SHARE Updates: 2026 Dues Increase, UBT Highlights & More

First off, a big thank you to the hundreds of SHARE members who wrote messages on behalf of our hospital to Blue Cross Blue Shield, encouraging them to settle the contract negotiations. SHARE’s Executive Board also wrote a strong letter urging a fair contract agreement.

Days after those messages were sent, the announcement came that a three-year deal had been reached, keeping UMass Memorial hospitals and physicians in-network for BCBSMA members, welcome news for the hospital finances, and for our many BCBSMA patients who depend on care here.

---

2026 Dues Rates Announced

Every year around this time, SHARE's parent union, AFSCME, announces the dues rates for the coming year. Dues usually increase a little bit each January. Dues support the work of our union, and are an important investment in yourself and your co-workers. Read the full post on the SHARE Blog for details about how dues rates are determined, and how they benefit you.

The 2026 regular weekly dues rate for SHARE members will be $11.57. That is an increase of $0.37 per paycheck, or less than one cent per hour if you work 40 hours per week. For members working 20 hours/week, the 2026 weekly rate will be $8.66.

Nobody wants to spend on an investment that doesn’t pay off. There’s more in the blog post that describe the benefits. Importantly, dues support the work to negotiate for good raises. Here’s an answer to one question that SHARE hears often . . .

---

SHARE UBTs:

Good News from the Partnership Office

SHARE members continue to use their Unit Based Teams to make it easier to do work they can be proud of — saving money, improving patient care, and reducing headaches in the day-to-day work. Check out the latest newsletter from the SHARE-UMass Memorial Partnership Office for more about the recent UBT successes, plus a whole bunch of fun photos.

---

UBT Spotlight: Denials & Specialty Billing

The above UBT newsletter points out that one team recently implemented a project that’s saving our hospital an estimated $100,000 or more per year. But that’s not all there is to know about the Denials and Specialty Billing UBT. They’re cultivating a welcoming environment for continuous improvement. They thrive on teamwork, listening to and encouraging one another. Learn more about how they work together — and hopefully find some helpful ideas for your own department — in this spotlight on the Denials and Specialty Billing UBT.

---

Know Your Department’s Severe Weather Policy

Winter’s a-coming. Does your department have a clearly-established policy for what to do when the snow gets heavy? Learn more about what the SHARE contract says about inclement weather.

Know Your Department Weather Policy

With Winter coming, SHARE Reps have begun having conversations again about the severe weather policy that SHARE negotiated with our hospital.

The full policy is posted below. The short summary is this: "All employees are expected to report to work, unless the severe weather plan in their department allows them to stay home." If you do not know if there’s a department-specific plan for your area, you should check with your supervisor or manager.

Please take good care when making decisions about traveling in extreme weather. Also, please contact the SHARE office (508-929-4020) if you have questions, or would like help developing or revising a plan in your own department.

severe weather

from SHARE-UMass Memorial Contract Agreement, page 82

UMass Memorial is an essential community service and as such will continue its operations without regard to weather conditions. However, UMass Memorial and SHARE recognize that severe weather conditions can interfere with the ability of employees to come to work, and agree to the following:

Staffing plans

The CNO, CMO, Hospital President and Vice-Presidents are responsible for developing a fair and equitable staffing plan to ensure continued essential services, and for informing employees of staffing and attendance requirements.

In order for employees to know what their responsibilities are in the case of severe weather, departments are encouraged to develop plans for their areas within the framework of the hospital plan described above. Employees are encouraged to participate in the development of the plan for their department. Department severe weather plans could include: what staffing level is required in the case of severe weather (such as full staffing, skeletal staffing, or no staffing necessary); how employees will find out if they are required to be at work that day, who to call and how to reach them; and whether there is a difference in their department between the plan for severe weather and the plan for a declared state of emergency. Department managers should review the severe weather plan for their department with all employees annually before winter weather begins.

All employees are expected to report to work, unless the severe weather plan in their department allows them to stay home.

Staying at work

Employees who are working during severe weather conditions are expected to work through the end of their assigned work shift unless they are excused earlier. In extreme situations, employees may be required to work beyond the end of their normal scheduled work shift if the manager determines it necessary to meet patient care and operational needs. SHARE overtime rules will apply.

Department closing, early dismissal
If a department is closed for all or part of the day due to severe weather, employees may go home (see pay for missed hours) or choose to report to/remain at work. The hospital may assign people who stay at work to perform different functions than their normal job. For a work assignment in an area other than your own, page the nursing supervisor/bed management: for the University campus, pager #2044; for the Memorial campus (on evenings, nights, weekends and holidays) pager #3318.

Grace period for late arrivals
The office of the CEO or his/her designee may establish a paid grace period for arriving late to work. The length of the grace period will be based on the severity of the weather conditions.

