We are the union representatives for the Federation of Classified University Staff Local #8521 at the University of Montana as part of the Montana Federation of Public Employees. We represent classified staff members at the University of Montana in Missoula and all of our extended and satellite locations. All of our officers and stewards are UMT classified staff and dues-paying union members.
FOCUS negotiates the wages, benefits, and working conditions of classified staff at seven Montana University System campuses. Our collective bargaining agreement, renegotiated every two years, can be read here. Get to know it — there are provisions bargained into the contract that protect your wages, your schedule, your working conditions, and your job. Every FOCUS member has the contractual right to print one copy of the contract on their worksite printer.
FOCUS also enforces the terms of this collective bargaining agreement. We do this through negotiations where possible, but we represent employees in the grievance process or in disciplinary proceedings as necessary.
Our union is what we, the staff members, make it. Every staff member benefits from the hard work of collective bargaining, which every two years creates the Collective Bargaining Agreement that forms the bedrock of your rights, pay, and benefits as an employee. Dues-paying members can get involved by attending chapter meetings, voting on our contracts, and getting involved to make their voices heard. There will always be a place for you if you'd like to get involved on any level.
Dues-paying union members have a say in their own wages, benefits, and working conditions. Although everyone benefits from the CBA, only members get to participate in that process and vote on the final agreements to ensure their voices are being heard. More members also gives the union greater leverage in contract negotiations, which makes it harder for university management to ignore our needs and expertise, which in turn leads to better wages, benefits, and workplace protections. Unions are ultimately your primary leverage in negotiating fair pay, and joining the union is how you get that job done.
Simply fill out the MFPE membership form and mark down our local number #8521. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
MFPE charges monthly membership dues according to a five-tiered system based on your annual salary; these figures are voted on democratically each year by union members at our Annual Conference. Dues are essential to building our power as workers by allowing us to pool our resources and work together to secure our rights and be prepared for the bargaining table. Dues also allow MFPE to remain transparent, accountable, and free from outside influences - in other words, it allows MFPE to work for YOU! The pay raises bargained by our unions are greater than the cost of dues, meaning the monthly membership payment is a great investment that ultimately puts more dollars in your pocket.
The UMT chapter of FOCUS does not currently collect any local dues, but voting to add local dues can help support union meetings, travel expenses for union members (meaning you!), and other important activities that are specialized to our community.
We are always happy to talk about workplace grievances and issues with supervisors - and you are entitled to union representation at any disciplinary meetings. Reach out to us and we will get back to you ASAP!