Archive for November, 2008

Ratification process

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

After the two sides reach a tentative agreement in collective bargaining, each side must go through a ratification process. For the union, that means a vote open to all employees in the bargaining unit (whether members or not), with information about changes in the collective bargaining agreement available to all employees.

The exact dates and times for balloting on the one-year tentative agreement reached on Wednesday are not yet set, but on the Tampa and St Pete campuses, they will probably be in front of or in the library, and they will probably be late in the last week of classes. Information on the tentative agreement will be on the ratification information page early next week, as well as elsewhere.

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Tentative agreement

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

The USF Board of Trustees and the United Faculty of Florida are pleased to announce they have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. Details will be forthcoming early next week

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Missed opportunity with rejection of UFF sabbatical proposal

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008

As I explained at the Faculty Senate meeting this week, the Trustees’ non-response to our second proposal on the sabbatical floored me. It is in their own interest to increase the number of peer-reviewed sabbaticals, as something of value to both the university and faculty, as efficient, and as a guaranteed retention mechanism. According to the Tampa Tribune, the one-month cost of operating the new student center is more than $100,000, a figure that flabbergasted the student newspaper’s editorial board That one month of utilities on a single building is half of the marginal costs to USF of running the current sabbatical program described in section 22.3 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Which is better for research productivity? The Trustees missed an opportunity to be good managers as well as establish better relations with the faculty.

You can read the Article 22 proposal presented March 7, 2008 to make your own judgment about the proposal.

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Minutes November 14, 2008

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

USF-UFF Chapter Meeting


Attendance.
There were ten people in attendance.


Agenda & Introductions.
The agenda was approved.


Minutes.
The minutes from the October 31 meeting were approved.


Membership.
We are steadily gaining new members.


Transitions.
Priscilla Brewer was active in the UFF. She passed away last month.

  • Motion to make a $ 100 donation to Brewer’s memorial charity made, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Bill Benjamin handled grievances during the 1980s. He is retiring.

  • Bill Benjamin’s retirement party will be on Tuesday, December 9, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, in the TECO room.

  • Motion to present a $ 100 check to Benjamin made, seconded, and approved unanimously.


Reports.

  • Grievances.
    Discussion of outstanding grievances.

  • Bargaining.
    Discussion of the current situation.

  • Treasury.
    We have money.

    • Motion to authorize the Treasurer to transfer monies into CDs as appropriate approved by general consent.
  • Communications.
    Discussion of the Biweekly.


These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on November 18, 2008.

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Five proposals put on the table

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

Here are the five proposals that UFF-USF placed on the table in written form October 24, 2008, and November 5, 2008:

The UFF-USF Chief Negotiator made clear that all of these options were acceptable to the UFF.

Update: The BOT team has made the November 5 bargaining session minutes available.

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Minutes October 31, 2008

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008

USF-UFF Chapter Meeting

Membership.
There was a discussion of issues of concern to potential members.
Political Action.
There was a discussion of early voting.

Bargaining.
There was a discussion of the proposed Memoranda of Understanding.

Leroy Dubeck.
Motion made and seconded that the USF/UFF Chapter co-sponsor a presentation on the USF financial situation by Leroy Dubeck; co-sponsorship shall be with the USF Faculty Senate and the USF Student Government. Motion approved.

Faculty Senate.
Faculty Senate Vice President Steve Permuth reported on current activities of the Faculty Senate.

Grievances.
The Grievance Chair reported on grievances.

Meeting Adjourned.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on November 3, 2008.

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