Pay for missed hours

Other than late arrivals covered by an established grace period, employees who miss all or part of their work shift may use earned, vacation or personal time, or choose to go unpaid for the hours they missed. When appropriate, an employee may make up the time that week, by mutual consent between the employee and the supervisor. Made up hours will be paid at straight time unless weekly hours total more than 40.

Excused and unexcused absences
If an employee does not work because the department is closed, or because they are not required to come to work, it will be considered an excused absence. Late arrivals covered by an established grace period will be considered an excused absence. Other absences from work on a severe weather day will be considered unexcused.

Transportation

When severe weather makes travel unsafe, or in a state of emergency, transportation assistance may be available. Requests for assistance should be directed to the nursing supervisor/bed management: for the University campus, pager #2044; for the Memorial campus (on evenings, nights, weekends and holidays) pager #3318. When necessary, communication with external bodies such as the National Guard and ambulance carriers will be coordinated through these offices.

2026 Dues Rates Announced

Every year around this time, SHARE's parent union, AFSCME, announces the dues rates for the coming year. Dues usually increase a little bit each January (see below for how the amount is determined).

The 2026 regular weekly dues rate for SHARE members will be $11.57. That is an increase of $0.37 per paycheck, or less than one cent per hour if you work 40 hours per week. For members working 20 hours/week, the 2026 weekly rate will be $8.66.

WHY SHOULD I PAY DUES?

Dues are an investment that SHARE members make in themselves and their coworkers. Without a union, employees have very little leverage to make change, or even to hold onto what they have.

SHARE members want respect for the work that they do, fair treatment, opportunities for advancement, and good raises so that they can take care of themselves and their families. SHARE gives employees a voice in various ways:

• In contract negotiations, we have a voice in our pay, benefits and work policies.

• Through committees, Unit Based Teams, and day-to-day negotiations, we have a voice in issues that face groups of SHARE members

• In union meetings and individual conversations, we have a voice in the direction and priorities of the union

• Through the problem-solving process, we have a voice when individual problems/conflicts come up at work

• In union elections, we have a voice in who our representatives will be

When it comes down to dollars and cents, dues pay for themselves. SHARE has consistently negotiated raises each year since 1997 when SHARE became a union. Those increases have resulted in notably better pay rates than non-union counterparts. Among other things, our hospital also continues to contribute to the Defined Benefit Pension plan of all SHARE members, as well as continuing to pay 85% of Health Insurance premium costs.

Working together through the union, SHARE members can continue to make progress in all these areas. And dues support the staff who support this work.

How Do Union Dues Compare to My Raise?

They’re not even close! When it comes to a monetary cost-benefit analysis, dues clearly pay themselves off. Consider how the math works . . .

• The lowest raise that a SHARE member could get this year (at 40 hours) was $1.00 x 40. That’s a raise of $40 per week, before taxes.

• SHARE Union Dues: in January, SHARE union dues will go up 37 cents per week.

• By itself, the raise on your first hour worked each week more than pays for that increase.

• $40.00 - $0.37 = $39.63 raise per week (at least)

Am I Required to Pay Dues?

Because all employees working in the SHARE bargaining unit at UMass Memorial receive the benefits negotiated by our union, all employees are legally required to contribute through membership or through a paycheck deduction authorized by a “Fair Share” card.

If you have questions or would like to sign a Fair Share card, please call the SHARE office and leave a message at 508-929-4020 or email share.comment@theshareunion.org.

Only members can run for union leadership positions, vote in union elections, and participate in benefits programs such as UnionPlus.

HOW ARE DUES CALCULATED?

Any annual increase is calculated by the AFSCME International office based on the average percent increase of AFSCME members’ pay rates across the country in the previous year.

WHERE DO MY DUES GO?

The short answer is that dues mostly pay for SHARE staff.

The longer answer is that SHARE members at UMass Memorial pool their dues money with members of three other unions locals: SHARE at UMass Chan Medical School, HUCTW at Harvard University, and USW at Cambridge Health Alliance. The four union locals together are called the New England Organizing Project (NEOP). All their dues together pay for the union staff for all the locals, union offices, phones and utilities, mailings, etc. About 75% of the budget is for staff.

The staff spend their time gathering information and opinions from members, sharing information with members, developing and supporting SHARE Reps, helping members with questions or problems, negotiating contracts, organizing events, researching issues, writing blog posts, etc., all on behalf of SHARE members.

MORE INFORMATION

If you would like to know more, please talk to a SHARE Rep, email share.comment@theshareunion.org, or call 508-929-4020. You can also learn more about what our union does, and the benefits of union membership, by exploring www.sharehospitalunion.org.

