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Settle in for updates on Sociology, Syllabi, and the Session

Your UFF-HC Senators attended the United Faculty of Florida Spring Senate this past weekend. These Senate meetings are important for doing the business of the statewide chapter for higher education. In-depth updates will be provided at the upcoming FUSA meeting (2/28), but we can share some important updates here on the Sociology Curriculum issue as well as guidance for Syllabus posting.

There will be a webinar held Wed 2/18 at 6pm titled, Who Decides What to Teach: Sociology and the politics of the curriculum. We strongly urge all faculty to attend this because while it is particularly focused on the current Sociology curriculum issue in the state, union leadership has it on good authority that it won’t stop with Sociology. In fact, History and Psychology appear to the next disciplines to be targeted. Don’t miss this chance to hear what is at stake and how we can organize and fight back! Download the Flyer!

Also shared with senators was an in-depth guidance document on how to navigate the complex syllabi posting requirements at play in the state. Because the universities (SUS) are governed by the Board of Governors while the colleges (FCS) are by the State Board of Education there are some key differences for each. This document breaks down the requirements for each, what protections remain, what is NOT required, and more. Download the UFF Member Guidance!

Union-busting, busted?

If you haven’t heard the news from FEA or UFF, the union-busting bill (SB 1296) that was moving last week may have run into some headwinds. While it did pass the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee, it did so despite a barrage of pushback from union members across the state. Further, the Florida Senate’s own legal analysis identified six (!) violations of the Florida Constitution in the bill as currently written. Yet it still passed on party line votes with all six Republicans voting to pass it out of committee and all three Democrats voting NO.

Normally, this would be bad, terrible, no good news. However, according to FEA legislative analysts, the bill is not on the agenda for this week. And due to the arcane rules of the legislature and the amount of time left in the session, this doesn’t bode well for the bill’s longevity. That said, while we are cautiously optimistic, we aren’t going to let our guard down. If we need to step into action again we will make the call to members to join together and fight back the blatant attacks of worker’s rights to a collective voice.

If you are interested in the legal analysis, the following is from the FEA Frontline Report:

“SB 1296  is the Senate companion to HB 995. These bills are not only anti-freedom and anti-worker in nature, they are also blatantly unconstitutional. That’s not just our opinion, that’s the view of the independent staff in the Florida Senate tasked with writing an analysis of the bill. Pages 20-23 of the analysis outline the many ways in which the bill is unconstitutional.

Among the unconstitutional provisions of the bill are that it:

  • restricts free speech by constraining the activities unions can engage in,
  • abridges the right to collectively bargain,
  • violates the equal protection clause by creating two-tiers of public sector unions (public safety unions and then everyone else), and
  • contains multiple subjects in violation of Article III, Section 6 of Florida’s Constitution that requires every law to “embrace but one subject and matter properly connected therewith.”

We also encourage you to watch the hearing to see just how events transpired. These are not serious people! Yet their actions can have serious consequences. View the hearing on the Florida Channel (advance to 34:37 of the video).

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Baseball, bills, and brews with buddies

In the latest “Rays on campus” news, the Governor visited in person to announce his support for the development deal that stands to reshape the HC campus, the surrounding neighborhood, and perhaps even the city. According WFLA, “DeSantis said that while local officials are responsible for the legwork of securing approval and funding for the new stadium, the state government will help where it can. The state plans to convey the land to Hillsborough College, which will then work out a deal with the team.”

Bad bills

FEA and UFF are integral to lobbying for members in Tallahassee and informing members of the myriad education developments happening throughout the year but especially during the legislative session. The UFF Government relations committee (which has FUSA representation) works to provide guidance on new bills to support our members and help educate and organize around bills that are unfriendly to higher education, faculty, and our collective union voice. The mid-point of the Legislative session is next week (2/9-2/13) and things will begin to heat up fast. Here are some of the bills we are tracking:

  • HB 995 / SB 1296 — are more union busting bills aimed at educators. While SB 995 seems to have stalled, it is too early to get complacent. This is good news but it doesn’t yet mean the bill is dead.
  • HB 757 – would allow guns on college and university campuses similar to the “guardian program” in K-12

More ways to take action

Guidance

Recently, a number of guidance documents and links have been sent to members’ emails, in particular related to immigration, academic freedom, syllabi requirements, and more. If you aren’t receiving these updates from FEA and/or UFF (UFF President Cassanello’s messages are particularly informative and impactful), let us know using the Contact Us form. Be sure to use the personal email address at which you’d like to receive the updates.

