providing you more information and asking you to help us push Governor Healey to set parameters that exceed the consumer price index (CPI) and hence, represent a true raise. 

Parameters? 

This is the term used to describe the percent raises of state employees.  

Who sets the parameters? 

The Governor.    

Most state employee union contracts are on the same schedule (2020-2023).  The year when the contracts expire is when the Governor announces the raise rates.     

Our current contract and the parameters 

Our current contract runs from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2023. Yet, you may recall we did not ratify this contract until February 2022. Why?  Governor Baker did not provide the parameters until Fall 2021, over one year past our prior contract (2017-2020).   The parameters were 2% each year of the contract. 

Baker’s delay in providing parameters (other governors have been late too) resulted in us receiving the first year 2% raise retroactively.   

Time for better parameters 

Governor Healey is getting ready to set the parameters.  We expect her to do so this spring and before our current contract expires.   

We know our state financials are in good shape. The FSU along with other higher education unions believe the Commonwealth’s healthy fiscal situation is the right time to give state employees a raise that meets and exceeds inflation.  

The MTA has already met with the Governor’s advisors to push for higher parameters.  Soon, MTA leaders will meet with Matthew Gorzkowicz, Secretary of Administration and Finance (A&F), the state agency that handles financials.    

If you are not at the table, then you are on the menu

Being in meetings does put us at the table but this is not enough. Why?  Other entities are pushing to receive state funding.  We need to keep reminding A&F and the Governor of the value of her state employees and what we do every day to make the Commonwealth a better place. 

This will only happen when we let the Governor know that behind the MTA are thousands of workers.  We need to tell Governor Healey and Matthew Gorzkowicz that there are real people whose lives are financially impacted.   

What can you do to help get higher parameters? 

We are asking you to join us in our fight for higher raises.    

Petition 

Tell Governor Healey that you support higher parameters.  Sign the petition to let her know you support higher parameters: Petition for a Fair Contract 

What can you do to support public higher education funding? 

Funding our raises is wicked important but so is funding public higher education.    

Higher Ed for All Advocacy Day Tuesday, February 28th, 2023, 10:30 to 2:30pm at the State House

Higher Ed For All is advocating for fully funded community colleges, state universities and UMass campuses to knock down the barriers that too many potential college graduates' encounter.   

Let’s show our legislators that it is time to fully fund public higher education. It is time to no longer fund our campuses on the backs of students and employees.  

Please sign up to attend: Higher Ed for All Advocacy Day.  Coffee and Lunch will be provided. 

A bus will be taking us from UMB to the State House (and back too).  Bus registration:  sign up for the bus Here

We will continue to keep you updated on the parameters.  

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                                 

FSU President                                   

Senior Lecturer II                               

Political Science Department