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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. The Campaign
Showing of Interest Cards

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

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

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

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

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

14. 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

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

16. Contact Information
Susannah Miller
Ed Mitchell
Thank you!