The Faculty Brew

The first of three planned meet-ups for Spring term is happening this Friday, 2/6. The brainchild of fellow faculty member and FUSA member, Eric Fiske, it is meant to be an opportunity to connect outside of work to discuss faculty matters (or other matters). So let’s try to pack the place and enjoy some food, drinks, and conversations with colleagues.

Details for the first Faculty Brew:

Here is a flyer with details about all planned faculty socials and we’ll be sure to update you before the next one.

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Holiday tidings (and some work things)

We have some quick updates for faculty as we wrap up the semester and leave for the holiday break.

The MOU

First, we appreciate all who took the time during finals week mail to vote on and ratify a one-time extension of the tenure timeline for 2025-2026. It required a quick turnaround during one of the busiest weeks of the semester. The MOU passed 99-1. You can read the it here.

The reopener

FUSA and the Administration met on December 5, 2025 for the first bargaining session for the 2025-2026 contract reopener, which is limited to Article 14 (Economics) and discussions of possible options for long term disability coverage. Here is a summary of the negotiations:

  1. FUSA presented Article 14 proposing:
    1. a 7% + $1000 increase to the salary scale for 2026-2027, a $1000 increase to the salary scale for 2027-2028, along with a step increase for each year, and 
    2. an increase in overload to $82/load point for 2026-2027, and $84 /load point for 2027-2028.
  1. Administration gave a detailed presentation on Long Term Disability options, comparing five different company offerings and rationale for choosing The Guardian as the best potential option for employees.  It was agreed the next step would be for Administration to secure a contract with that company, tentatively by January.
  1. The next bargaining session will be at an appropriate date in the spring while the legislature is in session and budgets are being determined.  Dr. Atwater has stated that salary increases are once again a priority.

The session

The legislative session is set to start Jan 13 and run through Mar 13. There is even talk of a special session after the regular session. So it is already shaping up to be an eventful and consequential start to the new year. FUSA has Senators that work with UFF and FEA to help shape legislation public policy and legislation. If you have any questions about the process in Tallahasse or the government relations work UFF and FEA does, fee free to contact us with any questions or feedback. You can follow the session with some handy tools:

If you’ve followed education news in Florida in recent years you know the stakes we are facing. It will require engagement from members like you to shine a light on the legislative process in Tallahassee. The more they hear from our members the less they can ignore our collective voice. Stay tuned for updates both here and in your inbox from UFF & FEA.

We hope you have a wonderful and restful holiday break and look forward to seeing you on Jan 8 at Inservice.

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Meet your new contract

You may have seen the recent message from FUSA President Sherry Sippel that the new contract is ready after adding the bargaining updates and extensive proofing by both Admin and FUSA. The current contract is also always available to you here on the FUSA website. Just go to Contract Central (linked under Resources in the header).

We’ve sent it to the printer so if you are old school and would like a paper copy we will have a limited number available soon. Until then you can access the digital copy and review a bargaining summary. As usual, if you have any questions feel free to contact us or contact a campus representative.

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FUSA updates! (Talking Blues edition)

In the grand folk tradition of Talking Blues, the following post will address some recent issues affecting Higher Ed and workers in general. We aim to inform and, when possible, provide some options for organizing around and responding to these issues.

Woody Guthrie, could we use you now!

Talkin’ syllabi postin’ requirement blues

FUSA has learned through monitoring efforts by FEA public policy advocates and the UFF government relations committee that the State board of Education is amending the rule governing the FL Statute, 1004.085 – Textbook and instructional materials affordability and transparency, which contains the mandatory syllabi posting requirement.

