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!