Uncommon Sense

The Newsletter of the United Faculty of Florida, USF Chapter

(an FTP/NEA Affiliate)

Volume 8, Number 1 Fall, 1999

The Voice of the University Professional

One of the most frequent questions that I hear from both old and prospective members is why should I join the union? Or put another way, what can the union do for me? Or why should I join the union when I get most of the benefits of being a union member without having to join?

Perhaps the most important reason to join the union is that it is the organization, by law, which is designated to negotiate the bargaining agreement by which your job at the university is regulated. The best way to have input into the bargaining process is to be an active member in the union. Second, the amount of influence that the faculty have with the Board of Regents, the designated bargaining agent for the legislature, is directly proportional to the number of faculty who are paying members of the union. The more members that we have the more they will listen to our proposals.

In answer to the question, what can the union do for me? In addition to representing you before the policy makers in State Government the Union is your first line of defense when the appropriate procedures and rules spelled out in the bargaining agreement, relative to tenure, promotion, and assignment of duties, are violated. The Union is the authorized agent by which faculty can grieve violations of the contract and unfair labor practices. The union has negotiated a meaningful grievance procedure with independent arbitration.

The Union has also provided, through collective bargaining, a number of important benefits for faculty including full salary for summer teaching, court action to restore faculty benefits, faculty determined merit pay criteria, across-the-board salary increases, compression and inversion salary raises, gender and market discrimination salary equity raises, and protection of faculty intellectual rights, among others.

The answer to the third question, why should I join the Union when I get most of the benefits of being a Union member without joining? This is a question that you have to ask yourself. Are you the kind of person who wishes to get a free ride on the back of those of your colleagues who are willing to put in the time and effort to protect all of the faculties' rights? For those of you who are considering membership in the Union, join with us in our attempt to make the university a true community of scholars working for the best interests of higher education.

IMPORTANT: You MUST file the grievance within thirty calendar days of when you knew or should have known of the violation.
Otherwise, the grievance will not be processed at all.

The grievance goes through three ``steps''. In Step 1, there is an attempt to work things out informally. If that fails, a hearing is held at the Provost's Office. Hopefully, that will resolve matters. If not, an unfavorable Step 1 decision may be appealed, and then a Step 2 hearing is held in Tallahassee before a representative of the Chancellor. (Grievance representation at Step 2 is free for members, but $ 200 for non-members.) If Step 2 unsuccessful, the Union may choose to go to `arbitration'. Note that the it is the Union that must pursue arbitration: the Union has to be careful here because arbitration costs big bucks and sets precedents. (The Union charges non-members $ 2,500 for arbitration; again, members are not charged.)

The important thing to remember is that you have thirty days to act. Filing a grievance does not commit you to open warfare, it only keeps your options open. And a grievance makes it clear that you are serious.

One additional point: save all documentation. If possible, record in a journal (with dates) everything that happens. Decisions are based on facts and contract clauses.

Remember, the contract can't enforce itself, and you must know your rights if you are to enforce them. For more on the Grievance Procedure, consult Article 20 of the contract, and our website (for a longer version of this article, click here). If you have a problem, contact our Grievance Chair, Mark Klisch, phone 974-9273, or e-mail mklisch@cchd.cfr.usf.edu..

The Florida section of our parent union, the National Educational Association, and the Florida section of the American Federation of Teachers (an AFL-CIO affiliate) have decided to merge, forming a ``unified education organization'' called Education Florida. The Florida Teaching Profession/ NEA and the Florida Education Association/ United (of the AFT) approved a new Constitution, Bylaws, and Transition Agreement. Education Florida will be affiliated with both the NEA and the AFT.

The United Faculty of Florida, which is a ``local'' of FTP/NEA, will continue defend and advance the rights of university professionals. The merger will give us some more political clout.

Are you interested in becoming more active in the union? Are you interested in helping your colleagues? The Chapter is looking for union members willing to serve as stewards, to help with communication and membership.

The chapter consists of the 200+ members of UFF here at USF. This year, the elected officers are: Mitch Silverman, President; Bob Welker, First Vice President; Fred Zerla, Treasurer; Margaret Doherty, Secretary; Arthur (Mac) Miller, Vice President -- Sarasota.

The senators are: Mark Klish, Greg McColm, Art Shapiro, Surrendra Singh, Harry Venden, and Roy Weatherford. Their alternates are Samir Banoob, John Cooke, Ed Ford, Ilene Frank, Jana Futch, , Vic Peppard, Bruce Silver, Ed Strobel, Willis Truitt, and Nancy Tyson.

In addition, every Friday payday, there is a Chapter meeting in CIS 2084. Sandwiches & soda pop for $ 1. Come and join the movement.