2015-2016 UFF-USF-GAU Reopener

Proposed changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement appear in bold after the text from the current (2014-2017) document. Summary of proposed changes appear below each article title in italics. Three separate articles (2, 12, 23) are addressed below:

———-

Article 2

Appointments, Reappointments, and Terminations

Summary

Section 2.1 Sub-sections H and P have been clarified to affirm that employees are eligible for tuition payment and health insurance subsidies.

Section 2.4 In sub-sections A and B, the term “if practicable” has been removed from the text. Sub-section D has been added to address Summer appointments. Section E has been added to include a stipulation that Departments notify employees if letters of appointments are not received by the deadlines detailed in sub-sections A, B, and C.

Section 2.5 Sub-section B now includes additional reasons for changes in appointment. In sub-section C, timeframes are reduced from twenty (20) days to fourteen (14) days and a deadline for Summer nonreappointments has been added.

Proposed Changes to Text of CBA

2.1 Letter of Appointment.

(H) A statement that the employee’s appointment makes an employee eligible to apply for but does not guarantee a tuition payment. The parties acknowledge that employees need this information as stipulated by Article 12.5. Thus, employees will be notified in a timely manner whether they will receive tuition payment under the University tuition payment program. If a payment is not granted,

(P) A statement that the employee/s are eligible for a health insurance subsidy, as defined in Article 23.2, and that the employees must self-enroll for the health insurance policy, and instructions on how, when, and where to self-enroll.

2.4 Notice. Timely processing of appointment letters is fundamental to the efficient operation of the University and subject to special consultation pursuant to Article 24.2.

A. Fall Appointments. Employees serving in at least one (1) semester appointment during an academic year shall be provided with a letter of intent regarding continuation or non-continuation of employment for the subsequent Fall semester by April 30, if practicable. A final letter of appointment, if necessary, shall be provided to the employee by June 30, if practicable.

B. Spring Appointments. Employees who will be offered an appointment to commence at the start of the Spring semester shall be provided with a letter of intent by August 30, if practicable. A final letter of appointment for mid-year appointees, if necessary, shall be provided to the employee by October 30, if practicable.

D. Summer Appointments. Employees who will be offered an appointment to commence at the start of the Summer semester shall be provided with a letter of intent by January 30. A final letter of appointment for mid-year appointees, if necessary, shall be provided to the employee by March 30.

(only if they don’t excise “if practicable”

2.5 Changes in appointment

B. The University shall provide two weeks’ written notice in any change in appointment in the case of 2.5A (1), (2), (3) and (4).

D. The University shall provide written notice of non-reappointment. The notice shall include a statement which indicates that the action is grievable under the provisions of the USF/UFF-USF-GAU Collective Bargaining Agreement. An employee who receives a written notice of non-reappointment shall be entitled, upon written request within twenty (20) fourteen (14) days following receipt of such notice, to a written statement of the basis for the decision not to reappoint. The University shall provide such statement twenty (20) fourteen (14) days following receipt of such request. Deadline for notices of Fall and Spring nonreappointment shall be April 30 and August 30 as specified in 2.4 A and B respectively. Deadline for notices of Summer nonreappointment shall be March 30.

———-

Article 12

Matriculation and Tuition Payment Program

Summary

12.2 Proposed changes to section A amend the criteria for tuition payment to 100% reimbursement for the minimum number of credit hours necessary to maintain the graduate assistantship. The University shall provide notification to Graduate Assistants when funds are not available for tuition payment, detailing the reasons why payment could not be provided.

12.5 This section has been added to require timely notification of tuition waivers to Graduate Assistants, including dates by which notifications must be received (for Fall, Spring and Summer as described in sub-sections A, B, and C).

Proposed Changes to Text of CBA

12.2 Tuition Payment Program.

A. The University and the UFF-USF-GAU will continue to seek legislative funding to

meet the costs associated with the matriculation and tuition payment program. A

graduate assistant appointment shall result in eligibility for the tuition payment

program. Tuition payment shall be for at least the minimum number of credit hours necessary to maintain the graduate assistantship. Tuition payment shall be for 100 % of the tuition and fees cost associated with at least the minimum number of credit hours necessary to maintain the graduate assistantship. If sufficient funds are not available to provide all graduate assistants with such tuition payment, first consideration for receipt of these payments shall be given to graduate assistants who are employed for .25 FTE or more for at least one semester during the prior academic year and who are students in good standing. If sufficient funds are not available to provide all graduate assistants with such tuition payment, then the University shall notify the GA with a financial statement that details why their tuition payment could not be provided.

