Beyond Wisconsin and Here in Florida

As in our own 2010 Gubernatorial election, yesterday’s Wisconsin recall election results seem to underscore the Perverted Golden Rule: “Those with the gold make the rules.” We can take some cold comfort in knowing that it took a substantial spending advantage to achieve these results. Estimates heard in recent days put the spending advantage for Walker and allies between 3:1 and 7.5:1. There is also encouragement in that Walker’s allies lost control of the Wisconsin Senate in yesterday’s elections. Although Wisconsin is 1000+ miles away, events there and here are part of a national pattern. For a good concise summary focused on higher education funding aspects of that pattern, see: Read More →

Highlights and Comments from the May, 2012 FSU Faculty Poll

An expanded edition of the report on the May, 2012 FSU Faculty Poll is now
available at the www.uff-fsu.org web site,
or via direct link at:

https://uff-fsu.org/art/May2012FacPollResultsAll-Post.pdf

This edition includes hundreds of faculty comments that help to clarify and
elaborate on the meaning of the quantitative results released last week.  The
quantitative results appear in both editions. Read More →

Retirement Cuts and Legal Challenges

The UFF-FSU Chapter will sponsor a May 24 luncheon featuring attorneys Thomas
W. Brooks and Lynn C. Hearn to discuss legal aspects of recent cuts in
retirement benefits.  Please let me know if you plan to attend so that we can be
sure to have enough food and drink for all.  Here is an excerpt from a
downloadable flyer available at

https://uff-fsu.org/art/fly20120524RetCuts.pdf

Read More →

Merit Bonus and Other Updates

In response to a UFF-FSU Facilitation request and meeting (see Sec. 20.8(a) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement), FSU Administration representatives notified UFF-FSU representatives on Monday that additional merit bonus distributions will be made in several colleges and other academic units.  The Facilitation was initiated because UFF-FSU analysis indicated certain units distributed less bonus funds than called for by the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) negotiated between the Administration and UFF.  Bargaining Co-Chair Dr. Scott Hannahs, Grievance
Chair Dr. Lee Stepina, UFF Service Unit Director Tom Wazlavek, and I conducted
the analysis and represented the UFF in the Faciliation meeting.

Colleges/units that should see substantial additional distributions include Motion Picture Arts (Film School), Student Affairs, Social Work, Institute for Science and Public Affairs, Graduate School, Ringling Center, Human Sciences, Undergraduate Studies, Visual Arts, Theatre, and Dance, Learning Systems Institute, and Education.

Read More →