SHARE Information Meetings In August

Please join us at one of the following drop-in times to learn what's happening with your union now. Stop by for a quick question, or stay a while and bring your lunch. (And your questions! And your friends!)

CCU -- Wednesday, 8/3/16 (2 -4pm) -- 1st Floor Conference Room

South Street -- Thursday, 8/4/16 (noon-1:30pm) -- England Conference Room

And, for a more structured update about the latest with the GIC, the new AFSCME College Benefit, and other union news, join us here . . . 

Main Campus -- Thursday, 8/11/16 (noon-1:30pm) -- Sherman Center, AS6-2072

If these meetings do not work for you, give us a call and we'll work with you to schedule a time and place that is more convenient: 508-929-4020.

Free Online Associate Degrees for SHARE Members

As a SHARE member, through the AFSCME Free College Benefit, you and your family can now earn an associate degree completely online–for FREE. SHARE leaders learned about this new program when it was announced last week at the AFSCME International Convention.

The benefit is offered through our parent organization, AFSCME, in cooperation with Eastern Gateway Community College, to provide members and their families “the chance to earn an online degree from an accredited school with no out-of-pocket expense,” as described on the program flyer. The program is open to active and retired AFSCME members, their children, and dependents.

The degree programs are currently limited to Associate of Business Management, Associate of Criminal Justice, and Associate of Arts (which can be used to progress into baccalaureate programs including psychology, sociology, English, history, fine arts, and communications). An Early Childhood Education degree will be offered beginning next year.

The program is designed to welcome traditional as well as non-traditional students, including those who have been out of school for a long time, and to be flexible, allowing participants to work while earning their degree. And the degrees are designed to parallel the first two years of related Bachelor's Degree programs to make the coursework transferable.

Learn how the program works by clicking HERE.

The application process involves submitting a simple application form, along with a completed FAFSA form, and school transcripts. Applicants are required to include their AFSCME member number. Although SHARE does not receive information about member numbers, we will be happy to help you find out yours. If you receive mailings to your home from AFSCME, including the AFSCME Works magazine, you can find that number on the address label. Your ID number will look something like this:

SHARE is extremely excited for this new offering. If you run into difficulty finding answers to any questions, we're happy to help: please call the SHARE office at 508-929-4020.

URGENT!! Click on link to oppose increase in GIC costs

Governor Charlie Baker signed the Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) budget into law at the beginning of July 2016. After approving the budget, he has 10 days to issue his vetoes and amendments.  For the FY 2017 budget Governor Baker issued several vetoes and amendments regarding GIC premium contributions for state employees which attempts to raise the premium split to 25% for all active state employees. Other amendments included healthcare premium contributions for municipal retirees and sick leave accrual for state employees. If Governor Baker’s vetoes go through, state employees, including SHARE members at UMMS, who were hired prior to July 1, 2003 could see an increase to their health care premium contribution. The AFL-CIO, SHARE, and many other unions, are encouraging all public sector employees to contact their State Representative by writing a letter to request that the House of Representatives override the Governor’s budget actions. Thank you for participating by using this link to write a letter:

actionnetwork.org/letters/support-public-sector-workers-today

You just need to enter your name, e-mail, home address and a customizable letter template will pop-up, addressed to your own local lawmakers. If you have any questions, you can contact the SHARE union at 508-929-4020 or share.umms@theshareunion.org