Frequently Asked Questions

Why You Should Join the United Faculty of Florida:

• Because the UFF negotiates with the FIU administration the Collective Bargaining Agreement that determines our salaries and conditions and terms of employment
• Because more members means a stronger union and a better agreement
• Because the collective bargaining agreement has the status of law, and is therefore enforceable by the grievance and arbitration procedure
• Because without a grievance procedure, the only way to defend your rights would be for you to personally hire a lawyer and sue the university over issues like academic freedom, assignments, evaluations, leaves, tenure, discrimination, discipline, intellectual property rights, summer pay, and a host of others
• Because without the union, the administration will impose a top-down corporate management structure, which would treat us as expendable employees, rather than the shared-interest governance approach the union is trying to defend
• Because membership brings a $1 million liability insurance policy, in case you are sued in connection with your job
• Because you have a free consultation with an attorney on non-employment related issues, and reduced attorney charges if you need to retain one
• Because you can save hundreds of dollars a year on travel, entertainment, and auto and home insurance through discounts offered by our partner unions.

Anyone who is part of the UFF-FIU Bargaining Unit, the group governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) specified in Appendix A, can be a member of UFF-FIU! This includes around 1,400 faculty, though the exact number fluctuates each year. Our Bargaining Unit is made up of a wide array of faculty, including professors, teaching professors and instructors, lecturers, researchers, librarians, and some administrative employees (associate and assistant chairs).

While Chairpersons and other administrative positions (listed below) are excluded from the Bargaining Unit, and are therefore not covered by the CBA during their tenure, they still can join the UFF as a member-at-large! This also entitles them to the same external membership benefits as members and helps support the mission of the union. However, since Chairs are not covered by the CBA, they cannot file grievances.

Excluded from the CBA

Chairs, deans, associate deans, assistant deans, directors, and all administrators above them are excluded from the Bargaining Unit regardless of faculty status. Additionally, all employees of the School of Law, all employees of the College of Medicine, Chairman of the Faculty Senate serving on the board of trustees, managerial and confidential employees, and all other employees of The Board of Trustees of the Florida International University are excluded from the bargaining unit.

The UFF-FIU CBA also does not include FIU postdoctoral associates or adjunct faculty. We encourage anyone not part of the bargaining unit, but interested in being part of United Faculty of Florida, to inquire about At-Large membership. Certain FIU staff may be included in the AFSCME bargaining unit and should contact their union representatives about membership.

Retired Members

Leaving FIU doesn't have to mean the end of your UFF membership! Many faculty members decide to join UFF as retired members in order to stay connected to the union that has worked so hard for their benefit. Retired membership involves a one-time fee, and members can participate in the UFF Senate and continue to play a role in shaping UFF's actions. Please contact the UFF-Retired Chapter President for more information on how to join.

Furthermore, Retired Members can be appointed to our local's Chapter Council to help influence the policy of the Chapter. Please see the Chapter Bylaws for more information on the responsibilities of the Chapter Council.

Membership Cancellation

UFF-FIU members will remain members until they (1) revoke their membership or (2) are not part of the bargaining unit for two consecutive semesters (i.e. Fall-Spring, Spring-Summer, or Summer-Fall).

To cancel your membership to UFF-FIU, fill out this form and send it to the email addresses on the form:
Resignation Form

Note that according to state statute (§ 447.303), deductions are revocable at the employee’s request upon 30 days’ written notice to the employer and employee organization.

By contributing just 1% of your regular salary to your membership, you're making an important contribution to the health of not just our local union but also our partner unions across the state and country.

Dues Breakdown

A portion (currently 8%) of UFF-FIU's dues are returned to our Chapter and used for daily operations. This includes technological infrastructure (e.g. our website), membership recruitment and advertising, research for bargaining and grievance activities, advertising, food and beverages for chapter meetings & social events, and UFF-FIU "swag" for our new members.

Affiliate Dues

A larger portion of our dues are collected by UFF to fund the statewide local and to pay for our membership in affiliate unions. Membership to these broader unions brings additional member benefits, fund political action campaigns at the state and national level, and provides members access to leadership training, union conferences, and collective action activities. Our chapter can also apply for additional funds from UFF to subsidize our recruitment and training efforts here at FIU.

Fiscal Responsibility to Members

The Treasurer and Executive Committee collaborate on a budget that they present to the Chapter Council for consent and approval. Throughout the year, the Treasurer makes regular financial reports at monthly EC meetings, at the Chapter meetings held every semester, and additional information is available upon request.

Why I Belong To An Academic Union

I am a reluctant academic unionist who has "retired" from active union work, and have happily returned to the status of "dues-paying member." In addition to having given some of my time to UFF [The United Faculty of Florida], I have paid dues for more than 24 years; and since I consider every penny I earn to be sacred, I must have some reasons (my wife certainly hopes, and expects, that they be good ones) for being a member of an academic union... (Read the rest of the article).