by Professor Jennifer Proffitt
Bargaining
On February 11, the UFF-FSU bargaining team began negotiations with the BOT team regarding market equity distribution. At that meeting, the teams agreed on ground rules, and the UFF-FSU team presented our proposal, which is largely based on the 2007 joint labor-management report regarding market equity (you can find this report on our website). The next bargaining session is scheduled for March 11.
Consultations
We have had two consultations with FSU administrators since the last Faculty Senate meeting. At the December 10 consultation that included President Thrasher and other FSU administrators, we discussed market equity, hiring plans, pre-employment criminal background checks, and the legislative outlook for 2015. I should note that the original criminal background check discussion I had with administrators in the fall suggested that all faculty would be subject to criminal background checks, but we resisted and pointed out that it would have to be bargained if applicable to current bargaining unit members. The minutes from our December consultation are posted on our website.
The primary focus of the January 14 consultation was a UFF-FSU presentation regarding the goals and objectives of our market equity proposal. Our next consultation is scheduled for March 4.
Luncheon
Our December luncheon with President Thrasher was well-attended and informative. Our next luncheon, scheduled for next Thursday, February 26, will feature Jeff Wright, Director of Public Policy Advocacy of the Florida Education Association, who will preview the 2015 Legislative session. Lunch is free for UFF members and their guests, $12 for all others. If you are interested in attending, please email me at [email protected]
Legislative Committee Weeks
UFF-FSU is carefully following several bills, including guns on campus and secrecy in president, provost, and dean searches. We are now analyzing a new bill about college affordability that includes among other things the textbook affordability proposals similar to last year’s bill, including the requirement that professors use the same textbooks for three years among other problematic proposals.
The concealed weapons on campus bill passed along party lines in one House Committee and one Senate Committee. The secrecy in president, provost, and dean searches bill that would exempt portions of president, provost, and dean searches from public record and meeting requirements, including the names of those who have applied and the vetting of these candidates, passed at its first Senate Committee. The UFF-FSU chapter has passed resolutions opposing the guns and secrecy bills. You can find our resolutions on our website, uff-fsu.org