Know Your Rights
What is a union? What do unions do?
A union is a group of workers who come together to use our combined power to negotiate better working conditions. By working together, unionized employees gain a voice their bosses can’t easily ignore. Common issues a union might address with management are: wages, benefits, working conditions/safety, and job security.
Why do we need a union?
Everyone deserves a say in their working conditions. The University has repeatedly made big decisions about campus safety, benefits, and wages without our input. Don’t you think it’s time the administration listened to us?
Am I eligible to join?
If you work at the UF/Florida A&M and you are not already in a union, you are eligible.
Why should I join the union?
The bigger our union is, the more influence we have. Even if you have a great job and a great supervisor, the administration won’t always make decisions with our interests in mind, and we’re here to change that and advocate for each other.
How much are dues?
Union dues are collected monthly on a pay-what-you-can sliding scale.
- Part-time workers: $8/month
- Less than $30,000: $15 / month
- $30,000 - $50,000: $20 / month
- $50,000 - $60,000: $25 / month
- $60,000 - $100,000: $30 / month
- $100,000 and up: $50 / month
Where do my dues go?
Dues are shared resources to help the union grow and thrive. Everything from printing flyers and holding events to paying organizers comes from your dues.
Is union membership publicly listed?
No. At times we will call on union members to stand together in public, but disclosure of your membership is up to you.
Do I have a right to join a union? Will I be forced to join?
Yes, you have a right to join (and we hope you will!) And, no, you will never be forced to join. Florida is a Right-To-Work state, which means that union membership can’t be a mandatory part of employment.
In Florida you have a constitutional right to collective bargaining, and your employer cannot discriminate against you or fire you based on your membership. If you think you’re experiencing retaliation, get in touch with us.
What does Right-to-Work mean?
Right-to-Work (RTW) simply means that no worker can be required to join a union to hold their job. No one is requiring you to join a union - we’re inviting you! Together, acting as a union, we can win major changes at UF/ FAMU. Imagine what we could accomplish if all our co-workers joined together and took action.
Is it legal for me to join a union? Can I get in trouble?
You have Constitutional Freedom of Speech & Association protections, which gives you the right to join a labor union and organize collectively to seek improvement of the terms and conditions of your employment. Public employees in the State of Florida also have the constitutional right to collectively bargain. It is estimated that there are well over 600,000 public employees already in unions throughout the State of Florida.
What are dues and what are they for?
We all pay dues so that we can have organizers, lawyers, researchers, and everything else we need to win change. Dues are on a sliding scale starting at $15 per month for full-time employees. The dues go to a bank account that we, the workers and members of UCW FL, control. UF/FAMU has an enormous amount of resources. We need our own resources to be able to win change and sustain an organization.