Tell UF: Graduate Assistants Deserve a Raise
University of Florida Board of Trustees
Graduate Assistants United, representing over 4,000 graduate assistants at the University of Florida, is at an impasse with UF regarding raising our minimum stipend and protecting our released time appointments.
What is Impasse? Why are we here?
GAU has been negotiating the next full contract for over two years. After endless sessions at the bargaining table, UF and GAU mutually agreed to declare an impasse. This means that we do not believe that we will be able to solve our differences at the bargaining table, and need to bring in a third party (a Special Magistrate) to help.
On November 17th in the Reitz Union(starting at 9 am), the special magistrate will hear arguments from GAU and UF about the issues at impasse, and quickly after that come back with what he believes is the best agreement. If both parties agree, we will take this language to a ratification vote. If either side disagrees, the issue goes to the Board of Trustees to decide. It is important that the campus community speak out and are loud about this injustice. Show up to events, discuss impasse with your department and circles, and most importantly be at the impasse hearing! The more people we have there, the more pressure we put on UF to accept the results and respect the impasse process!
What issues are at impasse?
Stipends: Despite increases in the cost of living, UF has not budged on giving GAs any raise, even as they make huge profits each year off of the back of graduate assistants. We are pushing for a substantial increase to the minimum stipend, getting us ever closer to our goal of a living wage. While UF used to pay GAs 95% of a living wage as recently as 2017, the current minimum stipend is just 60% of this value, making it hard for GAs to pay rent, buy food, and pay bills.
Released Time: This provision gives GAU a certain amount of FTE per year to hire GAs to help with paperwork, work in our office, meet with GAs, and overall help ensure that our contract is protected and GAs have someone they can meet with in person most days of the week. This position is historically used by GAU to hire GAs who would otherwise have no funding, or be at risk of having to leave campus or the country. This has been in our contract for at least 20 years, and UF has committed to the complete removal of this, putting our ability to exist at risk.
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To:
University of Florida Board of Trustees
From:
[Your Name]
For over 50 years, Graduate Assistants United has served as the bargaining agent for graduate assistants, securing a minimum stipend, healthcare, paid leave, and tuition waivers. During this time, graduate assistants have served UF, teaching courses and conducting research, and making the success UF has had possible. We are a vital part of the campus community, and yet we continue to suffer with subpar wages as the university profits. Graduate assistants deserve a living wage, they deserve respect, and this impasse hearing is another sign of UF's unwillingness to pay GAs what they are worth.
We call upon the UF Board of Trustees to act as they say, and give GAs the salaries they deserve. Pay GAs a living wage, respect the bargaining and impasse processes, and do not impose your own language. Together we can continue to push UF to the next level.