About URI Locally:
The University of Rhode Island Professional Staff Association (URI PSA) is the local bargaining unit representing more than 400 administrative, technical, and non-teaching faculty employees (though many of us are PTF) across the University. Affiliated with the National Education Association of Rhode Island (NEARI), PSA promotes fairness, equity, and professional growth for its members.
Locally, PSA:
- Negotiates and enforces the collective bargaining agreement (“the contract”) with the URI Board of Trustees.
- Assists members with salary, reclassification, and benefits questions.
- Represents employees in the grievance process and workplace matters.
- Coordinates sick-leave donations through the PSA Sick Bank Committee for members facing medical hardship.
- Sponsors the annual PSA Scholarship and other community-building initiatives.
PSA officers and area representatives serve every division and campus location—from Kingston to Bay and Providence—providing direct, member-to-member support and ensuring the professional staff voice is represented in all aspects of university life
About NEA Rhode Island (NEARI)
The National Education Association of Rhode Island (NEARI) is the state affiliate of the National Education Association, representing educators, professional staff, higher-education personnel, and public service workers across Rhode Island.
As NEARI itself states: “Our Association is a remarkable blend of union and professional organization, with a proud history of serving Rhode Island.” The membership numbers are substantial: NEARI’s 12,000 members are connected with the national association and work in classrooms, colleges, libraries, laboratories, state and local government offices.
Notably, NEARI describes itself as “THE voice for one in every 100 Rhode Islanders.” In this capacity, NEARI engages in collective bargaining, workplace protections, legislative advocacy, professional development, and equity initiatives to serve both its members and the broader public-education mission.
Membership in NEARI brings both protections and tangible benefits. On the protections side, NEARI emphasizes that members have a union voice in the workplace—“Together we’re stronger. Together we’re heard.” Through collective action and negotiated contracts, members gain access to formal grievance rights, seniority protections, and just‐cause discipline standards (among other rights described on NEARI’s “Become a Member” page). On the benefit side, NEARI highlights: “As a dues-paying member, you can find ways to save money in almost every area of your life.”
Member benefits include discounts on insurance, travel, shopping, financial services, and access to free life insurance—all part of the broader value package that complements the workplace protections. Together, these protections and benefits underscore NEARI’s role as both a professional association and a labor union—working to improve conditions, compensation, and respect for members while also advancing public-education and public-service goals throughout Rhode Island.
Our National Connection to NEA
The University of Rhode Island Professional Staff Association (PSA) is proud to be part of the National Education Association (NEA)—the largest professional employee organization in the country, representing more than 3 million members across all fifty states. The NEA is “committed to advancing public education by championing justice, excellence, and the collective power of educators.”
Through our affiliation with NEARI, URI PSA members gain access to the full strength and protections of the NEA. This includes national advocacy on workplace rights and academic freedom, professional development through NEA Higher Education, and participation in initiatives that promote fairness and opportunity for all education professionals.
The NEA also offers members practical benefits such as $1 million in professional liability coverage, national legal and legislative representation, and access to the NEA Member Benefits program, which includes insurance, financial, and travel services.
As part of NEA Higher Education, URI PSA members join colleagues from universities and colleges nationwide who “work to ensure that every student—regardless of background—has access to quality learning supported by respected, well-compensated professionals.”
Through this local–state–national partnership—PSA → NEARI → NEA—we stand united in protecting the rights, dignity, and professional growth of all members who serve the University of Rhode Island community.