UFF-FSUUnited Faculty of Florida

Florida State University Chapter

The Independent Voice of FSU Faculty

Matthew Lata

Professor of Music

UFF-FSU Chapter President

What is the United Faculty of Florida?

• A professional organization of, by, and for faculty

• A democratic, member-supported, volunteer-powered voice for higher education faculty at FSU and statewide

• Recognized by full faculty vote in 2003 as your sole bargaining agent for salary, benefits, academic freedom, tenure, evaluations, promotion, leaves, and sabbaticals

Who Does UFF Represent?

• All faculty with the exception of those in the Colleges of Law and Medicine– Tenured– Tenure Track– Specialized Faculty (Non-tenured)

• Includes regular, visiting, provisional, research, affiliate or joint appointments

Why Do Faculty Need UFF Representation?

• A strong faculty voice is a hallmark of a great university

• UFF is the FSU faculty’s only independent voice

• On campus: UFF is an equal partner in negotiating with the FSU administration

• Off campus: A strong voice in a challenging political environment (e.g., financial support, anti-shared governance, anti-tenure, security)

What UFF Does

• Advance and protect faculty interests and rights through collective bargaining consultations, and contract enforcement

• Surveys to highlight faculty views and concerns

• Workshops• Other informational

meetings, featuring “locals” and guests

• Grievance and legal representation

• UFF and affiliates lobby for faculty in state government

What else?• You don’t get

what you deserve, you get what you negotiate

• We’re making progress, but there’s more to do

• Competitive salaries and raises that motivate and retain faculty

• Fairness in assignments and evaluations

• Protecting tenure and improving employment security for all faculty

• Strengthening the university – including faculty autonomy, shared governance, and academic freedom – and resisting ill-considered “corporatist” initiatives

Why is membership important?

• Leverage at the bargaining table is directly proportional to the number of members

• Insure an effective voice an all matters of faculty governance

• Members have the right to vote in UFF elections and participate in governance

Proven results in 2014-2015

• Negotiated salary increases for all faculty despite Legislative inaction

• Progress made on Market Equity issues

• Helped block a bill allowing concealed weapons on campus

• Helped block a bill allowing secret searches for upper level administrators

Speaking of Representation…

• UFF policy– Faculty member must be a dues paying

member of UFF to be eligible for representation in case of grievance

– Must be a member when the incident occurred– Non-members must represent themselves or

retain their own counsel

• NOTE – membership is not automatic! You must complete a membership form to become a UFF member.

More reasons to become a member…

• Free $1 million professional liability policy

• Gain access to “members only” workshops, events and services, including free life insurance policies and legal representation

• It’s the right thing to do!

Support the UFF-FSU Chapter

• A strong UFF-FSU Chapter means a strong faculty voice

• Help make FSU a better university and a better place to work.

JOIN UFF-FSU TODAY!

Learn more about the UFF-FSU Chapter

– Visit www.uff-fsu.org, our Chapter website

• Download a copy of the Collective Bargaining Agreement

• Read the latest bargaining updates• Print a membership form

Thank you for your time!