I am happy to announce that we have a signed MOU for the Spring 2021 semester. You can view the MOU on the UFF-FIU website.
One major change from the previous MOUs is a change in language from a “self-identified COVID-19 related health concern” to a “self-identified COVID-19 health vulnerability.” This was changed to be consistent with language used in the BOT-approved campus repopulation plan. We are confident that faculty will maintain the same level of protection that we all shared under the previous language.
Faculty requesting continued remote work for Spring 2021 are asked to attest to “a self-identified health vulnerability” in their My.FIU account. The request, which will automatically be approved, will go directly to HR, and your supervisor will receive an email (with the faculty member cc’d) notifying them of the remote work assignment for the semester. This process, along with screenshots, is linked within the MOU and is described on our website. The tile and process for attestation in My.FIU will go live shortly.
All in-unit faculty requesting a remote assignment for Spring 2021 must attest to a self-identified vulnerability through My.FIU by December 7th, 2020.
We are going to schedule an online ratification vote for the Spring MOU in the near future and will be sending information regarding the Q&A sessions and voting dates in the coming weeks. Faculty will be encouraged to attend one of the Q&A sessions to address any concerns they have or to receive any clarification they need on the content of the MOU.
I want to thank both the UFF-FIU and FIU-BOT bargaining teams for their work and commitment to interest-based bargaining. I believe we are setting the national example of a union’s response to COVID-19, and we are proud of what we have accomplished in this regard. Please contact me should you have any questions regarding the MOU.