From the Partnership Office: Fall 2025 UBT Newsletter

UBT Spotlight: Denials and Specialty Billing

The Success Story of the Denials and Specialty Billing UBT

UMass Memorial’s Denials and Specialty Billing Department is “Busy,” as their Director Dan Rossi puts it, “thirteen months out of the year.”  And yet, their Unit Based Team (or, UBT)  has found a formula for success, one that’s rooted in culture, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Speaking about their “Finding 4%” project to SHARE members and caregivers from throughout UMass Memorial at a recent UBT Peer Learning Event, SHARE UBT Co-Lead Mary Jacquot joked, “You can all stop looking, we found all of the 4% money right here.”

It was a wry joke, but there’s an important truth underlying it. The Denials team knows that they’re often a last line of defense for recovering money that’s owed to our hospital. Without good systems and good communication, high dollar accounts can time out. A single mishandled claim can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue or more.

Not every hospital department can reconfigure its processes to eliminate waste in a way that results in as much financial gain, but many of their Team’s successes can be recreated by SHARE members throughout the system, with powerful results.

What Makes This Team Stand Out?

SHARE UBT Co-Lead Mary Jacquot sums up her approach to the work with three words: “open, honest, and unafraid.” Mary’s worked long enough to recognize that fear can stifle progress—fear of managers, fear of looking uninformed, fear of admitting mistakes. She’s seen it in her previous work experience, and works to inspire a different mindset.

The department manager and fellow Co-Lead, Kaitlyn Licht, regularly participates in these meetings, too, along with area Director and Team Co-Sponsor, Dan Rossi. SHARE members on the team credit their current management team’s listening ear and democratic work-style as a major contributor to the team’s positive culture.

Listening to the Front Lines

Even with the most supportive management team, it can sometimes seem harder when “the boss” is looming. But Mary encourages SHARE members to be assertive wherever possible: when at least one brave voice breaks the silence, it paves the way for others.

 “Nobody knows everything, and that’s okay. UBT meetings are a safe space where ideas flow freely,” Mary says. When one person speaks up during one of their remote Team meetings, others on the WebEx screen nod in agreement, reinforcing a shared understanding.

Department manager and management Co-Sponsor Kaitlyn Licht emphasizes openness to ideas, especially from those in the trenches. Competing ideas can be tough, she says, but this team embraces the challenge, knowing that innovation often comes from healthy discussion.

Celebrating Wins and Building Trust

The team recently reached Level 4 on their UBT Path to Performance, which you can see in the below slide-deck, and is aiming to reach the highest step in that path, Level 5—a testament to their commitment to growth. Many members are enrolled in Yellow Belt training, and leaders are stepping up by taking programs such as Leading at the Speed of Trust.

Gratitude is also woven into their culture: department notes with kudos and recognition through UMatter keep morale high. While UMatter entries go into staff files, the real magic is in how this team regularly celebrates one another.

At a recent Labor-Management Partnership Council meeting, Dan Rossi admitted that they’re not formally tracking all their improvements the way that they used to, but that’s only because the continuous improvement cycle has become so engrained in their workflows that it’s second nature.

The team’s progress is tracked and cheered on by Jackie Zhou, a Continuous Improvement Coach in the SHARE/UMass Memorial Labor Management Partnership Office. “We are incredibly proud of the team for reaching their Level 4 UBT milestone,” she says. “After coaching this UBT for the past two years, I’ve witnessed a powerful culture shift in the last year. Continuous improvement has truly become second nature, and every team member is empowered to bring forward ideas and turn them into real solutions. Keep it up!”

Looking Ahead

Opportunities like the Seed Grant are on the horizon. Kaitlyn’s idea to use it for multilingual patient letters—especially Portuguese—shows how this team thinks beyond the immediate task to improve patient experience.

The Secret Sauce?
The example set by Denials and Specialty Billing isn’t just a method for reaching status as a Level 4 UBT — it’s a formula for success.

Of course, formulas only go so far. But! We know if we could bottle it up their secret sauce, it would contain a few key ingredients:

• Fearless communication: Open, honest, and unafraid.

• Shared accountability: Everyone on the same page.

• Ongoing improvement: Measuring what matters.

• Continuous learning: Certifications and leadership programs.

• Culture of gratitude: Celebrating each other’s contributions.

Congratulations to this UBT for reaching Level 4! We’re grateful to the whole Denials and Specialty Billing Department for the work you do to keep the revenue flowing to our hospital, and for setting a beautiful example of what good communication and teamwork can do.

SHARE Updates: Health Insurance Changes & Open Enrollment

SHARE organizers have recently heard concerns about upcoming changes to health insurance, especially regarding increases to health insurance costs, UMass Memorial’s negotiations with BCBSMA and audit of dependents, and the fact that insurers are significantly restricting coverage of GLP-1s.  

Please note also that Open Enrollment takes place this year from October 20-November 7. As a cost-saving measure, the hospital will not mail open enrollment booklets to your home this year. Instead, you will get emails with a link, and a postcard at home with a QR code that take to you the information on-line. If you don’t want to change anything, or sign up for a flexible spending plan, then you don’t need to do anything for open enrollment this year.

Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions from SHARE members . . .

---

Q: Can I continue to receive my care at UMass Memorial next year if I have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance?

 

A: YES! SHARE members and their families who get their insurance through UMass Memorial will still have the same access to health care at UMass Memorial locations.

A recent memo to UMass Memorial caregivers, dated October 9, clarifies: “UMass Memorial employees and dependents with coverage through the UMass Memorial Health BCBSMA plan will still have access to all UMass Memorial facilities and physicians at their in-network benefit level.” That is regardless of the outcome of current negotiations with the between UMass Memorial and Blue Cross.

---

 

Q: What’s happening in negotiations with Blue Cross?

 

A: UMass Memorial and Blue Cross are negotiating about reimbursement rates for next year. SHARE hopes that they will be able to agree, but doesn’t have additional information.

 

The hospital also describes in the memo to caregivers, “We want to make you aware that our agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) for their commercial products expires on December 31, 2025. Although we continue to negotiate in good faith for a successor contract, there is the potential that UMass Memorial providers and hospitals will be out-of-network for 2026.” (Again, this does not apply to employees and their families who get their health insurance through UMass Memorial.)

SHARE is optimistic that these institutions can resolve their differences and come to an agreement that’s good for our patients: failure to renew the contract would have substantial impacts for our healthcare system. Regardless the outcome, however, it’s again important to note that that coverage won’t change for UMass Memorial employees as a result.

---

 Q: Are health insurance premiums going up more than usual this year?

 

A: Yes, health insurance rates are increasing more than in recent years.

A recent memo sent to hospital employees from UMass Memorial names that, effective January 1, 2026, “Caregivers will see an increase in premiums related to medical and dental plans.” Although it is standard each year that the insurers increase the rates, we do anticipate that the rates will go up more this year than has been typical. What does NOT change in January are plan details such as co-pay amounts, and importantly, our Contract Agreement regarding the “premium split” for SHARE members. In other words, UMass Memorial pays 85% of the cost of the premiums, including any 85% of the upcoming increases. While we all hate to see the costs going up, the upshot is that you’ll be responsible to pay for only 15% of that increase.

The chart below shows the increases for SHARE members.

---

Q: Is my husband getting kicked off of my health insurance plan?

 

A: No

Some SHARE members have raised concerns about the recent announcement that UMass Memorial will undertake a “verification of dependents” in order to remove ineligible participants. Please note that the eligibility requirements themselves are not changing: current spouses, dependent children under the age of 26, etc. will continue to remain covered.

---

Q: Where can I buy union-made Halloween candy?

 

A: Check Out this List from the AFL-CIO

 

Okay, maybe that’s not exactly a frequently-asked question, but it’s a good idea to support union businesses and help make sure that American workers have a say in their workplace.

---

Q: Is my health insurance going to stop covering my GLP-1 prescription?

 

A: Maybe.

 

Insurers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, are cutting back their coverage of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss, and UMass Memorial says it’s doing the same. However, some medical conditions, such as diabetes, will still typically qualify for the coverage. This article from WBUR explains why the insurers say they are doing this. SHARE has asked HR a bunch of questions to understand this more because we know it matters a lot to many SHARE members. We will continue to share with you what we learn.

---

Q: What else do I need to know about Open Enrollment this year?

A: Open Enrollment takes place from October 20-November 7

The hospital will not mail open enrollment booklets to your home this year, as a cost-saving measure. Instead you will get emails with a link, and a postcard at home with a QR code that take to you the information on-line. If you don’t want to change anything, or sign up for a flexible spending plan, then you don’t need to do anything for open enrollment this year. Find more details in the memo from UMass Memorial, copied below.

---

Open Enrollment Details from UMass Memorial

If you missed the email from Adriana Florez, UMass Memorial VP for Human Resources, describing this year’s Open Enrollment process, it’s copied below. You can also check your inbox for this message with the subject heading “Open Enrollment Is Coming!” dated October 29.

To: UMass Memorial Health Benefits Eligible Non-Union Caregivers

From: Adriana Florez, Vice President, Human Resources Business Partnering and Service Delivery, UMass Memorial Health    
Diane Sarkisian, Senior Director, Benefits, UMass Memorial Health

Date: October 9, 2025

Subject:    Open Enrollment Is Coming!

Open enrollment is coming for benefits-eligible employees at all UMass Memorial Health entities.
 
This year’s open enrollment period will run from Monday, October 20 through Friday, November 7 and will be completed in Workday. Postcards with information on how to access the 2026 Benefits Guide are being mailed to homes.
 
