Frequently Asked Questions: About Membership

  • A: In order to sign up for SHARE, you will sign an authorization for UMass Memorial to deduct dues from your paycheck and send them to the union. You can even sign up online. For full details, check out How to Join.

  • SHARE has staff Organizers who cover multiple areas and departments in the hospital. We also have elected union Reps--SHARE members who are leaders in the union and are available as resources for their coworkers. You can find a full list of SHARE Reps here; if you know your SHARE Organizer you can find their contact information here. And you can always contact our office to figure out who your Organizer or Rep is.  

  • A: Yes. If you are attending a meeting that is discipline-related (management and/or HR are present), you have the right to union representation. Contact your union rep, SHARE organizer, or the SHARE general line to request representation. We can join you for meetings that aren’t discipline related, too. Learn more about union support and representation here.

  • Elections are held annually in the Spring. Learn more and read the latest on the SHARE blog with posts tagged #Elections

  • If you don’t want to be a member and pay dues, you can choose to pay an agency fee instead. Agency fee payers are not members of the union and therefore are not afforded the benefits associated with union membership. However, they do receive the benefits of the union’s representation as it relates to the terms and conditions of their employment. For full details about your rights and options, including if you work remotely outside of Massachusetts, please email share.newmembers@theshareunion.org

  • Absolutely. Our patients and our work come first. But, when we're talking about other things, we're welcome to discuss union issues and events. At times, it would be impossible to do our work without talking about SHARE. We're working hard together to make our work systems work better for us with projects we've set up through our union.

  •  The full SHARE contract is online. You can download and print or search the whole document. Or call the SHARE office (508) 929-4020 if you would like us to bring or mail a hard copy to you. 

  • Elections are held annually in the Spring. Learn more and read the latest on the SHARE blog with posts tagged #Elections