HOME >> Salary Negotiations Update (September 6, 2006)

Salary Negotiations Update (September 6, 2006)

Apparently, a rumor is being spread that your union is holding up the State-mandated 3% across-the-board salary increase and promotion and other raises. That rumor is false. The union has twice offered to sign agreements that would legally permit the Administration to distribute the 3% and other raises that are not in dispute, and such an agreement seems close. What IS true is that there is no comprehensive agreement yet on merit and discretionary raises, although bargaining is continuing on those raises as well.

What problems still exist with the BOT proposal? First, it provides a smaller raise than UF faculty need and deserve if the goal is truly to approach the salary levels at top-tier universities. Our BOT is offering an even smaller percentage raise than faculty at most other universities in the State will receive this year. At least two SUS universities have signed agreements for salary packages in excess of 6%; three others have offered packages of about 5% -- in each case these increases are being awarded ON TOP OF promotion raises. On the other hand, UF is offering a package of, in equivalent terms, about 3.9% (because the BOT is subtracting promotion/SPPP raises from the merit raise).

But there are other important issues that have not been resolved. UFF wants a salary agreement that will:

  • · Ensure that no department is short-changed of its proportionate share of the merit raise pool.
  • · Ensure that every faculty member who is evaluated as meritorious actually gets a merit raise.
  • · Provide a clear and simple distribution formula for any department that does not already have a method for translating the merit rating into actual merit pay.
  • · Bring promotion/SPPP rates in line with those at other universities in Florida. (UF is now tied for last in the percentage raise given for promotions).
  • · Establish criteria and procedures for measuring faculty salaries in relation to their national market by rank, discipline, and demonstrated merit, and dedicate funds to help eliminate current salary inequities.
  • · Establish compensation guidelines for increased administrative duties in positions like department chair, center/program director, graduate coordinator, or undergraduate coordinator.
  • · Ensure that each faculty member gets a breakdown of the exact amount, by category, of their raise, and that the union gets a complete report of the distribution of this year's raises.

Surprisingly, so far the BOT has refused to agree to any of these things.

UFF will be providing additional information shortly on these and other issues, as well as providing documentation on the UFF website: www.uff-uf.org.


Sincerely,

Diana Bitz
President, United Faculty of Florida
238 Norman Hall, PO Box 117055
Phone: 392-0274
Email: president@uff-uf.org