Together, We Make URI Stronger
NOTICE: Prompt Submission of Membership Forms is Important!
We cannot and will not retro date any membership form so submit today! Remember, your PSA protections and rights do not start until the form is received. Gain legal protection, have a voice, receive PSA Exec.Comm. support when needed, be allowed to enter unique MOAs with the University, and so much more.
New Hires: Please contact our membership coordinator, Monique, our membership coordinator, to discuss URI PSA in greater detail and to sign today!
We Welcome to Our Community
As a member, you have the right to participate in the decision-making process of your local {URIPSA}, state {NEARI}, and national {NEA} unions — including ratification of contracts, the election of local, state, and national union leaders, and other key decisions. When members act together – we present a strong, united front to management at the bargaining table and beyond.
PSA is affiliated with the National Education Association of Rhode Island (NEARI) and the National Education Association (NEA). That means your local membership connects you to statewide advocacy and the largest professional employee organization in the country. Together this creates a three-level structure — URI PSA → NEARI → NEA — that protects members on campus, at the State House, and at the national level.
Thanks to America’s labor unions like the National Education Association RI (NEARI), members benefit from better wages, fair working conditions, and a voice in the workplace. There’s power in numbers. Joining the association gives your voice more authority over the decisions that affect you and your career. Together, we have a stronger voice.
Some Reasons To Join a Community of Professionals
You get representation.
PSA negotiates and enforces the collective bargaining agreement that governs your pay, classification, working conditions, and benefits. If an issue arises, PSA officers and NEARI UniServ staff are available to advise and represent you so you don’t have to navigate it alone.
You get a stronger voice.
Through NEARI and NEA, PSA members are part of statewide and national efforts to support public higher education, protect retirement and health benefits, and defend the dignity of education professionals. As NEA says, “When we stand together, we can transform our workplaces and our communities.”
To that, only members, have the right to participate in the decision-making process of your local {URIPSA}, state {NEARI}, and national {NEA} unions — including ratification of contracts, the election of local, state, and national union leaders, and other key decisions. When members act together – we present a strong, united front to management at the bargaining table and beyond.
You get professional and personal support.
Members can take part in leadership and committee work, receive updates on contract matters, and connect with colleagues across divisions. PSA also coordinates supports such as the sick leave bank and an annual scholarship.
NEA and NEARI member benefits
Because PSA is part of NEARI and NEA, members also receive national-level benefits, including:
- professional liability coverage (up to $1 million through NEA);
- access to NEA Member Benefits (discounts on insurance, travel, financial services);
- training and resources through NEA Higher Education for those working in colleges and universities.
These are in addition to the protections in the URI PSA–Board of Trustees contract.
Who can join?
PSA represents URI professional staff in the bargaining unit as defined in the PSA contract. Human Resources maintains records as well and you should have received a notice in your hiring packet. If you are unsure whether your position is covered, contact a PSA officer and we can confirm it for you.
Get involved
Members make the union strong. You can:
- vote on all general membership questions, including ratifications of the CBA
- participate in the day-to-day operations
- submit a membership form,
- contact your area representative,
- serve on a committee,
- attend membership meetings and informational sessions.
Join URI PSA today — add your voice, protect your rights, and stay connected to NEARI and NEA.
Did you know?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union workers on average earn 28% more than non-union workers and are 62% more likely to have employer-covered health coverage.
Thanks to America’s labor unions like the National Education Association RI (NEARI), members benefit from better wages, fair working conditions, and a voice in the workplace. There’s power in numbers. Joining the association gives your voice more authority over the decisions that affect you and your career. Together, we have a stronger voice.
The 15 states with the highest salaries – including Rhode Island – are those with the strongest collective bargaining laws and the highest percentage of union membership. The states with the lowest salaries and lowest membership tend to have no collective bargaining rights.The University of Rhode Island Professional Staff Association (PSA) represents the professional staff who make URI work — administrative, technical, advising, student success, and non-teaching faculty (though many of us are PTF) roles across campus. When you join PSA, you add your voice to a group that believes in fair treatment, equity, and professional respect for every staff member.