ACSUM in Brief
Who ACSUM is
ACSUM is the Associated COLT (clerical, office, laboratory and technical) Staff of the Universities of Maine. ACSUM negotiates and helps enforce the contract that governs the wages and working conditions of the 1000 classified employees working for the University System. Dues-paying members form a democratic organization, electing volunteers from amongst themselves as leaders. These leaders bargain and negotiate on behalf of all COLT employees.
ACSUM is affiliated with the Maine Education Association and the National Education Association. With 25,000 members in Maine and over 3.2 million nationwide, MEA and NEA help ACSUM make sure that students get quality education and educators and support staff get the pay, benefits, and recognition they deserve.
What ACSUM does
ACSUM negotiates your contract.
ACSUM is the recognized bargaining agent for COLT staff in Maine. That means that ACSUM is responsible for making sure that your contract provides fair raises, good benefits, and rules for an equitable work environment. ACSUM members themselves volunteer to negotiate, and input from all members is welcome. As you know, UMS is always looking for ways to trim budgets, often at the expense of classified employees. In recent years, ACSUM has fought hard to win increased wages, restore longevity (step) increases, improve benefits, and keep healthcare costs from exploding.
ACSUM makes sure the contract is honored.
A contract only means something if UMS honors it. Every year good employees have problems with fair enforcement: PeopleSoft accidentally drops your insurance coverage, you receive an unfair evaluation, inaccurate or inappropriate material is placed in your Personnel File, or you don’t get compensated for overtime worked. In these cases, ACSUM makes sure that the situation is settled fairly. On your campus, a few of your co-workers have received special training and volunteered to be ACSUM Grievance Representatives. They are willing to help you think through any problems you have at work, let you know what the contract says about your situation, and help you file an official grievance if needed. If you need further assistance, you can ask for help from an MEA staff person or attorney who specializes in grievances. Dues-paying members have access to these expert legal services at no extra charge!
ACSUM supports its members.
ACSUM supports its members’ desire for education and self-improvement in many ways. To help you stay informed on union issues, we publish a regular newsletter and maintain a website with information for all COLT employees. Other information is available only to dues-paying members, through the ACSUM listserv and web-based forums. Members also receive the MEA monthly newspaper and NEA publications geared toward workers in higher education. Local chapters organize special events for their members, like the sessions that explain the provisions of new contracts. Dues-paying members are eligible for many kinds of training offered by ACSUM, MEA, and NEA. Training itself is usually free to members. Where travel or lodging expenses are involved, mileage reimbursement and scholarships are often available.
The Benefits
Being an ACSUM member affords many special privileges:
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To be covered by contract |
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To participate in determining bargaining priorities for your contract |
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To participate in negotiations |
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To vote to accept or reject new contracts |
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To vote for leaders of ACSUM, MEA and NEA, including your negotiations team |
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To participate in ACSUM chapter assemblies and the ACSUM statewide Delegate Assembly |
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To attend free trainings offered by ACSUM, MEA or NEA |
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To receive free liability insurance protection ($1 million) from NEA |
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To receive free assistance from MEA staff in grievance or disciplinary matters |
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To receive ACSUM publications, negotiation updates, website forums, and the listserv |
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Joining ACSUM is a good investment in your future. By joining, you show the University that it needs to pay attention to its workers and respect us in bargaining and negotiations. That translates into a better contract for you. It also means that you’ll have immediate free access to grievance support when you need it. Add in the ability to participate in a strong statewide organization, and you can see that joining ACSUM gives you influence, security, and a better future at the University.
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Please take the time to fill out your enrollment application today.
Applications are available from your local leadership, or online at http://www.acsum.org/
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Still have some questions? Contact Sasha Hayes-Rusnov, ACSUM Organizer for more information: 877-5586 or shayes-rusnov@nea.org.
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