UFF
and the FBOE (the Florida Board of Education -- the successor organization to
the Board of Regents) declared impasse in negotiations on December 17.
The
impasse was reached after the Board presented a salary proposal with the
following features and indicated that it was not able to agree to any
significant changes:
·
There
would be no raises agreed to for next year (not even promotion
raises), only one-time “performance-based bonuses” awarded as one-time
payments which would not go into the base salary for future raises.
·
The
bonuses would be given only if the legislature specifically appropriates
money for that purpose.
·
The
bonuses would not be awarded until June, 2003.
·
There
would be no specific amount of money specified for the bonuses. There was no specification of how many
employees would receive the bonuses.
·
The
bonuses would be awarded “pursuant to plans developed by each university” which
would be “submitted to the Executive Office of the Governor for approval”
·
At their discretion, the Board could (but does not have to) award additional raises and
bonuses for promotion, market equity, counteroffers, increased duties, special
achievements, litigation/settlements and “similar special situations”. No amount was specified. No procedures were specified.
·
Bonuses
and raises (if any) would be grievable only in case of prohibited
discrimination or “arbitrary and capricious” application of the Salary article
of the Agreement.
UFF could not agree to this proposal. The UFF proposal differs significantly from the Board proposal.
·
The
following raises would be given as long as the University has the money,
regardless of whether it is specifically appropriated for that purpose by the legislature.
·
Cost of Living increases, based on the 2000-2001 increase in the Consumer
Price Index, for all employees evaluated as satisfactory or above.
·
1.6%
for Departmental merit increases, to be given according to the
procedures and criteria adopted by each department.
· Promotion increases funded
at the current 9% rate
·
A
limited amount of money which could be used by the Board for market equity, counteroffers, increased
duties, special achievements, and
litigation/settlements, with further negotiations to be held if more money
becomes available.
·
All
increases to be effective at the beginning of the Fall contract period.
The Board representatives stated that “The FBOE is the Governor’s agency and we are presenting a proposal based on the Governor’s budget proposal.” They would not agree to any of the significant elements of the UFF proposal.
On a
non-salary issue which is also now at impasse, the Board did not accept the UFF
proposal to add sexual orientation to the list of prohibited
discriminations. UFF then proposed a
small strengthening of the language on non-discrimination, language which the
Board already has in the Agreement with Graduate Assistants. The Board representatives would not agree
to provide the same protection against discrimination for faculty that they
already provide to Graduate Assistants.
UFF has requested the appointment of a Special Master, the Board does not want such a hearing. The next step is thus a hearing before the Special Master, who will make a recommendation. This will be followed by a hearing before the Legislature.
Toby
Berk, Statewide Chief Negotiator
12/17/2001