Greetings
These past months have been challenging. As we support colleagues affected by layoffs and manage increased workloads, we are reminded of exactly why our union exists.
Our collective power, built over years, has provided a critical foundation. Because of the determined fight of our members in 2018, those affected by layoffs received not only severance but also a 60-day notice and two months of extended health insurance. This legacy of support continues. Even now, during a significant economic downturn, we are receiving a cost-of-living increase—a direct result of our union contract. We have also secured a crucial change, ensuring our longest-serving members at the 75th percentile are no longer excluded from salary adjustments.
Is 3.3% enough? No. Are we at capacity? Yes. This is our call to action. The bargaining for our next contract begins in July. Let’s honor the members who fought for us by continuing their work. What we win next will build upon our long-standing legacy and propel our institution forward for years to come. Let’s get ready.
In solidarity,
Your Union Officers, Daniel, Illona, Crystal, Kim, and Steve
Welcome, New Members!
Tatiana Barzaghi, Co-curricular Experience Manager, ELA
Jaramie Cataldo, Administrative Associate, Marketing Communication
Aubrey Daviau, Administrative Assistant, Center for Comedic Arts
Tim Fairley, Electrics Supervisor, Performing Arts
Amy Galvam, Director of Internal Communications, Marketing and Communications
David Hadley, Manager, Digital Post-Production Facilities, MTP
Erika Krause, Cutter/Draper, Performing Arts
Saskia Martínez, Scenic Painter, Emerson Stage
Terry O’Brien, Department Administrator, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Samyukta Panth, Manager, Analog Film Post Production, MTP
Jaclyn Pastor, Student Loan Officer, Financial Aid
Daniel Sotelo-Reiner, Senior Events and IT Support Administrator, ELA
Christian Tabb, Events and Technology Support Administrator, ELA
Daryl Paranada, Associate Director, Communications and Special Projects, ELA
Halloween Social
Thanks to everyone who attended our Halloween social on October 29! Members enjoyed socializing while eating lunch, reading tarot, and making a Halloween craft.
Storytelling Competition
On December 4, the union hosted a storytelling competition, which was held over Zoom. Thanks to Tim Douglas, Anna Feder, Dylan Hearn, Kim Costigan, and Illona Yosefov for sharing their stories on the themes of “management” or “magic.” Attendees voted for the winner, Dylan Hearn, who received a gift card.
Meet Our Officers
We have welcomed a few “new” officers since the spring. Some are not new to the officer slate, however, and have just switched positions.
Chair
Daniel Crocker, our former vice-chair, was elected in the spring. He’s a database wrangler at the Iwasaki Library, where he haunts the stacks in person 3–5 days a week. He knows where the weird stuff is hidden in the library!
Recording Secretary
Crystal Gómez was elected in May. She is the program manager for HIVE within the Division of Community, Culture, and Belonging. Her responsibilities include managing College Pathway Programs (EmersonWRITES and EmersonTHEATER) for Greater Boston area youth and supporting other inclusive programming on campus.
Vice-Chair
Illona Yosefov, our former chief steward, was elected in August. She’s an instructional technologist aka technology therapist. She’s been helping faculty with online teaching tools since 2016. If professors have never used Canvas and their gradebook is a mess, they should be sent to her. And if your boss or HR gives you grief, give her a call.
Chief Steward
Steve Bohrer is our newest officer, having been elected in October. He’s a network engineer in IT Infrastructure. If your campus wifi sucks, it’s his fault! (And please, let him know if it does, so he can try to fix it!) He is also always available to help with union-related issues.
Treasurer
She’s not new, but Kim Costigan is still our treasurer extraordinaire. She is the program coordinator for the Office of Graduate Studies. She assists graduate students with thesis formatting and helps to keep them on track so they can complete their master’s degrees in a timely manner.
Committee Updates
Joint Labor Management (JLM)
Thanks to Jason Allen-Forest (Performing Arts) for his service on the JLM committee. He has stepped down, and we have welcomed Regina Clark (MTP) on board. We have also welcomed John-Albert Moseley (School of Film, Television, and Media Arts) onto the committee. The committee last met with management in June. Kellie Fuller and Todd Marvin from HR presented on the Workday Learning rollout. The compressed workweek pilot was also discussed, and the union side offered some reasons why staff may not be interested in trying it. We also asked how staff could get involved in implementing the strategic plan. Management agreed to discuss this further in a subsequent meeting, but we haven’t met again yet.
New Member Profile
Saskia Martínez, Scenic Painter, Emerson Stage
What are your favorite fall activities?
My favorite fall activities are making my family’s apple pie recipe and seeing all the movies that come out in advance of the Oscars.
Where did you work prior to Emerson?
Before Emerson, I worked as a freelance scenic artist and designer at theaters in and around Boston, primarily at Wheelock Family Theatre and the theater department at Brandeis University.
Have you been a union member before?
I’ve never been in a union before but hope to someday be a member of USA 829, the national union of theatrical designers and scenic artists.
Why are you glad that you’re in a union?
I’m glad to be in a union because I want to be a part of a strong workforce that protects itself. Both my parents were union members at the university they worked at, and I saw how the union safeguarded their rights and advocated for them. I’ve also been in work situations where a union could have helped protect me and my coworkers from unsafe conditions, low wages, and retaliation. I’m excited to be a new member!