Anne Lindberg
The United Faculty of Florida delivered more than 180 signed cards from faculty members at the St. Petersburg College to the Florida Public Employees Relations Committee, calling for certification of a faculty collective bargaining unit at the college.
In accordance with state law, the faculty must submit a petition accompanied by 30 percent signed statements indicating the faculty’s “desire to be represented for purposes of collective bargaining by the petitioning employee organization.” The signed cards from SPC represent about 50 percent of the proposed bargaining unit. This action follows a recent union certification vote at Tallahassee Community College, where faculty voted for representation by UFF by a 139-22 vote.
“I believe that if there is to be true shared governance at SPC, then faculty needs a collective bargaining unit in order to have a shared and collective voice at the college,” said George M. Greenlee, economics professor at the Clearwater campus. “Real shared governance will allow our students to reach their highest potential.”
Juan Flores, communications professor at the Tarpon Springs campus, said, “In essence, our voice — our experienced and hands-on concerns — are not being heard by the Legislature or even the governor. This is why we seek greater, more organized representation. This is why we seek to establish a union at SPC. Democracy teaches us to do that.”
David Manson, music professor at the Gibbs campus, said, “These are challenging times for higher education as forces seek to transform public colleges into diploma mills. The faculty at St. Petersburg believe that collective bargaining will give greater voice to those who teach and will serve our students better.”
Dr. Jennifer Proffitt, president of the United Faculty of Florida and communications professor at Florida State University, said, “SPC is the only public higher education institution in the greater Tampa Bay area that does not have a collective bargaining agreement for its faculty. This faculty deserves to be treated equitably by SPC administration and its board of trustees and has decided that a collective voice will enhance the college’s mission and growth.”
7 comments
Dr. Rich Mercadante
August 22, 2016 at 4:40 pm
Respectfully, a clarification to Dr. Proffitt’s comment about “this faculty…has decided” and Dr. Manson’s statement about what “faculty at St. Petersburg believe.” Nothing has yet been decided. The small group of self-appointed union organizers do not speak for the entire faculty at St. Petersburg College.
Dr. Katherine Woods
August 28, 2016 at 10:47 am
Thank you for making that clear.
Dr. Jeffrey Briggs
August 23, 2016 at 8:51 am
With all due respect, I also have a comment. Professor Greenlee states “…if there is to be true shared governance at SPC, then faculty needs a collective bargaining unit in order to have a shared and collective voice at the college.” Right now, we have a shared and collective voice at SPC. It is called the Faculty Governance Organization.
Dr. Katherine Woods
August 28, 2016 at 10:50 am
I agree, Jeff. FGO has had a strong voice in the shared governance of SPC.
David Manson
August 23, 2016 at 10:58 am
Already, half of the faculty believe that there are internal and external issues that need the power of collective bargaining to address. I’m not sure how a “small group” is half the faculty, nor how a union can be “self-appointed”. I do know that faculty governance has historically been ineffective representing faculty and professional interests at the college during difficult times.
Whitney Hoth
August 23, 2016 at 2:02 pm
In response to Dr. Mercadante’s comment about “a small group of self-appointed union organizers” not speaking for the whole of SPC faculty: the issue will come to a vote and be decided by majority will as established by law and in accordance with democratic principles. At that point, Dr. Marcadante’s rhetoric will either be confirmed or swept aside. Let there be a vote.
Dr. Rich Mercadante
August 23, 2016 at 8:40 pm
Just a few facts. The SPC-UFF Organizing Committee consists of 20 people, all self-appointed. They are the only faculty who have allowed their names to be published as union supporters. Half of the faculty support putting the union question to a vote; this does not mean that half of the faculty “believe that there are internal and external issues.” Yes, I wish democratic principles would prefail. If a union is put in place, by law, a “pay to play” system is instituted. Faculty will have to pay dues in order to vote for their faculty reps and to vote for what issues should be brought up for collective bargaining.
There are reasonable people on both sides of this issue. Given that this may be the last “free election” for faculty I hope all faculty vote.
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