Graduate Assistant Unionization Presented by Susannah Miller, Director, Faculty Relations, Florida State University Ed Mitchell, Executive Director, United Faculty of Florida/FEA/AFT/NEA

The Impetus for Unionization First Contact Issues of Concern Transparency in Offer Letters Number of Students Required to Teach “The Unknown” from semester to semester No telephones Low Stipends Health Insurance Coverage Low Morale Lack of Communication

Management’s Response First Indications Congress of Graduate Students Launched communication campaign with institutional leaders Communicated applicable laws and provisions to leadership groups Chapter 447, Florida Statutes Cimmunicate Labor Relations Philosophy “To promote an environment where our employees do not believe it is necessary to have a union represent them over wages, hours and terms and conditions of their employment. If employees elect to have a union represent them, to bargain in good faith with the union and to promote an environment of harmonious labor management relations while at the same time recognizing that the University must operate efficiently and productively. To further the University’s mission of providing higher education to the people of Florida.” Guidelines from the Florida Public Employee Relations Commission

Do’s and Don’ts for Supervisors Inform employees they are free to join or not join the union Allow solicitation, but it must occur outside of working hours Distribution of literature in non-working areas only Follow all rules as usual

Do’s and Don’ts for Supervisors Make any promises of special treatment if employees stay out of the union or vote against it Discriminate against employees based on union activities Ask employees how they feel about having a union, how they intend to vote, etc.

The Campaign Showing of Interest Cards

The Campaign Information Request from the Union: First Name Last Name Position Title FTE College Department Office Location Mailing Address Building Room Number Email Address Office Phone # Home Address Home Phone # Stipend amount and/or bi-weekly pay amount

The Campaign FERPA Student Privacy Laws Subpoena from the Public Employee Relations Commission

The Election April 30th and May 1st of 2009 Getting Out the Vote! Communication Strategies

The Results Approximately 3000 eligible to vote 588 voted 448 FOR 140 AGAINST

Bargaining Recreating the Wheel Negotiations officially began on September 27, 2009

Proposed Table of Articles Recognition Appointments, Reappointments, and Terminations Employment Performance Evaluations Employee Evaluation File Academic Freedom Workload Outside Activity/Conflict of Interest Unlawful Discrimination Copyright and Patents Leaves of Absence Grievance Procedure and Arbitration Matriculation and Tuition Programs Reserved Rights Use of Facilities Union Deduction Miscellaneous Provisions Other Employee Rights Totality of Agreement Severability Amendment and Duration Definitions Stipends Consultation

Current Status of Bargaining 12 Articles Left Challenges Stipends Health Insurance Employment Security Non-discrimination Release Time

Contact Information Susannah Miller scmiller@fsu.edu Ed Mitchell ed.mitchell@floridaea.org Thank you!