Pasco-Hernando State College
Faculty Votes to Unionize
The faculty of Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) has spoken and by a vote of 64-62 becomes the newest United Faculty of Florida (UFF) chapter. The vote count followed a three-week period of balloting by mail and was certified today by the Florida Public Employees Relations Committee.
"We are thrilled that our faculty have voted to have a voice in the decision-making at our college. We can now participate more effectively in shaping the policies that affect our work of facilitating student success. Our union victory is a huge step forward for PHSC. I anticipate many positive changes now that our faculty can collectively bargain," stated Caitlin Gille, Associate Professor of Natural Science at Pasco-Hernando State College.
�I want to congratulate the PHSC faculty as it becomes the twenty-ninth UFF chapter and the twelfth college to become part of the United Faculty of Florida,� said Dr. Karen Morian, President of the United Faculty of Florida. �This vote clearly demonstrates that these dedicated faculty members understand that their collective voice is vital to improve their institution and their ability to effectively serve their students and the people of both this community and the state of Florida. I and all the members of UFF welcome these faculty members as the United Faculty of Florida-Pasco-Hernando State College (UFF-PHSC). We are excited to add their energy, knowledge and professionalism to our cause of improving higher education across Florida."
Pasco-Hernando State College faculty joins faculties at Tallahassee Community College and State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota as the third new UFF college chapter in the past two years. Florida Polytechnic University also voted for union representation in that time. UFF is the higher education affiliate of the Florida Education Association (FEA) and represents more than 14,000 full-time faculty, including those at all 12 public universities in Florida, at 11 state colleges and community colleges, and at the private Saint Leo University. UFF also represents more than 8,000 graduate assistants at four public universities in Florida.
�This effort also stands as an example to other colleges that are beset with Boards of Trustees whose awareness of educational imperatives is little or none, and beholden to political and business interests that appoint them. We look forward to working with the board in negotiating the future for SCF and its teachers, students, and stakeholders,� said Del Jacobs, director of Film and Media Studies.
UFF represents more than 20,000 faculty members at 11 state universities, St. Leo University, ten colleges, and at four graduate assistant chapters. -April 19, 2018