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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

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January FUSA meeting, member benefits, and more

The next FUSA Council meeting will occur Fri. Jan 24, 2025 at 9am in YLRC 305. All Faculty are welcome to attend.

Member benefits

Are you taking advantage of all of your union benefits? FUSA members are part of a larger labor movement for educators specifically and workers in general. In addition to the provisions and protections in our contract, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA), there are many other benefits members can choose to tap into. Learn more about the benefits of membership.

Legislative session

The 2025 Legislative session will begin in March. Your elected UFF Senators and the FUSA Council will keep abreast of the potential impacts to higher ed. Take a look at how you can get involved in and contact us:

  • Join the FUSA Government Relations committee
  • Become a member of the Higher Ed Regional Outreach (HERO) team for West Central Florida.
  • Here are the FEA Legislative Priorities for the upcoming session (March 4 – May 2).
  • Not interested in the legislative session or government relations? Ask us about other ways to get involved.
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Updates on Disaster Relief and Bargaining

As our area has been impacted by another hurricane, please see the updated list below for potential disaster relief:

 If you have any questions feel free contact us. To learn more about the benefits of being a FUSA member, visit our Member Benefits page.

Bargaining update

Due to the recent storm closure for Hurricane Milton, FUSA and the Administration have rescheduled bargaining for Nov. 22 at the Ybor campus (YLRC 305) from 12noon – 2pm. Stay tuned for the official notice from the college and an update from the FUSA President.

Bargaining on the 2025-2028 contract will continue throughout Fall and extend into Spring term. Further dates will be shared as they are scheduled. Faculty attendance at bargaining sessions is greatly encouraged!

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A sobering report on higher ed in Florida

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP), a long-time defender of higher education principles, faculty, academic freedom, and shared governance has released the full report of its investigation into the state of higher education in Florida and it is not pretty. A preliminary look at the findings had been released over the summer but the full report is a damning indictment of Governor DeSantis and the Legislature’s “politically and ideologically driven assault” on higher education, faculty, and institutions like New College, “unparalleled in US History.”

Indeed, the report notes that meaningful higher education in Florida may not survive. It also notes how college and university administrators have been silent while their own institutions, faculty, and students have been under siege. Sadly, at times they’ve even been complicit in the implementation of “policies that would severely restrict academic freedom and faculty and student rights.”

It is clear that no one is coming to our rescue. The only bulwark against these attacks is the collective strength of faculty unions. If you aren’t a member, join today to add to the collective voice pushing back against the political forces that wish to dismantle higher education, academic freedom, and intellectual freedom. As a member of FUSA you are also a member of state and national affiliates that are continually working to protect your rights and improve your economic and working conditions.

Read the Full Report

Political Interference and Academic Freedom in Florida’s Public Higher Education System – AAUP

Summary of findings

The preliminary report offered four main findings:

  1. The “hostile takeover” of New College is both a “test case” and a “blueprint for future encroachments on public colleges and universities across the country”;
  2. Academic administrators in Florida “not only have failed to contest” attacks on the system “but have too frequently been complicit in and, in some cases, explicitly supported them”;
  3. Legislation enacted by Governor DeSantis and the legislature, “taken collectively, constitutes a systematic effort to dictate and enforce conformity with a narrow and reactionary political and ideological agenda” and represents “a uniquely bold and dangerous program designed to reshape public higher education according to ideological and partisan political standards”; and
  4. “The chilling effect on academic freedom of the governor’s and legislature’s efforts has already been felt by faculty and students.”

Further Reading