The UNF chapter of the United Faculty of Florida (UFF-UNF) represents all UNF tenure-, instructor-, lecturer-, and visiting-line faculty on all labor-related contract negotiations. With few exceptions (e.g., faculty currently holding administrative posts and part-time faculty) all UNF faculty are considered “in unit” and are therefore covered under the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiated by our chapter and university administration. In total, UFF-UNF represents over 600 full-time faculty. Active members of UFF-UNF have access to the resources noted above or receive additional union-related benefits (including union representation in the grievance/arbitration processes).
UFF-UNF is guided by its constitution and bylaws. It comprises over two-dozen council members: four officers, a grievance officer, senators who represent the university’s colleges and departments, and state and national delegates who represent UFF and UFF-UNF. All major labor issues requiring action are discussed by the chapter’s officers and senators with input from invited faculty (all in-unit faculty are welcome at all UNF chapter council meetings). Major decisions are debated and voted upon at these meetings.
The President of the Council–elected each Spring for a one-year term–appoints union members to serve on the chapter’s standing committees. The President also appoints faculty to serve on the Bargaining Team (the individuals who research and advocate for changes to the collective bargaining agreement and who negotiate with their counterparts in administration).* The union also solicits nominations and conducts elections for membership on various university faculty committees, such as the university-level Promotion and Tenure Committee and the Sabbatical Committee. Officers in the chapter also work directly with the Office of the President and Academic Affairs (including the Provost) to resolve current or potentially problematic issues.
*The collective bargaining agreement must be ratified by faculty vote (all in-unit faculty may vote upon the contract).
The United Faculty of Florida (UFF) is UFF-UNF’s parent organization. UFF represents faculty at a dozen Florida public state universities, sixteen Florida state colleges, one independent Florida university, and four Florida public state university graduate student chapters.
The statewide organization provides its chapters with myriad resources including:
- Chapter liaisons (specialists from the state organization who work with chapters)
- Legal advice and assistance with grievances and arbitration
- Legal representation for members requiring judicial remedies
- Political advice & lobbying (state and national levels)
- Direct access to our collective national organizations (see below)
The United Faculty of Florida is a part of The Florida Education Association (FEA), The National Education Association (NEA), The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).