Archive for February 10th, 2008

What have unions done for us?

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

Australian unions have one great answer on Youtube, but let’s be specific about faculty in Florida, beyond things that unions in general have fought for (minimum wage, the 40-hour work week, the Family and Medical Leave Act, health and safety laws, etc.):

  • Protection of academic freedom
  • Intellectual-property rights
  • An annual evaluation system whose specific guidelines department faculty determine
  • An independent advocate in Tallahassee (e.g., defeating the Baxley bill in 2005)
  • Phased retirement
  • A watchdog over the Florida Retirement System
  • Anti-discrimination language that includes sexual orientation
  • A grievance system to resolve disputes

If you haven’t already, join UFF today.

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