What’s in store for 2026:

Open enrollment will be “passive” this year. This means that UMass Memorial benefits-eligible employees do not have to re-enroll in benefits for 2026 (with the exception of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)). Your current, 2025 benefit selections will carry over into 2026. However, if you wish to make changes to your current benefit selections, you will need to make those changes in Workday between Monday, October 20 and Friday, November 7.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) require re-enrollment every year.

If you are making changes for 2026, those must be completed in Workday during the open enrollment period. View this job aid or visit the Open Enrollment Hub page for more information and instructions.

 
Additional changes:
As part of the organization’s ongoing financial sustainability efforts, some additional changes will be in effect for benefits and wellness offerings in fiscal year 2026. Visit the Financial Sustainability Hub page to learn more about these and other changes.
 
Questions about this year’s open enrollment?
Should you have questions, please call the HR Solution Center Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm at 508-334-8800 and select option 2.

SHARE Updates: MA Apprenticeship, College Scholarships, and Financial Outlook

SHARE-UMASS Memorial Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program: celebrating the First Wave of Graduates!

The SHARE-UMass Memorial Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program recently recognized its first graduating class—the first registered apprenticeship in healthcare in Central Massachusetts. The event was attended by hospital and SHARE leaders, as well as state officials, including Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler, who praised the graduates as examples of the value of investing in workforce development.

Graduates expressed deep appreciation for the program, which provided career advancement opportunities without the financial burden of traditional education. “The Medical Assistant Apprenticeship program was simply amazing. UMass Memorial provided me career growth at a time in my life when I could not afford to further my education. I am so grateful to feel fulfilled daily by providing compassionate care to our patients everyday,” said SHARE member and recent graduate Maggie Warfield.

SHARE union leaders have worked hard with UMass Memorial’s Workforce Development team to design and support the program, knowing that its “earn-and-learn” model makes career growth accessible to working members. With a second cohort underway and a third beginning, the program is growing and continuing to provide important opportunities to SHARE members.

SHARE proudly celebrates the success and dedication of all of the participants! Congratulations graduates!

---

Changes in Healthcare: Nationally, and Right Here

SHARE members have been asking about some of the recent hospital communications about finances, which describe a $25 million loss in FY25 and potential future Medicaid cuts that could cost the hospital up to $100 million annually. UMass Memorial leadership has launched a “Find the 4%” initiative to improve financial sustainability by increasing efficiency and reducing waste. SHARE is actively contributing through Unit Based Teams (UBTs), which empower SHARE members to identify and implement practical improvements in their departments. These efforts aim not only help to stabilize the hospital’s finances but also make work more satisfying and effective for SHARE members. Read more here.

---

Union Plus Scholarship Application Process: Now Open

Union Plus is now accepting applications for their 2026 scholarship awards, which help union families with the cost of college, through awards ranging from $500 to $4000. The application deadline is January 31, 2026.

Current and retired members of SHARE, their spouses, and their dependent children are eligible. At least one year of continuous union service by the applicant is required.

Nationwide Changes in Healthcare, and How We're Adapting Here

Many SHARE members have been talking about UMass Memorial’s increasing focus on cost-savings, with questions about the hospital’s finances and why we need to cut costs. SHARE members are also implementing ideas which are already having a real impact on the hospital’s bottom line.

What’s Happening?

You may have seen the recent Financial Sustainability update from Dr. Eric Dickson, CEO of UMass Memorial Health, providing an overview the financial challenges faced by our hospital system, including a $25M loss at UMass Memorial Health in FY25.

Federal cuts to Medicaid are expected to have a substantial impact on our hospital’s budget, beginning in Fiscal Year 2027

Dr. Dickson’s message (from “The Thread” on October 9th), outlines measures to further address these issues in FY26, and to stem the projected impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on safety net hospitals like our own. Dr. Dickson also praised the work of UMass Memorial employees toward those cost savings through the Find the 4% initiative, an effort to re-calibrate hospital finances by enhancing revenue and decreasing spending throughout the system.

The federal government is currently shutdown over disagreement about Medicaid cuts for this year and their effect on Medicaid patients. Medicaid cuts planned for 2027 will have an even bigger impact on the UMass Memorial’s budget. Estimates vary on the impact of those cuts – one estimate is that the hospital would lose $100+ million.

For a more in-depth analysis, you can also listen to this interview with Dr. Dickson in The Commonwealth Beacon’s podcast, “The Codcast.”

How SHARE Members Are Responding

Recently, SHARE Unit Based Teams have turned some attention to the hospital’s “Finding 4%” campaign. UBTs give SHARE members opportunities to design the work in their own departments, and put SHARE members at the center of the decision-making about things that matter to them. The purpose of UBTs is to make it feel better to come to work, and to make it easier to be able to do work we can feel proud of. Here’s a glimpse of some of the UBT projects to “Find 4%”:

The above list names a number of UBT projects aimed at cutting costs, especially through cutting wasteful practices

Making the Difference in Your Department

A commonsense way to make things more efficient in your workplace is to look for things that are redundant or wasteful. Smoothing things out can make work feel better, too. To get the ideas going, here’s the guide that the SHARE-UMass Memorial Continuous Improvement Coaches use with their Unit Based Teams

Union Plus Scholarship Application Process Now Open

Union Plus is now accepting applications for their 2026 scholarship awards, which help union families with the cost of college, with awards ranging from $500 to $4000. The application deadline is January 31, 2026.

