New SHARE Rep Training

Sixteen SHARE Representatives from throughout the UMass Memorial system completed the most recent New Rep Training course. The course is designed to provide an overview of our union and the ways that Reps build community and help their co-workers. Along the way, we traded a lot of stories about different work areas. 

The curriculum introduces a number of topics, including:

• Who's in SHARE
• SHARE's place in the labor movement
• Using the SHARE Contract 
• Building the union membership and cultivating community
• Interest-Based Negotiating Methods
• What happens in Contract Negotiations
• Why SHARE focuses on system improvement
• Unit-Based Teams, and other ways of engaging members in decision making
• Labor-Management Partnership
• Problem-Solving, including the Disciplinary Process

As we considered what's ahead for our union, the new Reps talked enthusiastically. And there were many funny moments. Afterward, Christean Hughes, a Medical Billing Specialist at 306 Belmont Street, said, "I loved it. I think everyone in our union should get to go to a meeting like that." We're lucky to have this new group of Reps, and are looking forward to more together.  

Workplace Violence Discussion this Friday

According to OSHA statistics, healthcare workers are four times more likely than employees in private industry to encounter workplace violence, and the rates are increasing. Patient care poses unique challenges, and many SHARE members are at increased risk.

To address the concerns in our hospital, a Workplace Violence Panel Discussion will be held this Friday, July 28, noon to 1 pm, in Amphitheatre III, on the University Campus. (The panel discussion will also be broadcast in the Memorial Campus Amphitheater and  in the Hahnemann Campus, 2nd Floor Conference Room, and recorded for on-demand viewing.)

Getting free from work responsibilities can be hectic--especially while navigating the busy lunchtime elevators and finding something to eat; managers are being encouraged to provide coverage to ensure that front-line employees from many areas can attend.

If you would like to come and learn more about how to curb the violence, and the ways that our hospital is addressing the problem, please talk with your supervisor or manager.

To reach Amphitheatre III from the main UMMS entrance, take a left at the main corridor and take the second right to locate the elevators. Take the elevator to either the 6th or 7th floor and follow posted signs to the entrance.

SHARE Career Development Workshops

Feeling confident?
Come to the Interview Skills Workshop
to hone your strengths

The first workshops of the new SHARE Career Development Series are on the books. Sign up now! These are designed to help SHARE members advance their skills and their careers at UMass Memorial. The workshops are being organized by the SHARE-UMass Memorial Workforce Planning Partnership Committee, created in our most recent contract negotiations.

The sessions will provide strategies, tips, and resources for maximizing your strengths as an internal candidate. We encourage you to register in advance to ensure your place in the workshop, although walk-ins will be welcome if there are empty seats. To Register, visit EL4U (additional instructions for first-time users below).

The following sessions are open for registration:

RESUME DEVELOPMENT

*Articulate your skills and work history, and put your best foot forward in the application process. Gain an understanding of different resume formats, effectively market your experience, and avoid pitfalls by learning what should and should not be included in a resume.

University Campus

Thursday, July 20th 12:00-1:00

Goff S2-309C  (Capacity: 25)

Memorial Campus

Tuesday, July 25th 12:00-1:00

Memorial 1 Conference Room (near the cafeteria, toward the ED) (Capacity: 15)

INTERVIEW SKILLS

*Participants will review the steps necessary to prepare for an interview including homework before the meeting, and what to expect during the interview.   Gain confidence answering various types of interview questions, create and practice responses, and learn how to effectively follow up.

Memorial Campus

Tuesday, August 1st 12:00-1:00

Memorial 1 Conference Room  (near the cafeteria, toward the ED) (Capacity: 15)

University Campus

Thursday, August 3rd noon-1:00

Goff S2-309C  (Capacity: 25)

We hope you can join us! And, if you aren’t able to make it to one of these Summertime workshops, there will be more opportunities. In the Fall, we will repeat these topics and include additional Career Planning sessions.

To Register for classes posted in EL4U:

Log In Page  http://healthstream.com/hlc/ummhc

User ID: Employee ID Number

Password: The first time you log in, your password is the same as your User ID; Users are then asked to create a new password

If you have questions, please call the SHARE office (508-929-4020).

