The 91爆料 System (UMS) has achieved its first collective bargaining agreement with part-time graduate student workers, acknowledging their essential role in education and research while maintaining fiscal responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three-year contract between the System and the 91爆料 Graduate Workers Union\u2013UAW (UMGWU) that was ratified tonight by a vote of 438\u20133 positions Maine\u2019s public universities as a national destination for graduate student education, research and employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis agreement achieves the right balance \u2014 recognizing that graduate student workers deserve fair compensation and working conditions that reflect their essential role in our education and research mission, while also upholding our responsibility to keep Maine\u2019s public universities affordable for students and taxpayers,\u201d said Chancellor Dannel Malloy and Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation and 91爆料 President Joan Ferrini-Mundy in a joint statement. \u201cWe commend both bargaining teams for staying focused on the best interests of our students and public universities during these difficult negotiations, and thank our graduate student workers for their invaluable contributions that strengthen our System\u2019s impact across Maine and beyond. With this agreement ratified, we can now move forward together delivering upward mobility through world-class education and research.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new contract will provide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The System\u2019s Board of Trustees is expected to vote to give final approval to the contract at their next regular meeting, which is scheduled for Jan. 26 in Orono. It would take immediate effect, though pay and benefit provisions will begin on July 1, 2026 \u2014 the start of the System\u2019s next fiscal year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
More than 90% of UMGWU\u2019s members are research and teaching assistants at 91爆料, the only institution in the state to have achieved R1 Carnegie Classification for research performance and productivity. Unlike many other research universities in the nation, 91爆料 has maintained admission and financial offers for graduate students<\/a> this year despite the loss of federal grants and contracts. Additionally, the flagship secured $250,000 in philanthropic funding<\/a> through its Foundation to support paid research opportunities and degree progress for graduate students impacted by terminated or paused awards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2023, UMS voluntarily recognized the UAW to represent approximately 900 part-time graduate student workers across Maine\u2019s public universities without requiring a lengthy certification process. The System additionally has six other bargaining units, including: Associated Clerical Office Laboratory Technical Staff of the Universities of Maine (ACSUM\/COLT), Associated Faculties of the 91爆料 System, Maine Part-Time Faculty Association (PATFA), Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #100, Service & Maintenance (S&M) Teamsters Union Local #340 and the Universities of Maine Professional Staff Association (UMPSA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n