Current and retired members of SHARE, their spouses, and their dependent children are eligible. At least one year of continuous union service by the applicant is required.

---

Signing Up for Union Plus Benefits: What to Know

In addition to scholarships, Union Plus offers a wide range of perks and benefits to SHARE members. Signing up is quick and easy.

When selecting your union from the dropdown menu, please choose “AFSCME (State, County, and Municipal Employees)”

SHARE is also known as AFSCME Local 3900

All SHARE members qualify for Union Plus benefits

---

Since 1991, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $5.9 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education. More than 4,200 families have benefited from our commitment to higher education. 

Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program Graduation

SHARE member Afia Damptey, who works as a MA in UMass Memorial’s Spine Center, spoke at the graduation. “I didn’t realize how much this program was going to change me and further my education,” Afia said. “At UMass Memorial Health, you can become whoever you want to be.”

Celebrated by state legislators, managers, SHARE organizers, and friends and family, twelve brand new Medical Assistants graduated from their apprenticeships. They are the first graduates of the SHARE-UMass Memorial Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship program, the first healthcare registered apprenticeship in Central Mass. Josh Cutler, Undersecretary of Labor, joined us to celebrate first healthcare apprenticeship in Central Mass. “In Massachusetts…our greatest natural resource is our people; it’s our skilled workforce. You are a shining example of us building and investing in our workforce,” Cutler said to the graduates.

And the graduates have appreciated the opportunity. SHARE member Maggie Warfield says, “The Medical Assistant Apprenticeship program was simply amazing. UMass Memorial provided me career growth at a time in my life when I could not afford to further my education. I am so grateful to feel fulfilled daily by providing compassionate care to our patients everyday. Kellie from SHARE was instrumental in helping me find the best clinic for me! She truly is invested in the MA Apprenticeship Program. Kellie and SHARE are constantly looking into ways to help UMass Memorial employees advance their careers.”

The MA Apprenticeship program includes seven weeks of classroom work at Quinsigamond Community College, which lauds the graduates on their own website, here. Coursework is followed by one year working as a Medical Assistant in a clinic with preceptor support. Participants must then pass a national exam.

The second group of MAs is currently performing their apprenticeship; a third cohort is just beginning, and we’re looking forward to more.

SHARE leaders have worked hard to help establish this apprenticeship and make it work well, knowing that the earn-and-learn aspect of these kinds of programs make it possible for SHARE members who might not otherwise be able to find the time and money to go back to school.

SHARE Organizer Kellie Morton puts it like this, “On behalf of SHARE, I would like to congratulate the first class of UMass Memorial’s Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program. I’ve watched how hard you have worked and how dedicated you have been to achieving this goal. I am so proud of you! SHARE is so proud of this program, and proud of all of you!”

It’s true. SHARE is extremely proud of all of the MA Apprenticeship Program participants, and is especially happy to recognize this pioneering first cohort. Congratulations, graduates!

New Course Sessions from UMass Memorial Workforce Development

Your Pension & 401k: Upcoming SHARE Information Sessions

Raise time is a great time to revisit your financial plans for your future self! The next raise for SHARE members goes into effect on September 28 (4% increase, or $1.00 per hour, whichever is greater).

Your Pension and 401K 

• Did you know that you have a pension? SHARE has negotiated with UMass Memorial to establish and maintain a pension for all SHARE members, fully funded by the employer.

• Are you taking advantage of the 401K match from the hospital? If not, you’re leaving free money on the table. Don’t worry, you can start with a small contribution!

SHARE Info Meetings 

Join us to learn about your benefits, and how to take advantage of them.

Meetings are virtual, on Zoom.

Tuesday, September 9th, 12p-1:00p

Wednesday, September 10th, 7:30a-8:30a

Thursday, September 11th, 5:00p-6:00p 

*please note that all three Zoom sessions will use the same link. Click the above button at any of the listed times. This will bring you to a Zoom waiting room, where a meeting organizer will admit you.

SHARE Updates: Know Your Union, Raises, Retirement Benefits, and More

know your union!

Did you know that SHARE is the largest union at the largest employer in Central Massachusetts, with over 3600 strong in our bargaining unit, and growing?

Did you know that UMass Memorial works because SHARE members do . . . in over 230 different job titles?

Did you know that SHARE has a unique Partnership Agreement with UMass Memorial which provides SHARE members unique opportunities to participate in decisions that affect them in their jobs?