2017-2018 SHARE Executive Board and Representatives

SHARE union leaders are elected by SHARE members during annual elections. They work closely with the SHARE organizing staff and work hard to keep our union strong.

The Executive Board (or "EBoard"), including the four officers, makes decisions about the direction of our union, and participates in contract negotiations. They are elected for two-year terms. They have responsibility for the whole union, and each board member is responsible for a few hundred members in their area. 

SHARE Representatives (or "Reps") serve as the contact person for their area. They are elected for one-year terms. There is roughly one Rep for every fifty SHARE members. Some Reps are trained to help co-workers solve problems in the workplace. In addition to the currently-elected Reps, several former Reps and unofficial Reps help members in their area keep up-to-date about current SHARE news, and help their co-workers find helpful SHARE resources.

SHARE Officers

Co-Presidents

Rita Caputo (University)                     PRIMARY CARE CLINIC

Bobbi-Jo Lewis (Memorial)                 SHARE ORGANIZING STAFF

Secretary

Sandra Alafberg                                 BILLING SUPPORT SERVICES

Treasurer

Kathy Girouard                                  HEART & VASC INTVL LAB

SHARE Executive Board

306 Belmont

Sheldon Brown                                  AR DENIAL MGMT TEAM 1

ACC

Sharon Pichierri                                  ORTHOPEDICS CLINIC

Memorial

Nancy Bickford                                   WEST 3

Laura M Welch                                   WOMENS SERVICES UROGYN

Jay Hagan                                          CAT SCAN

University

Tony Martocci                                    CARDIOVASC MED

Debbie Clark                                      ADMISSIONS UNIT

LeDean Buzzell                                   PEDIATRICS ADMINISTRATION

Joel Masley                                        RESPIRATORY THERAPY

WBC

Larry Madden                                    CENTRAL SCHEDULING

SHARE Representatives

306 Belmont

Kate Richardson                                 BILLING SUPPORT SERVICES

Christean Hughes                               CBO A/R

Patty Strait                                         AR DENIAL MGMT TEAM 1

Katie Kornitsky                                  AR DENIAL MGMT TEAM 2

67 Belmont

Cheryl Ferriter                                   SURGERY 67 BELMONT

ACC

Angela Robert                                    CARDIOVASCULAR CLN A CVC

Kellie Morton                                    ONCOLOGY CLINIC

Tammy Berry                                     BREAST CTR SURGICAL ONCOLOGY

Barre

Joanie Pulnik                                      BARRE HEALTH CENTER

Biotech 3

Nicole Ninteau                                   ANPA MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTIC

Hahnemann

Kelly A Rawlston                                MEDICAL STAFF ADMIN

Wanda Dyer                                      FAMILY MEDICINE CLINIC

Eleanor A Beshai                                HAHNEMANN MAMMOGRAPHY

Julie Dingui                                        HAHNEMANN MAMMOGRAPHY

Memorial

Kim Duncan                                       EMERGENCY ROOM

Brichelle Soto Guerrero                     ED REGISTRATION

Adrianna Nathan                               EMERGENCY ROOM

Kim Latrobe                                       SURGICAL VASCULAR LAB

Faye Serafin                                       WOMENS SERVICES REI

Debbie Church                                   MATERNITY-DELIVERY

Nana Kwapong                                  SOUTH 6

Tracy O'Donnell                                 FAMILY MED HOSP PROGRAM

Monique Winston                              SURGICAL ONCOLOGY

Debbie Horgan                                          PALLIATIVE CARE

Christina Sasso                                   PERINATOLOGY

Andrea Caraglior                                RESPIRATORY THERAPY

Leah Berthiaume                               MAMMOGRAPHY

Jessica Joslyn                                     RADIOLOGY DIAGNOSTIC

Claudia Twum                                    RADIOLOGY DIAGNOSTIC

Queen St

David Gogo                                        3 PTC PSYCH NURSING

Tri River

Mary Misiaszek                                  TRI RIVER CLINIC ADMIN

University

Kelly Yuscinsky                                   EMERGENCY ROOM

Tyler Knapp                                       OUTPATIENT REGISTRATION

Denise Savageau-Page                       EMERGENCY ROOM

Sue Maddalena                                  HEART & VASC INTVL LAB

Milka Gonzalez                                  INTERPRETER SERVICES

Sylvia Rodriguez                                 BMTU

Katrina Baer                                       NURSE STAFFING

Betty Maurais                                    LUNG/ALLERGY CENTER

Kona Enders                                      NURSING 3 WEST

Elsa M Benavides                               INTERPRETER SERVICES

Yamilka Velazquez                             INTERPRETER SERVICES

Cathy Gaulin                                      PRESCRIPTION CENTER

Vanessa De Los Santos                       TRANSPLANT CLINIC

April McIntyre                                   SURGERY ADMINISTRATION

Maria Wentworth                              PEDIATRICS ADMINISTRATION

Anita Pratt                                         PEDI ENDO/DIABETES

Nancy Bellantoni                                NEURODIAGNOSTIC CENTER

Luz Gomez                                        NEUROLOGY CLINIC

Tracey Zaczek                                    RESPIRATORY THERAPY

Marie Marley                                     RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Stephanie Pepi                                  TRAUMA SERVICES

David Leveille                                    ANGIOGRAPHY

Brian Cotoni                                      COMMUNICATION CENTER

Jen O'Loughlin                                   CAT SCAN

Rich Leufstedt                                   RADIOLOGY DIAGNOSTIC

WBC

Jennifer Mensah                                CENTRAL SCHEDULING

Nicole Bragg                                      PATIENT ACCESS SVS PRE ARRIVAL

Jackie Brammer                                 CENTRAL SCHEDULING

Susan E. Johnson                               CENTRAL SCHEDULING

Megan Bosworth                               CENTRAL SCHEDULING

                                     

Congratulations, 2017 Union Plus Scholarship Winners!

Congratulations to all recipients of the 2017 Union Plus Scholarship!

Sam Fountain, SHARE Member
and 2017 Scholarship Winner

We're particularly excited for Sam Fountain, a SHARE member and Research Technician right here at UMass Medical School, who will receive a $1,000 award from the AFL-CIO sponsored organization.

Sam says: I'm humbled and honored to be a recipient of a 2017 Union PLUS Scholarship Award. For the past 18 months, I've been a member of the SHARE Union, working as a Research Technician for Dr. Sanjay and Dr. Peter Rice. I'm beginning medical school here at UMass in the fall of 2017, and will use the scholarship to pay for books and other educational supplies I'll need. The cost of medical school is steep, and every penny counts. For decades my family has been benefiting from and advocating for Unionized Labor, and I'm grateful to continue this trend. Thank you to the SHARE Union for all the work you do and for advocating for workers across the University!

Union Plus scholarships totaling $150,000 were awarded this year to 106 students representing 31 unions. Danielle Boudrow, a member of HUCTW, our sister union at Harvard University, also received a $1,000 scholarship.

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2018 Union Plus Scholarships.

2018 Union Plus Scholarships

The Union Plus Education Foundation is now receiving applications for their 2018 Scholarship Program. The awards range from $500 to $4,000.

The application deadline is Tuesday, January 31, 2018.

This is a competitive scholarship, and applicants are evaluated according to academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended.

Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible. The Scholarship Program is open to current and retired members of unions participating in any Union Plus program (e.g., AFSCME), their spouses and their dependent children (as defined by IRS regulations). At least one year of continuous union membership by the applicant, applicant's spouse or parent (if applicant is a dependent). The one year membership minimum must be satisfied by May 31, 2018. Past applicants may re-apply.

The applicant must be accepted into a U.S. accredited college or university, community college, technical or trade school at the time the award is issued. Awards must be used for the 2018 - 2019 school year. You do not have to purchase any Union Plus product or participate in any Union Plus program to be eligible.

Applicants should note that the application requires you to list the national or international union name, local union number, local union's address, phone number and the name of the local union President or Business Manager.  You need this information for your union, your spouse's union or your parent's union (if you are a dependent).  If you or your family members are affiliated with multiple unions you must list this information for all.

As a member of SHARE, you are also a member of our parent organization, AFSCME, a qualifying union. Please note that the “local number” for SHARE on the hospital-side is AFSCME Local 3900. The SHARE hospital-side co-presidents are Bobbi-Jo Lewis and Rita Caputo.

For more details, and to access the online application dashboard, please see the Union Plus Scholarship website.

Happy Independence Day!

Have a safe, fun, and festive 4th of July!