"Why
should I join FCCFF?" The question is one that
the Federation leadership hears quite often. Or more
often, "Why should I join when I get the same
benefits as a faculty member whether I am an Federation
member or not?"
Perhaps
the most important reason to join is that the Faculty
Federation, by law, is designated to negotiate the
Collective Bargaining Agreement by which your position
on wages, hours, and working conditions at the college
is regulated. The best way that you can have a vital
role in the bargaining process then is to be an active
member in the Federation. Furthermore, the more active
members of the faculty in the Federation, the stronger
the position the Federation will have in the bargaining
process. There is strength in numbers. Your membership
is important.
The
other question presented to us is, "What can
the Federation or union membership do for me?"
In response, membership in the FCCFF, which means
membership in the United Faculty of Florida, provides
representation to the policy makers in state government.
The elected senate members of the Federation annually
prepare and approve the legislative agenda that the
union will vigorously pursue during the legislative
session. If you want a voice in the agenda, join the
Federation. In addition to addressing the political
issues at the UFF level, the senators of the Federation
have a unique opportunity to network and share information
concerning the structure of the chapter organizations
and bargaining issues with other state community colleges.
Membership
in FCCFF and UFF provides two basic services to guarantee
legal representation in employee-related and private
matters. The employment liability insturance protects
members from personal liability as a result of service
on a peer review committee, in case of accidents or
other event occurring in the course of employment.
It provides an attorney at no cost to the member and
liability protection up to $1 million for each occurrence.
On
legal matters that are not related to employment,
the attorney referral program entitles members to
two free 30-minute consultation session on personal
matters such as real estate, wills, and domestic relations.
So,
why should you join? Your membership supports the
protection of your faculty rights, advances academic
excellence, provides additional economic benefits,
and gives you the opportunity to join in the decision-making
process. Ask yourself,
can you afford not to join?
