COVID-19 RESPONSE

UFF-UNF began impact bargaining sessions in March 2020 in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All updates related to impact bargaining activity can be found here.

Memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a contractual document between two entities entering into a negotiated agreement. Multiple MOUs have been ratified by faculty and the UNF BOT since the start of the pandemic. The terms of these MOUs are negotiated during impact bargaining sessions. The UFF-UNF Bargaining Team relies heavily on faculty input when negotiating the terms of these agreements. Below is a comprehensive list of MOUs drafted in response to the pandemic:

MOU 3/1/22

• Permits faculty to address the impact of COVID in their Annual Evaluation Portfolio/Annual Report of Activities
• Inserts a COVID statement that accompanies ISQ results for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 (to be included when preparing promotion and tenure dossiers in the future)
• Permits the inclusion of a “Teaching, Research and Service COVID-19 Chair Statement” in annual evaluations (to be included when preparing promotion and tenure dossiers in the future)
• Confirms all other CBA rights and collective bargaining rights will be retained during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  

MOU 3/4/21

Extends visiting appointments currently contracted for the 2020-21 academic year, when offered by the university, by one additional year for the 2021-22 academic year, for a maximum of five years

MOU 2/17/21

• Permits faculty to address the impact of COVID in their Annual Evaluation Portfolio/Annual Report of Activities
• Reminds faculty of the option to include a self-rating in their Annual Evaluation Portfolio/Annual Report of Activities
• Inserts a COVID statement that accompanies ISQ results for Academic Year 2020-2021 and Summers 2020-2021 (to be included when preparing promotion and tenure dossiers in the future)
• Inserts a COVID statement (watermark) on Annual Evaluations (to stay attached when preparing promotion and tenure dossiers in the future)
• Permits the inclusion of a “Teaching, Research and Service COVID-19 Chair Statement” in annual evaluations (to be included when preparing promotion and tenure dossiers in the future)
• Agrees that any future impacts on ISQs as a result of the pandemic can be raised and both sides will engage in good-faith bargaining on those impacts
• Extends relevant provisions of prior MOUs

MOU 9/1/20

• Ensures faculty ownership of faculty-created content of any course converted to remote instruction during the Fall semester of 2020.
• Permits faculty who are unable to deliver assigned courses to completion the ability to transfer course materials to another faculty member during the Spring and Summer 2020 semesters.
• Allows for tenure-track faculty (including new faculty starting in the Fall 2020 semester) to increase the tenure-earning period by one year (timeline extended to December 15, 2020).
• Ensures that attendance to online conferences be regarded as the same as in-person attendance for Fall 2020.
• Confirms all other CBA rights will be retained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MOU 6/30/20

• Retains the responsibility of UNF and UFF to responsibly plan for campus reopening, guided by the Florida Board of Governors Blueprint.
• Commits UNF and UFF to incorporate the University’s environmental health and safety procedures and COVID-19 related protocols regarding high risk populations, social distancing, sanitizing and cleaning, prevention methods and transmission minimizations, and CDC, FLDOH, an DCDOH recommendations when enforcing procedures and recommendations.
• Acknowledges the need to remain agile and ready to revise procedures and recommendations in preparation for the fall semester in addition to acknowledging the need for UNF and UFF to work together (along with the larger campus community) to create a safe campus environment.
• Reinforces safety protocol procedures in Article 15 of the CBA.
• Confirms all other CBA rights and collective bargaining rights will be retained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MOU 4/10/20

• Ensures faculty ownership of faculty-created content of any course converted to remote instruction during the Spring and Summer semesters of 2020.
• Permits faculty who are unable to deliver assigned courses to completion the ability to transfer course materials to another faculty member during the Spring and Summer 2020 semesters.
• Allows individual faculty to determine administration of ISQs for courses taught in Spring and Summer 2020 semesters.
• Allows individual faculty to determine use of ISQs for courses taught in Spring and Summer 2020 to be used for annual evaluation and tenure appraisal.
• Allows individual faculty to determine use of ISQs for courses taught in Spring and Summer 2020 to be used for tenure or promotion dossier.
• Adjusts the administration schedule of Spring ISQs for timely completion of faculty ISQ opt-out form.
• Confirms that tenure-track faculty can exercise the option to increase the tenure-earning period by one year (in addition to periods pursuant to the CBA), and that the University will collaborate with UFF for consequential protocol enforcement.
• Acknowledges online attendance to approved conferences for Spring and Summer 2020 semesters be treated as equal to in-person attendance.
• Confirms all other CBA rights will be retained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To best advocate for faculty needs during impact bargaining sessions, UFF-UNF routinely surveyed faculty and invited faculty input on issues related to the effects of the pandemic. Below are several important faculty input activities:

UFF-UNF Community Survey, 6/6/20

• UNF community was surveyed on the importance of CDC Guidelines for addressing Covid-19, especially in light of the university’s decision to return to campus at the start of the Fall 2020 semester