The healthcare landscape is constantly changing and bringing new difficulties, but one thing is consistently true: SHARE members are always essential to the vital mission of taking care of Central Massachusetts and beyond.

The strength of our union comes from our connection to one another, and our shared knowledge. Our union is built on countless conversations and creative ideas.

There are lots of ways to be involved in that conversation, and in the things that our union is doing. Give us a call (508-929-4020) or email share.comment@theshareunion.org to talk. And, if you haven’t met already, make sure to reach out to the elected SHARE Representative in your area.

---

RAISES IN OCTOBER

The final raise of our current Contract period comes this October. The amount is a 4% increase, or $1.00, whichever is greater. (In other words, the floor for the raise is $1.00 per hour; so, if you make less than $25 per hour, your raise will actually be more than 4%.)

SHARE members have received consistent annual raises every year, usually in October. We’ll begin negotiating with UMass Memorial about the next round of raises probably in early Summer of 2026.

---

NEW SHARE RETIREMENT PAGE

SHARE members enjoy some uncommonly good retirement benefits — especially the Defined Benefit Pension. Even if you didn’t know about this, you’re already benefitting from it. SHARE has negotiated for the employer to contribute to this program for all SHARE members, so that you will have a guaranteed, consistent monthly stipend in your retirement years.

You can learn more about the Pension, and how to make the most of your other retirement benefits, on our new Retirement webpage.

---

2025 CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS AFL-CIO SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO SHARE FAMILY

Congratulations to recent graduate Steven Gjanci who received this year’s $1000 Central Massachusetts AFL-CIO scholarship! His mother, Greta Gjanci, is a Medical Assistant and SHARE member in the Family Medicine Clinic on the Hahnemann campus. To learn about other educational opportunities, keep your eye on emails from SHARE, or review blog posts marked #Scholarships and #Education.

---

UMass Memorial Caregiver Survey

This is a key time for your input to help make things better, right where you work. Results of the UMass Memorial Caregiver Survey are now in, and managers should be reporting the results of those surveys to your individual departments by September 25. Departments are required to submit an action plan for improving those scores by September 30.

We’re proud that SHARE members have already been leading the way with very high survey participation. We’re also heartened that our hospital’s overall scores continue to improve, at a time when healthcare worker satisfaction is slipping nationwide. However, we also know there’s still lots to do to improve, and challenges ahead. If you’d like help knowing how to make the most of your department’s results and action plan, please reach out to your area SHARE Organizer or UBT Coach.

---

WELCOME, WALT!

One last nice note: please help us welcome Walt Andrews to the SHARE Organizing team! He’ll be working to help improve our information systems, in addition to regular organizing duties.

Right now Walt is learning his way around and getting to know SHARE members and other caregivers throughout UMass Memorial. If you see him, feel free to introduce yourself, and thanks in advance for helping him understand what things are like where you work!

From the Partnership Office: 2025 SHARE UBT Fair Highlights

Memorial UBT Fair TODAY

If you’re at the Memorial campus today, we encourage you to head down to Knowles Hall in the Jaquith building during your lunch break to check out the two dozen posters presented by SHARE UBT Co-Leads . . . and enjoy a complimentary sub sandwich. There will be a short, festive presentation just after noon. See you there!

2025-2026 SHARE Executive Board & Representatives

SHARE Updates: UBT Fairs, MA Apprenticeships, the Future of Medicaid & More

Hahnemann UBT Fair

The first-ever Hahnemann UBT Fair is now one for the books! Over 300 caregivers attended and got a good look at poster presentations by ten different Unit Based Teams, each describing a project that has made their own workflow better and easier to deal with.

“That’s not me any more!” said Barre Family Heath Center ASR Kelley (right), pictured here with her teammate and Lead ASR, Brenda. They described how the UBT has helped them feel on top of their work, rather than like that frazzled cartoon character.

---

Up Next: Memorial UBT Fair, Thursday, May 22

---

Big Changes Likely for Healthcare

As a safety-net hospital, a sizable portion of the care provided at UMass Memorial relies on government funding. As you may know from recent news reports, what Medicaid will look like in the near future is very much in question, and currently at the center of the federal budget debate in Washington D.C. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has been quoted by NBC Boston as saying, "No state in the country can make up for the kind of cuts that are being talked about.”

To read more of SHARE’s roundup about the increasing pressures on healthcare, and our own hospital, click on the button below . . .

---

MA Assistant Program

SHARE is very excited to announce another wave of the MA apprenticeship program in conjunction with UMass Memorial and QCC. This program has been a great success in helping SHARE members to grow their career in our hospital.

---

SHARE Encourages You to Take UMass Memorial’s 2025 Caregiver Survey

On May 14, UMass Memorial launched its caregiver survey. We hope you will respond and make your experience known. SHARE leaders see the survey results for SHARE members. We use them to work with the hospital on improvements that SHARE members care about. We also help members use the results in their department to try to improve things for SHARE members.