12.5 Notice for Tuition Waivers. Timely processing of notice of tuition waivers is fundamental to the efficient operation of the University and subject to special consultation pursuant to Article 24.2.

A. Fall Tuition Waivers. Employees serving in at least one (1) semester appointment

during the Fall academic term shall be provided with a notice of tuition waiver by June 15.

B. Spring Appointments. Employees who will be offered an appointment to

commence at the start of the Spring semester shall be provided with a notice of tuition waiver by November 30.

C. Summer Appointments. Employees who will be offered an appointment to

commence at the start of the Summer semester(s) shall be provided with a notice of tuition waiver by April 30.

———-

Article 23

Stipends

Summary

23.1 Sections A and B will combine as Section A to include masters students in receiving guaranteed minimum stipends equal to doctoral level students. Sections C and D will be amended as Section B include a 3.5% annual stipend increase.

23.4 Timeframe was changed from within one week of notification to within five days of missed paycheck. New sub-sections were added as Section A and Section B where Section A clarifies the term “timely manner” to agree with University deadlines and Section B gives a five day timeframe for administration to notify Graduate Assistants as to why missed paychecks were not received.

23.5 This section was added to address the issues of fees. Fees shall be reimbursed in full each semester to all Graduate Assistants. Sub-section 3.5A requires fees administered by the University to be clarified in writing to Graduate Assistants and distinguished from tuition.

Proposed Changes to Text of CBA

23.1 Minimum Stipend. The minimum stipend shall be as follows:

A. For students at the masters level, each nine-month employee (19.5 pay periods) on a .50 FTE appointment shall be guaranteed a minimum stipend of $9,880. Appointments greater or less than .50 FTE shall be paid at a stipend rate representing a proportion of this minimum as determined by the fractional FTE appointment and the budgeted weeks of activity.

A. For students at the masters and doctoral level, each nine-month employee (19.5 pay periods) on a .50 FTE appointment shall be guaranteed a minimum stipend of $12,000.

Appointments greater or less than .50 FTE shall be paid at a stipend rate

representing a proportion of this minimum as determined by the fractional FTE

appointment and the budgeted weeks of activity.

B. For students at the doctoral level, each nine-month employee (19.5 pay periods) on a .50 FTE appointment shall be guaranteed a minimum of $11,155. Appointments greater or less than .50 FTE but no less than .25 FTE shall be paid at a stipend rate representing a proportion of this minimum as determined by the fractional FTE appointment and the budgeted weeks of activity.

B. The University agrees to provide a 3.5% annual increase to each Graduate Assistant .

23.4 Initial Payment. Employees who have turned in paperwork in a timely manner shall receive their first paycheck not later than four (4) weeks after the first day of the term of their contract. In the case of administrative error by the University and the employee is not paid on time, the University shall make a reasonable effort to provide the paycheck to the employee within one (1) week of notification of the error.

23.4 Initial Payment. Employees who have turned in paperwork in a timely manner shall

receive their first paycheck not later than four (4) weeks after the first day of the term of their

contract. In the case of administrative error by the University and the employee is not paid

on time, the University shall provide the paycheck to the employee within one (1) week of notification of the error within five (5) business days of the first missed paycheck.

A. Timely manner means in compliance with University deadlines for the filing of such paperwork.

B. In the case of administrative error by the University and the employee is not paid on time, the department shall notify the employee(s) in writing as to why the administrative error occurred; departments shall have five (5) business days to comply with such a request.

23.5 Fees

A reimbursement for 100% of fees paid by each GA shall be issued each semester.

23.5 A Each GA shall be notified in writing as to what fees and the exact dollar amount of fees the GA is assessed each semester, and fees are to be distinguished from tuition.

———-

USFGAU proposed changes to CBA 2015-16