Collective Bargaining
UFF negotiates the Collective Bargaining Agreement that protects faculty rights, salaries, and working conditions at FIU.
Proposed Changes to the CBA: 2026–2027
A historic tentative agreement securing new compensation, research awards, disciplinary protections, and leave rights for FIU faculty.
The United Faculty of Florida (UFF-FIU) and the administration are pleased to announce a tentative agreement on a number of contract changes to the 2024–2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement. This tentative agreement recognizes new rights for FIU faculty and secures new support for their meritorious work.
While salary negotiations are the most visible part of the bargaining process, your Bargaining Team has been hard at work all year securing new rights, new benefits, and new support for your research and creative activities. Alongside a $6,500 one-time bonus for all in-unit faculty, this tentative agreement secures faculty compensation of $700 per course for summer syllabus preparation outside of their normal 9-month appointment, a new award of up to $5,000 to support faculty research by covering the costs associated with publications and creative works, new disciplinary file and employee records protections, greater flexibility for Paid Parental Leave start dates, and more.
Ratification Information Meetings
All in-unit faculty are welcome to attend any one of the ratification meetings ahead of the ratification vote on September 14th and 15th to ask questions about the salary agreement, the bargaining process, or contract language:
Thursday, September 3rd
Online via Zoom meeting.
Tuesday, September 8th
Location: MMC in SIPA2 301
Wednesday, September 9th
Location: MMC in SIPA2 301
Wednesday, September 9th
Online via Zoom meeting.
Thursday, September 10th
Online via Zoom meeting.
Thursday, September 10th
Location: MMC in SIPA2 301
Review Proposed Contract Changes Directly
We invite faculty to review the proposed changes to the contract directly. The CLEAN files contain the adopted language for each change in the proposed CBA, while the REDLINE files show the exact additions and deletions between the old and new language.
Article 11 — Salaries
Policy 2 — Assignment of Responsibilities
Policy 3 — Employee Performance Evaluation
Policy 5 — Disciplinary File
Policy 6 — Access to Employee Records
Policy 10 — Leaves
Policy 15 — Professional Development & Sabbaticals
Current Agreement
This operative agreement remains in effect and governs all FIU faculty terms of employment while the 2026–2027 proposed changes undergo ratification.
CBA 2024–2027 (with 2024–25 Reopeners)
The latest version includes a 1.5% retention increase (minimum $1,500) and merit bonuses based on evaluations — $1,000 (Satisfactory/Good), $1,500 (Very Good), $2,000 (Outstanding), plus a re-commitment to 2026–2027 raises.
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 15 — 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 10 — 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 9 — 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 11 — 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.