AMHERST — The state’s Department of Labor Relations has directed the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Professional Staff Union to continue bargaining rather than moving toward mediation.
A letter from the department received on Monday by members of the union, which represents thousands of workers, says the two parties would “benefit from continued face-to-face bargaining sessions.”
They have until Jan. 16 to work toward a resolution, the department said.
“This is the best possible outcome we could’ve hoped for,” said Nellie Taylor, co-chair of the union. “We will continue to bargain in good faith.”
The union has been negotiating its contract with the university for over a year. Last week, it made an overwhelming vote of no-confidence in university’s Chancellor Javier Reyes’ leadership.
This is the fourth vote of no-confidence in Reyes’ leadership since he was named the chancellor of the university in February 2023.
The decision by the Labor Department to deny the university’s request for mediation is a “major loss for Chancellor Reyes’ attempt to circumvent bargaining and impose unilateral takebacks on his unionized professional staff,” an emailed statement from the union said.
Emily Gest, a spokesperson for the university, said in an emailed statement Monday that the university filed a petition for mediation and fact finding, requesting the state’s Labor Department to assist in ongoing negotiations.
“At no point did the university seek an end to bargaining or attempt to unilaterally implement a final offer — we continue to welcome further sessions,” the statement said, agreeing that it is in the parties’ best interest to resolve core issues before mediation.
Gest said the university looks forward to continuing good faith efforts to reach an amicable agreement with the union.
The two parties will have to give a progress report to the state agency about working toward “resolution of their differences,” the letter said.
After that Jan. 16 deadline, the department said it would make a decision about whether mediation is an appropriate next step.
