Collective Bargaining is generally described as a process whereby a group of employees forms an organization to negotiate the terms and conditions of employment with the employer. Since April 2, 1976, the State Board of Regents has recognized the United Faculty of Florida (UFF) as the exclusive representative for purposes of collective bargaining for all employees in the bargaining unit. (Appendix A of the Collective Bargaining Agreement lists all in-unit appointments.) Membership in UFF is voluntary, and discrimination based on membership or non-membership is not permitted.
Governance of the United Faculty of Florida is democratic and proportional. The number of dues-paying members in the Florida State University Chapter determines its influence on UFF policy decisions relative to the other eight chapters in the State University System.
Because the Collective Bargaining Agreement covers all employees in the bargaining unit including non-members, everyone in the academic community is urged to read the Agreement and question the various articles if the meaning or intent is unclear. The document is a legal contract which all have agreed, through the negotiation process, to abide by. Only state and federal laws and regulations supersede the provisions of the Agreement.
Matters of particular concern to faculty are addressed, namely academic freedom, nondiscrimination, assignment of responsibilities, evaluations, promotion and tenure, salaries, fringe benefits, sabbaticals and leaves, termination, layoff and recall, and other employee rights.
The University encourages open communication between administrators and faculty; formal grievance procedures are only resorted to where resolution of a problem is not possible on an informal basis. The steps involved in the grievance procedure are indicated in the Agreement. Employees, whether or not UFF members, may consult with the union steward in their school or department, and they may be represented by a union grievance specialist in a Step One meeting with University President's representative, and at Step Two with the Chancellor's representative.
Not subject to the grievance procedure, but nevertheless an important statement of intent and policy, the Preamble to the Collective Bargaining Agreement emphasizes maintaining and strengthening the collegial system of shared governance so as to promote high standards of academic excellence in all phases of instruction, research and service. The Collective Bargaining Agreement provides certain protections, but responsibility for carrying out duties in the most professional manner possible and making the collegial relationship effective is still dependent on each individual in the academic community.