News for FIU, Florida and Unions across the nation.
Health Insurance HB 7007 – University Employees Health Insurance – Filed by Health and Human Services Committee. Passed all committees, ready for floor vote. Provides for a tiered system of benefits HB 7007 is on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives tomorrow afternoon, March 22nd, for consideration. The normal process is adding amendments, if any, on second reading and final vote on the next day of session. In this case, that would probably be… Continue reading
Union Busting Bill Today we saw the release of the first anti-union legislation to be filed for the 2017 legislative session (HB 11 Information) . This union busting bill comes as no surprise as we have seen efforts like this in Florida before – and numerous nationwide attempts to weaken unions. This is politically and ideologically motivated. If a senate companion is filed and the bills are passed by both chambers, HB 11 by… Continue reading
UFF-FIU Contract Ratification Vote Tuesday, March 21 and Wednesday, March 22 Venues at MMC, BBC, and the Engineering Center Modesto Maidique Campus Green Library, First Floor, By The Escalators Biscayne Bay Campus Glenn Hubert Library, First Floor Lobby, in Front of the Circulation Desk Engineering Campus College of Engineering Lobby The members of the bargaining unit, meaning all faculty for which the collective bargaining agreement covers, are invited to vote thumbs up or thumbs… Continue reading
Student Food Pantry drive Bring food to the Chapter Meeting At the upcoming chapter meeting, we are holding a food drive. If you have a moment, please join us in bringing any of the following items, which the Student Food Pantry reports are running low, to the chapter meeting: Grains: Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta rice and rice mixes canned pastas noodle mixes dry noodles and pastas macaroni and cheese mix cold cereals bran… Continue reading
Legislative Update Pre-Session #2 February 24, 2017 Who Says Public Employee Unions Do Not Have Power? Representative Scott Plakon (R-Seminole) obviously thinks UFF and other public employee unions are not good for Florida as he has filed HB 11 which establishes a decertification process for those public sector unions having less than 50% membership. This union busting tactic is not new for Plakon as he filed a similar bill in 2011. That bill never… Continue reading
Pre-Ratifaction Information Pre-Ratification Meeting In preparation for ratification of the proposed 2016-2017 ammendment to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the UFF-FIU invites bargaining unit members to an information meeting at the Spring Chapter Meeting: Tuesday, March 7, 2017 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Wertheim Conservatory, WC 130 (MMC) Marine Science Reading Room, MSB 105 (BBC via Polycom teleconferencing) Continue reading
Legislative Update February 10, 2017 Higher Education was at center stage this week in Senate interim committee meetings. The Legislature officially convenes the 2017 Legislative Session on Tuesday, March 7th. On Monday, February 6, the Senate Education Committee passed SB 374 which has been dubbed the “College Competitiveness Act” by Senate leaders. According to Senate President Joe Negron’s press release, “Senate Bill 374 reinstates a statewide coordinating board for the Florida Community College System,… Continue reading
Supreme Court petition There’s a possibility that Joe Biden could call a vote on Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court before swearing in new senators on January 3rd, and while the sitting senators will be 34 Democrats, 30 Republicans and 2 Independents. Read the details and sign the petition. Continue reading
Move-on Rally December 20, “Don’t Take Away Our Health Care” National Day of Action at Marco Rubio’s office in Doral. Move-on Rally December 20, “Don’t Take Away Our Health Care National Day of Action at Marco Rubio’s office in Doral. Continue reading
Filing of Guns on Campus Bill Senator Greg Steube of Sarasota filed the Guns on Campus legislation last year. He now replaces Miguel de la Portilla as Judiciary Committee Chair. DLP has kept the bill from going to the Senate floor for the last two years. However, the Committee make-up is in favor of halting the bill again, with four Democrats, and Miami-Dade Republicans Anitere Flores and Rene Garcia. Phone calls supporting no guns… Continue reading