One curious thing about laws not covered by Schoolhouse Rock is the rulemaking process. This is the process of laying out how the law (or statute) is implemented and interpreted. Where the law has the broad strokes, the rule includes the fine detail. Rulemaking authority is typically granted to the agency executing the law. Agencies can also amend the rules. In this case the State Board of Education (SBOE) is seeking to amend the previous rule imposing syllabus requirements in some significant and concerning ways.

While we’ve gotten used to posting our syllabi in advance and the process thus far has been fairly simple and straightforward, the SBOE seeks to change that. The new rule seeks to add the following onerous and unrealistic syllabus posting requirements:

  • Required and recommended textbooks and reading materials
  • student assignments including a title, brief description of the assignment, and any required readings

Find the full text of the of the proposed rule on the State’s page for FCS Textbook Affordability: Rule 6A-14.092, Florida Administrative Code. The State needs to hear from faculty about this ill-advised rule change and why it is simply not a realistic expectation. Leave your public comment on the State Board Rules Under Review page before the next State Board meeting on November 13, 2025. (look for the row: 6A-14.092 – Textbook and Course Material Affordability and Transparency)

Talkin’ get your politics outta my academic freedom blues

The attacks keep coming from both the federal and state levels. We need to stand up united and push back! Here are some resources on Academic Freedom from the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors as well as actions you can take to help protect it.

Talkin’ government shutdown sent me to the food kitchen blues

With the longest government shutdown in our history still affecting furloughed (or fired) federal workers and citizens in need of government services, and with no clear signs of resolution in sight, we have some options for making your voice heard. Please consider taking action with one or more of the options below:

myfusa bargaining

Welcome Back! New year, new contract

Where did it go? The promise of summer has let us all down again, as it does every year. At the start of Spring term we see it there in the distance shimmering like a mirage. At commencement Summer is laid out before us like a long, open road. And then, suddenly, we are right back at Fall Inservice wondering, “How the heck did that happen?”

Summer is over meme

To help cushion the blow, FUSA has some great news. After starting bargaining in Fall 2024–before the storms–we finally came to an agreement on a new three-year contract for 2025-2028. You can review the bargaining summary before we vote on ratifying the contract Thursday 8/14 at Fall Inservice. We look forward to seeing you at the FUSA table!

Here are some highlights in the new contract:

  • a 3% increase to the salary schedule
  • an additional step increase for all eligible faculty
  • an increase in overload pay from $76 to $78 per load point
  • a new stipend for discipline chairs, an increase to the stipend for Tier 2 department chairs, and a new Tier 2 Program Manager position
  • full-time temporary faculty (FTT) will now be placed on the salary schedule based on prior experience and are eligible for annual pay increases.  In addition, the length of a FTT assignment can be up to 3 years, and all 3 years may be used towards tenure.
  • the return of terminal pay for unused sick days

myfusa bargaining

Endless Summer (not endless bargaining!)

In honor of the recent passing of Brian Wilson we hope you are having a great summer whether restful, adventurous, or otherwise. And while we hate to burst your summer bubble we do have some important FUSA news.

We’d hoped to have bargaining wrapped up in early May, however administration could not agree to economics proposals due to the Florida Legislature’s inability to finalize the budget before the end of session. But, after an extension into June, there is now a new budget approved and signed by the governor.

Next bargaining session

Though we can’t bargain an endless summer, we can bargain better wages and working conditions. If you are in town, we urge you to attend bargaining Tuesday, July 15, 9 am – 4 pm in YLRC 305 (Ybor Campus). Even if you can only stay for a portion of the negotiations a steady stream of faculty in attendance speaks volumes about our solidarity. Please see the bargaining update recently sent to email by FUSA President Sherry Sippel for the status of all proposals thus far.

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May Day, Graduation, Bargaining, and more

As many of you you know May 1 is International Workers’ Day (or Labor Day) for most of the world. The U.S., too, has a history of celebrating it prior to officially recognizing Labor Day on the first Monday of September. There are national events planned for Thurs May 1 and locally on Saturday May 3.

