Collective Bargaining
UFF negotiates the Collective Bargaining Agreement that protects faculty rights, salaries, and working conditions at FIU.
Current Agreement
The 2024–2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement, including the 2026 reopeners ratified in September 2026, governs the terms of employment for FIU faculty in the bargaining unit.
CBA 2024–2027 (with 2026 Reopeners)
The latest version includes the 2026 reopeners: a $6,500 one-time bonus for all in-unit faculty, $700 per course for summer syllabus preparation, a new award of up to $5,000 to support faculty research, new disciplinary file and employee records protections, and greater flexibility for Paid Parental Leave start dates.
Know Your Rights
Explore the key protections guaranteed by your Collective Bargaining Agreement — organized by category.
Annual Salary Increases
The CBA guarantees negotiated salary increases including retention raises, merit bonuses, and across-the-board adjustments each fiscal year.
Article 11 — Salaries →Merit-Based Bonuses
Faculty rated "Satisfactory" or above on their annual evaluation are eligible for merit bonuses — $1,000 to $2,000 depending on rating. Note: these one-time bonuses applied to the 2024–25 contract year only.
Article 11, §V — Merit →Salary Floors & Minimums
The CBA sets minimum salary levels by rank, ensuring new hires and promotions receive competitive compensation.
Article 11, §XIV — Minimums →Fair Evaluation Standards
Your annual evaluation must use published criteria, include your right to respond, and follow a structured timeline. Arbitrary ratings can be grieved.
Policy 3 — Evaluation →Tenure & Promotion Protections
The CBA defines a clear tenure and promotion timeline, required notification, and appeal procedures if denied.
Article 9 — Tenure →Post-Tenure Review
Post-tenure review procedures are negotiated, not unilaterally imposed. Faculty have the right to a development plan and support before adverse action.
Policy 5 — Post-Tenure Review →Workload Limits
Faculty have a defined maximum course load. Additional duties must be reflected in your annual assignment with appropriate consideration.
Policy 2 — Assignment →Written Annual Assignment
You must receive a written annual assignment specifying teaching, research, and service responsibilities. You have the right to discuss and dispute it.
Policy 2 — Written Assignment →Sabbatical Leave
Tenured faculty are eligible for sabbatical leave to pursue research, writing, or professional development — with continued salary support.
Policy 17 — Sabbaticals →Family & Medical Leave
Faculty are entitled to paid and unpaid family/medical leave, including parental leave, with job protection and return-to-position guarantees.
Policy 12 — Leaves →Tenure Clock Extensions
Faculty can request tenure clock extensions for qualifying life events (birth, illness, etc.) without prejudice to their tenure application.
Article 9, §IX — Clock Extension →Due Process & Just Cause
You cannot be disciplined or dismissed without written notice, specific charges, and the opportunity to respond. "Just cause" is required for adverse action.
Policy 11 — Discipline →Binding Arbitration
If a grievance cannot be resolved internally, a neutral arbitrator makes a binding decision. The union covers the cost — saving members $20,000+ in legal fees.
Article 10 — Grievance →Weingarten Rights
You have the legal right to have a union representative present in any meeting that could lead to discipline. You can invoke this at any time.
Article 10, §VI — Representation →$1M Liability Insurance
Every union member receives a $1 million professional liability insurance policy, covering legal defense and damages from job-related lawsuits.
UFF Member Benefit →Intellectual Property
The CBA protects your ownership of scholarly works, course materials you create, and inventions developed using your own resources.
Policy 13 — Works & Intellectual Property →Academic Freedom
Faculty have the right to freedom in research, publication, and classroom instruction without institutional censorship or retaliation.
Article 5 — Academic Freedom →Bargaining History
A record of every collective bargaining agreement negotiated on behalf of FIU faculty.