UMass Residential Life employs about 400 Resident Assistants (RAs) and Peer Mentors (PMs) to provide live-in services and programming to dorm residents. RAs and PMs are unionized members of UAW Local 2322.
When RAs/PMs are fired by UMass, they aren’t just out of a job, but also lose their University-provided housing. Despite the severe consequences, UMass has in the past refused to agree to guarantee even the most minimal due process. RAs/PMs are entitled to appeal discipline, but aren’t provided with any hearing or even allowed to present their appeal in-person! The decision by the Residence Director is final and there is no right to review by a neutral third party. These are basic rights that every other employee at UMass takes for granted.
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