Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Relations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
UFF tells trustees dispute over classification of student success counselors remains unresolved
Summary
The United Faculty of Florida told the Board the classification and bargaining rights of academic advisors and student success counselors remain contested after multiple PERC rulings and appeals; the union said it will continue enforcement actions.
The United Faculty of Florida (UFF) FGCU chapter told trustees April 8 that the classification and bargaining rights of academic advisors and student success counselors remain unresolved after a multi‑year dispute that included rulings by the Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC) and court enforcement actions.
Dr. Carolynne Gischel, president of the UFF FGCU chapter, summarized the union’s account: an effort to remove academic advisors from the bargaining unit began seven years ago; PERC ruled in the union’s favor and subsequent FGCU appeals were unsuccessful, the union said. According to Dr. Gischel, FGCU then created a student success counselor classification as an administrative and professional (A&P) position rather than a faculty position. The union contends the classification effectively denies those employees rights under the collective bargaining agreement.
"We believed it was our ethical, moral and legal obligation to defend the rights of all employees in the bargaining unit," Dr. Gischel said. She said the matter has been the subject of bargaining for three years without resolution.
The Board did not take action on the matter during the meeting. Associate General Counsel David Greenbaum earlier announced the Board had met in executive session to discuss collective bargaining, citing Florida Statute 447.605(1), and reconvened in open session.
The union report served as the standing UFF report required under the CBA provision allowing UFF to speak on agenda items affecting wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment for bargaining‑unit members.