Big Changes Likely for Healthcare

As a safety-net hospital, a sizable portion of the care provided at UMass Memorial relies on government funding. As you may know from recent news reports, what Medicaid will look like in the near future is very much in question, and currently at the center of the federal budget debate in Washington D.C.

WHERE ARE THINGS NOW

As of this writing, Medicaid cuts look almost certain and substantial, with Politico reporting, “After a 26-and-a-half-hour markup, Republicans on Wednesday advanced the health care section of the GOP’s sweeping tax bill that would slash Medicaid spending by hundreds of billions of dollars.”

Since the Republicans control Congress -- Democratics are united in opposing cuts to Medicaid (as reported in Politico) -- it’s all about the debate among Republicans. Some Republicans are taking a stand against the cuts, and some are arguing that the cuts do not go far enough. “To say we have a gulf is an understatement,” said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a leader of the conservative wing, as reported by the Associated Press.

What Would Be the Overall Impact of Medicaid Cuts?

There are a lot of unknowns, of course. Governor Maura Healey was earlier quoted by NBC Boston as saying, "No state in the country can make up for the kind of cuts that are being talked about.” NBC reports that “The legislation could lead to 8.6 million people losing Medicaid coverage.”

Medicaid Cuts Potentially Compound the Pressures on Healthcare

Other recent changes to Federal healthcare policy — most notably tariffs and significant cuts to the NIH and the FDA — have already placed strain on academic medical centers, with direct effects on our sister SHARE union at UMass Chan and our sister union at Harvard University, HUCTW.

Of course, everyone knows that hospitals have experienced a wild ride over the past decade, with major setbacks resulting from the Covid pandemic, especially the direct impacts on healthcare workers, and the continuing Primary Care crisis.

What is the situation for UMass Memorial?

UMass Memorial leaders are working with our congressional delegation to fully understand what’s coming for our hospital. They laid out the challenges for our hospital in the February Town Hall address, describing many of the same ideas described in this piece by UMMHealth CEO Eric Dickson.

At the most recent Town Hall, leaders described what were then projected to be $80 billion dollar cuts to the Federal Medicaid program, a scenario that would likely cost Massachusetts $2 billion. Eric Dickson estimated the hit to the UMass Memorial budget about $200 million.

Additionally, they are concerned that the Massachusetts uncompensated care fund will see a $225 million dollar shortfall, with a projected annual impact on our hospital of a $25 million loss.  

Accordingly, the hospital is tightening its belt. It has implemented a more rigorous review process before posting non-clinical jobs, and, as you probably know, hospital leadership is asking departments to find ways to eliminate waste in processes, and avoid spending on non-essential items. Hospital leaders have recently said that they intend to avoid layoffs, as they did post-pandemic, when other hospitals experienced significant reductions in force.

Nationally, Unions Fighting to Protect Medicaid

Our parent union, AFSCME, is actively opposing cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, and is mobilizing members through the Get Organized campaign, also known as AFSCME GO. Read the official statement from the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the United States, here.

MA Apprenticeship Program

SHARE is very excited to announce another wave of the MA apprenticeship program in conjunction with UMass Memorial and QCC. This program has been a great success in helping SHARE members to grow their career in our hospital. Read on if you’d like to learn more about applying to this earn-and-learn program . . .

UMass Memorial Caregiver Survey

On May 14, UMass Memorial launched its caregiver survey. You’ll see lots of emails about it, and SHARE wants you to chime in – please take the survey!

Things to Know:

·       It’s shorter this year, probably about 10 minutes needed.

·       You get work time to fill it out. If you are having trouble getting the time, talk to your manager. Contact SHARE if we can help.

·       It’s confidential. Press-Ganey (the patient experience company) runs this survey. You have to use your personal link or your employee identification number to make sure that only employees fill it out, and only once each. Press-Ganey gets the results. They only send group results back to UMass Memorial, and they don’t share any results for groups smaller than 5 caregivers. SHARE can confirm that we haven’t heard about confidentiality problems.

·       All managers are supposed to share the department’s survey results with the department. All teams are supposed to work on an “action plan” to improve caregivers’ experience based on the results in their department. The results should  be available this summer – we’ll let you know when, and you can let us know if you want help thinking about how to use yours.

Why does UMass Memorial want to you to fill out the survey?

UMass Memorial wants employees to be happy. They know that better caregiver experience leads to better patient experience. The hospital wants caregiver feedback on how they are doing, and what they should try to improve.

Why does SHARE want you to fill out the survey?

SHARE leaders see the survey results for SHARE members. We use them to work with the hospital on improvements that SHARE members care about. We also help members use the results in their department to try to improve things for SHARE members.