UFF-UNF & Faculty Association Survey, 6/30/20-7/22/20

• A joint survey was released to faculty, monitored and analyzed by UNF-UFF and Faculty Association
• The survey sought faculty feedback to the university’s response to Covid-19
• Survey results indicated faculty are concerned about exposure to Covid-19 on campus and many preferred to adjust course delivery

UFF-UNF Survey on Research & ISQs, 8/6/2020

• A survey was administered to determine faculty positions regarding research productivity and opportunities and the administration of ISQs
• Survey results were then used to establish positions for impact bargaining sessions

UFF-UNF Survey on ISQ Administration, 10/20/2020

• A survey was administered to determine faculty positions regarding ISQ administration for the Fall 2020 semester
• Survey results were then used to establish positions for impact bargaining sessions

UFF-UNF Faculty Survey on UNF’s Mask Mandate, 5/10/2021

• On 5/7, UNF announced a lifting of its on-campus mask mandate, which breached a ratified MOU to follow health and safety guidelines put forward by public health departments, including the CDC
• On 5/7, UNF-UFF filed the first step in the grievance process in response to the lifting of the mask mandate
• A Google Doc was then sent to faculty for feedback and input on the university’s decision

UFF-UNF Instruction Modality Feedback, 8/27/2021

• Due to ongoing impact bargaining negotiations related to instruction modality, UNF-UFF sought feedback from faculty teaching face-to-face for the Fall 2020 semester
• Data from the survey was used to better understand on-campus teaching experiences to use in future efforts to advocate for faculty
• A new survey was released weekly through the Spring 2022 semester

UFF-UNF Spring 2022 Plans Feedback, 1/3/22

• With rising infection rates in Florida, UNF-UFF sought feedback from faculty regarding the university’s plans for Spring 2022
• Feedback from the survey was disseminated during a Town Hall Event on 1/5/22

UFF-UNF-sponsored town hall and forum events serve to engage faculty and provide spaces for in-unit faculty to voice concerns related to a variety of issues. To date, the following events have been held:

Coronavirus Questions Zoom Meeting, 3/19/20

• In effort to gather faculty input on the SUS’s decision to transition to remote instruction and UNF’s decision to transition to remote work, UFF-UNF gathered faculty insight on these decisions in a Google Doc.
• Questions were then compiled based on faculty responses and forwarded to the UNF-BOT bargaining team and UNF administration for response.
• This Zoom event invited faculty to further discuss the list of questions.

Town Hall Event 5/19/21-5/29/20

• In response to the BOG’s plan to move forward with reopening universities in the fall, UFF-UNF planned a Town Hall event to discuss a range of issues affecting faculty, including remote work and campus safety.
• Prior to the event, solicited feedback via a Google Doc where faculty could anonymously voice questions, comments, needs, and concerns about the reopening of campus in 2020.
• Forwarded a list of 45 questions gathered from the Google Doc to Provost Rhodes and FA leaders and requested answers.
• Held a zoom Town Hall discussion with 70+ in attendance to develop policy positions on areas of evident consensus, to then be sent to Provost Rhodes and President Szymanski.

Forum on Faculty Rights 7/31/2020

• Zoom event held for in-unit faculty to highlight faculty rights and protections per the CBA and MOUs reached as a result of impact bargaining.
• Presented updates from the UFF-UNF Faculty Bargaining Team.
• Held a Q&A for faculty with questions concerning their rights in light of the COVID-19’s impact on faculty activities.

Town Hall Event 8/5/21

• Zoom event held to gather insight from all in-unit faculty regarding potential impacts of the pandemic and the university’s Fall 2021 reopening policies.

UNF-BOT Meeting Rally 8/12/21

• Public comment during the scheduled BOT meeting was used to address the need for leadership on health and safety in light of the ongoing effects of the pandemic and surge in the omicron variant.
• Concerned community members peacefully rallied outside of the Student Union during the meeting
• The rally and meeting received local media coverage from:  First Coast News, WJCT, and News4Jax.

Town Hall Event 1/5/21

• With Covid infections in Florida increasing by 1000% in late 2020, UNF-UFF held a virtual Town Hall for all in-unit faculty to share feedback from survey data gathered in light of the infection increase
• The Town Hall event also gathered feedback from faculty regarding the university’s plans for Spring 2022
• Information related to ongoing impact bargaining sessions was also communicated to attendees

Various letters have been written to a number of university officials advocating for faculty rights amid the pandemic, including:

List of Questions sent to UNF-BOT Bargaining Team & Administration 3/14/2020

• Insight from faculty was initially gathered via a Google Doc.
• Based on faculty feedback, a list of questions regarding the initial impact of remote work, workplace safety, continuity of instruction, ISQs, and employee benefits were compiled into a list.
• The list of questions were then forwarded to the UNF-BOT bargaining team and UNF administration for response.