Graduation

As always, FUSA is hosting the Faculty Graduation Breakfast at the Florida State Fairgrounds on Friday, May 2, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. For more information, view the invitation.

Bargaining

The fourth and currently last planned bargaining session is slated for May 9 at the Ybor City Campus, YLRC 305, from 9am – 1pm. All faculty are invited to attend FUSA bargaining sessions with Administration. In fact, we encourage it! Even if you can’t stay for the full session a steady stream of faculty in attendance speaks volumes about our solidarity.

The FUSA Informant and more

If you haven’t read the latest issue of the FUSA Informant, fear not. We have it linked online so you can read about your union and the various happenings this spring.

And…some news from NEA

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FUSA makes a statement

While there was little suspense, FUSA easily bounded the hurdle of union recertification with a clear signal that legislative union busting attempts will not win the day! Voting closed April 1, 2025, and the ballots were tallied and reported by PERC, the Public Employees Relation Commission.

As FUSA President Sherry Sippel noted, “A resounding 99.2% of voting faculty were in favor of continuing to be represented by FUSA as their collective bargaining agent! In addition, almost 70% of the faculty voted!  That sends a strong message to the legislature that their next union-busting tactic of requiring more than half the bargaining unit to vote will surely fail here at HCC.”   

View the official Tally of Ballots | Screenshot of the ballot count

UFF President Teresa Hodge added, “Please join me in congratulating the Faculty United Service Association of Hillsborough Community College on their PERC election win today…Our bargaining unit members are continuing to make it clear that they want to keep their collective bargaining rights and their union by voting ‘YES for UFF!’  UFF now has nine (9) chapters that have won their PERC elections.  So, let’s celebrate each PERC win as we continue to thrive against all the odds!”

On behalf of the FUSA Council, our sincere thanks to everyone for casting their vote! United we are stronger!!

Bargaining – round 3

Our third of four scheduled bargaining sessions will take place April 4 at 9am – 1pm in YLRC 305 (Ybor Campus). As agreed to by both Admin and FUSA, this is the last session at which article proposals can be presented. Here is a Bargaining Summary of the proposals presented thus far and their status after the first two sessions.

All faculty are encouraged to attend bargaining sessions and stay involved! When we pack the room with faculty it really makes a statement–much like our PERC victory–that your contract is important and so is your union.

Legislative updates and action

Advocacy in Tallahassee by faculty and educators, with the help of UFF, FEA, and Working Families Lobby Corps, is making an impact. So is FEA’s weekly power hour Zoom meetings and legislative actions which have resulted in thousands of emails and phone calls each week to legislators on proposed legislation.

For instance, the perennial “guns on campus” zombie bill is dead once again! And this year’s union busting bills are having a hard go of it, seeming to be stalled in both chambers. Meanwhile, the Higher Ed “Presidential searches in the sunshine” bill is getting closer to becoming reality and would fix a terribly politicizing change made to a once open process.

Keep up the pressure with these actions (select “United Faculty of Florida” as your local union):

More ways to get involved:

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Time to fight back

Educators in Florida are facing a two-prong attack. Closer to home, the Florida legislature is again coming at us with union busting bills, while nationally we have the current administration’s unconstitutional efforts to dismantle the Department of Education to contend with. But don’t lose hope. Fight back! Let them know we stand united in defense of education, students, and the right to a collective voice to negotiate better wages, benefits, and working conditions.

On the Florida front

It is time to tell your legislators once and for all to leave educators, students and unions alone. Year after year bills are filed and often pass that defy your constituents and the intent of the Florida constitution which has enshrined the right to collectively bargain. Year after year teachers have shown that we will fight for our voice as workers that teach for the public good.

On the national front

It’s time to tell Congress to do their constitutional duty as a coequal branch of government and to protect the federal agencies they created from the callous, chaotic, incompetent cuts like those aimed at dismantling the Department of Education. Read UFF’s Press Release Condemning Executive Order Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, then take action:

More allies and ways to get involved