{"id":2218,"date":"2025-11-09T06:09:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-09T11:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/?page_id=2218"},"modified":"2025-11-13T10:51:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T15:51:20","slug":"about-psa-neari-nea","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/about-psa-neari-nea\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-hero-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-hero fullwidth   cl-has-accessibility-controls\"><div class=\"cl-hero-proper\"><div class=\"overlay\"><div class=\"block\"><h1>Your Work. Your Voice. Your Union.<\/h1><p>\u2014 Because you deserve to be heard.<br><\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"still\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/15464824096_e34cb75246_c.jpg);\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-controls-container\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-controls\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-icon\" title=\"Accessibility controls\">Accessibility controls<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control cl-accessibility-motion-control cl-accessibility-control-hidden\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-default\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Pause motion\">Pause motion<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Motion: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">On<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-alternate\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Play motion\">Play motion<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Motion: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">Off<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control cl-accessibility-contrast-control\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-default\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Increase text contrast\">Increase text contrast<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Contrast: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">Standard<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-alternate\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-button\" title=\"Reset text contrast\">Reset text contrast<\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-control-label\">Contrast: <span class=\"cl-accessibility-syntax\">High<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-system-setting\"><div class=\"cl-accessibility-toggle\" title=\"Apply my preferences site-wide\"><\/div><div class=\"cl-accessibility-toggle-label\">Apply site-wide<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-promo-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-promo   micro\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/contact-psa\/\" class=\"cl-promo-micro-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-promo-micro-content\"><h1>NEED ASSISTANCE? READY TO JOIN?\nLet&#8217;s connect!<\/h1><span class=\"cl-promo-micro-text-link\">PSA Officers and \nArea Representatives <\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"355\" height=\"346\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/PSA-URI-logo-transp-blue-png.png\" alt=\"PSA Logo\" class=\"wp-image-153\" style=\"width:171px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/PSA-URI-logo-transp-blue-png.png 355w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/PSA-URI-logo-transp-blue-png-300x292.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-boxout-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-boxout  \"><h1>About URI Locally:<\/h1>\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Locally, PSA:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Negotiates and enforces the collective bargaining agreement<\/strong> (\u201cthe contract\u201d) with the URI Board of Trustees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Assists members<\/strong> with salary, reclassification, and benefits questions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Represents employees<\/strong> in the grievance process and workplace matters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coordinates sick-leave donations<\/strong> through the PSA Sick Bank Committee for members facing medical hardship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sponsors the annual PSA Scholarship<\/strong> and other community-building initiatives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>PSA officers and area representatives serve every division and campus location\u2014from Kingston to Bay and Providence\u2014providing direct, member-to-member support and ensuring the professional staff voice is represented in all aspects of university life<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/neari-logo-final.jpg\" alt=\"NEARI Logo\" class=\"wp-image-1736\" style=\"width:247px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/neari-logo-final.jpg 550w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/neari-logo-final-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/neari-logo-final-364x199.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/neari-logo-final-500x273.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-boxout-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-boxout  \"><h1>About NEA Rhode Island (NEARI)<\/h1>\n\n<p>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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As NEARI itself states: <em>\u201cOur Association is a remarkable blend of union and professional organization, with a proud history of serving Rhode Island.\u201d<\/em>  The membership numbers are substantial: NEARI\u2019s 12,000 members are connected with the national association and work in classrooms, colleges, libraries, laboratories, state and local government offices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Notably, NEARI describes itself as \u201cTHE voice for one in every 100 Rhode Islanders.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Membership in NEARI brings both protections and tangible benefits. On the protections side, NEARI emphasizes that members have a union voice in the workplace\u2014\u201cTogether we\u2019re stronger. Together we\u2019re heard.\u201d Through collective action and negotiated contracts, members gain access to formal grievance rights, seniority protections, and just\u2010cause discipline standards (among other rights described on NEARI\u2019s \u201cBecome a Member\u201d page). On the benefit side, NEARI highlights: <em>\u201cAs a dues-paying member, you can find ways to save money in almost every area of your life.\u201d<\/em>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Member benefits include discounts on insurance, travel, shopping, financial services, and access to free life insurance\u2014all part of the broader value package that complements the workplace protections. Together, these protections and benefits underscore NEARI\u2019s role as both a professional association and a labor union\u2014working to improve conditions, compensation, and respect for members while also advancing public-education and public-service goals throughout Rhode Island.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-promo-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-promo   micro\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/contact-psa\/\" class=\"cl-promo-micro-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-promo-micro-content\"><h1>NEED ASSISTANCE? READY TO JOIN?\nLet&#8217;s connect!<\/h1><span class=\"cl-promo-micro-text-link\">PSA Officers and \nArea Representatives <\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/section>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/nea-logo.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2262\" style=\"width:469px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/nea-logo.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/nea-logo-300x78.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/nea-logo-768x199.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/nea-logo-364x95.jpeg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2104\/nea-logo-500x130.jpeg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\"><section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-boxout-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-boxout  \"><h1>Our National Connection to NEA<\/h1>\n\n<p>The University of Rhode Island Professional Staff Association (PSA) is proud to be part of the National Education Association (NEA)\u2014the largest professional employee organization in the country, representing more than 3 million members across all fifty states. The NEA is <em>\u201ccommitted to advancing public education by championing justice, excellence, and the collective power of educators.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of NEA Higher Education, URI PSA members join colleagues from universities and colleges nationwide who <em>\u201cwork to ensure that every student\u2014regardless of background\u2014has access to quality learning supported by respected, well-compensated professionals.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through this local\u2013state\u2013national partnership\u2014<strong>PSA \u2192 NEARI \u2192 NEA<\/strong>\u2014we stand united in protecting the rights, dignity, and professional growth of all members who serve the University of Rhode Island community.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-promo-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-promo   micro\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/contact-psa\/\" class=\"cl-promo-micro-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-promo-micro-content\"><h1>NEED ASSISTANCE? READY TO JOIN?\nLet&#8217;s connect!<\/h1><span class=\"cl-promo-micro-text-link\">PSA Officers and \nArea Representatives <\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":725,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2218","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/725"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2218"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2218\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2364,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2218\/revisions\/2364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/psa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}