Letter to Provost, President, and UNF BOT 6/2/2020

• Sent letters to Provost Rhodes and President Szymanski (with the BOT cc’d), documenting consensus findings based on the May 29th Town Hall event, preceding activities related to the coronavirus pandemic, and BOG’s plan to reopen campus for the Fall 2020 semester.
• Explained the purpose, timeline, and hopeful impacts of the Town Hall event.
• Delivered consensus findings, including the need for guidelines to be driven by data/science; individual faculty rights to determine mode of teaching; implementation of CDC guidelines for cleaning/disinfecting campus spaces; implementation and enforcement of safety protocols for all individuals on campus.
• Reported on Google Doc findings, including policy, safety, course instruction, and healthcare concerns.

Letter to President 6/27/2020

• Urged President Szymanski to pause the university’s plan to reopen campus on August 5, 2020.
• Asked for the implementation of a fully remote start of Fall 2020 classes, beginning August 17, 2020.

Joint Statement by UFF-UNFLeadership and Provost 7/1/2020

• A joint statement was issued by UFF-UNF President Kally Malcom-Bjorklund and Provost Simon Rhodes to faculty.
• The statement recognized the most recent MOU, dated 6/30/2020, which related to campus safety and environmental health; the fall 2020 semester; collaboration between faculty, staff, and students; breaches in safety protocols; and the right to continue impact bargaining.

Message to Faculty Regarding Health and Safety Reporting 8/12/2020

• In preparation for a return to campus for the Fall 2020 semester, UFF-UNF leadership sent a message to all faculty with information related to reporting health and safety conditions
• Informed faculty that per university policy and guidelines in Article 15.2 of the CBA, unsafe conditions should be reported to Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), who then conducts an investigation into the report.

Joint Statement by UFF-UNF and Faculty Association 5/12/2021

• In response to May 7th’s announcement by UNF that lifted a mask mandate, Faculty Association and UFF-UNF sent a joint statement to faculty

Letter to President 1/3/2021

• An open letter was sent by UFF-UNF to Interim President Pamela Chally outlining the urgency of the projected Omicron variant surge in Florida and need for a coordinated response to mitigate harm to the community.
• The letter asks UNF to offer remote options for faculty and students for 2-3 weeks or until the surge subsides; to communicate with students and faculty of the established definitions of course delivery methods; offer flexibilities for instructional modalities; provide stronger policies, education, and outreach campaigns regarding masking on campus, testing, and contact tracing; provide greater support for faculty including ADA accommodations and FMLA leave; and provide immediate and continued impact bargaining sessions.

In the Spring 2021 semester, a UNF announcement lifted an on-campus mask mandate, breaching a ratified MOU to follow health and safety guidelines put forth by public health departments, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Following the announcement, chapter leadership sought faculty feedback in the form of a Google Doc, which faculty accessed and commented on from 5/8/2021-5/11/2021.

On 5/11/2021, leadership from UFF-UNF and Faculty Association (FA) released a joint statement expressing concern “with UNF’s announcement about the change to its mask policy.”

While an informal resolution meeting was held between UFF-UNF and UNF representatives on 5/18/2021, a formal grievance hearing was ultimately held on 8/11/2021 with a university official. After the grievance hearing, arbitration was scheduled for fall 2021 and postponed due to scheduling conflicts.

In May 2022, the UFF-UNF chapter council members voted not to pursue arbitration due to changes in the Covid-19 circumstance and administrative leadership, and the need to resolve more pressing pandemic-related issues.

Prior to the start of the Fall 2021 semester, UFF-UNF oversaw both a petition and organized a Day of Action.

Petition to Keep Our UNF Community Safe 8/8/2021

• A community petition was created with three simple asks of the UNF BOT, President, Provost, VPs, and Deans: 1) Return to the bargaining table to consider UFF-UNF’s proposed MOU; 2) Honor previous commitments to campus safety by following CDC guidelines; and, 3) Show compassion for the UNF community and their health and safety.
• www.change.org/keepUNFsafe

Day of Action 8/12/2021

• Peaceful rally outside of the Student Union on campus during the 8/12/2021 BOT meeting provides the UNF community with a space to express their feelings on the recent announcements made by the university in light of the ongoing pandemic.
• Both the rally and meeting received local media coverage: First Coast News, WJCT, News4Jax.

University Policy alongside Article 15 of the CBA dictates how and when campus community members should report, investigate, and resolve unsafe conditions, including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic.Reporting: As university employees, it is our duty to report unsafe conditions, per university policy, to a direct supervisor. These unsafe conditions should be reported to Environmental Health and Safety online here.

Investigating: University employees should not perform tasks which involve acts or conditions they have reported to be unsafe until receiving clearance from their supervisor. The Director of EHS shall reply to the reported concern within 7 days after notification of the faculty member’s concern. This reply shall be in writing when the concern was communicated in writing.

Outcomes and Protections: If the outcome or resulting action doesn’t adequately alleviate a faculty member’s concerns or meet the time requirements for intervention, employees should reach out to UFF-UNF. There are no penalties or disincentives related to reporting hazards or unsafe acts.