Bargaining & Ratification

We believe we have reached a final negotiation for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2021-2024. Right now this agreement is verbal and awaiting final signatures, public access to the final article language and one last bargaining session on Wednesday February 16 at 1:30pm, so it is not yet final.

At this last meeting we will finalize Article 30 and sign off on any outstanding articles we have agreed to and post them on the CBA webpage so they are all available to you. We anticipate the entire tentative agreement will be live and online by 4pm on February 16. I will send out a link when all the articles to the tentative agreement are live.

We have a verbally agreed to a 2.5% raise for those making more than $48,500 and those less will receive a 3.5% raise. Added to that will be a $2,500 one time payment. These funds will be distributed May 6, 2022.

We will host an online ratification for this CBA from Monday February 21 at 8am until February 28 at 11:59pm. Directions for how to vote and access to the ballot will come in a subsequent email closer to the ratification date will also host two Ratification Town Halls, the first Friday February 18 at 11:30am and the second Tuesday February 22 at 4:30pm. At these Town Halls the bargaining team and I will be there to answer any questions you might have about the CBA. By law we cannot ask or encourage you to vote yes or no, we can only encourage you to vote. These town halls are going to be informational in nature, not organizing meetings.

Everyone in the bargaining unit are eligible to vote in the ratification, you don’t have to be a union member to vote on the CBA. Since the CBA impacts everyone, casting your vote is encouraged.

The final bargaining session for this CBA will be on Wednesday February 16 at 1:30pm. We will finalize the remaining articles including Article 30. If you wish to attend and support the bargaining team use this link to the virtual meeting https://events.ucf.edu/event/2317421/faculty-collective-bargaining-notice/

Legislative Update

SB 520: Public Records and Public Meetings-this bill would allow president searches for public colleges and universities to be exempt from public records legislation. It would move presidential searches into the dark until the end of the process. Right now this legislation was heading for a floor vote in the Senate on Thursday February 3, but has been moved for a Senate vote today (February 9). You can follow the bill here
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/520 The House version is still in various committees waiting a final vote in the Senate before it moves out of committee.

HB 7051: Postsecondary Education is a new draft bill introduced in committee. This bill requires colleges and universities to keep a public record for 5 years on books assigned and any other instructional material for each class. Additionally it requires public colleges and universities to seek accreditation from a different accreditation agency every five years. [https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=76626]
There is a Senate companion to this bill SB 7044: Postsecondary Education. [https://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=76623&] Both bill are in committee in their respective bodies.

HB 1197: Employee Organizations Representing Public Employees-This is the draft bill from last year that failed to pass which would require public employee unions to have over 50% membership for certification but it would exclude police and fire departments. It is moving in various committees in the House while the Senate version is not moving yet. Right now it is in the House State Administration and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/1197

There still is no draft bill abolishing or revising tenure at public universities with the legislature.

In Solidarity,

Robert Cassanello
UFF-UCF, President