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.