The Results of the Impasse Hearing
Special Magistrate Decision in December 2025:
We just received word from the special magistrate on his decision regarding our current Impasse. As a reminder, the issues at impasse were a raise to the minimum stipend and the protection of our released time program. His decision(read it here) was to side with the University as far as raises, while siding with GAU for the protection of the released time program.
University's Plan:
Unfortunately, the University of Florida continues to make the Impasse process difficult. Following the ruling offered by the Special Magistrate in December, UF has decided to accept his ruling on Stipends (i.e., they are okay with Graduate Assistants not receiving a raise), but they have objected to his ruling on our Released Time Program (i.e., they seem to be pushing toward a unilateral removal of the program from our contract). Florida law allows for either party to disagree with the Special Magistrate decision, which then brings the issues under contention in front of the Board of Trustees, who have the final decision on the imposed language in the contract.
Let me be clear: The University of Florida Board of Trustees is trying to unilaterally remove a section of our contract, without our consent. They are attempting to cripple the ability of GAU leadership to operate through the Released Time program, which is vital for our sustainability. Released Time GAs help to file GAU paperwork at the university and state level, hold office hours to meet about GA issues, and visit offices to ensure that we remain connected across campus. You can read UF’s justification for their attempt at ending the RT program here.
GAU will not take this lying down. Immediately following UF’s rejection of the Special Magistrate’s decision, we filed our own - bringing our continued fight for a higher minimum stipend to the Board of Trustees, as well. Both issues will be heard by the board at a hearing (details TBD) - until then, it is important that GAs are united in purpose and loud in our dissent.
Your Contribution to Your Union:
As we navigate the road that UF has set, we ask for your feedback on what actions you want to see from GAU and what actions you would support us in taking via this short Google Form. The form is by default anonymous, but you can leave your name and email if you wish!
We will keep you updated as we hear more!
We just received word from the special magistrate on his decision regarding our current Impasse. As a reminder, the issues at impasse were a raise to the minimum stipend and the protection of our released time program. His decision(read it here) was to side with the University as far as raises, while siding with GAU for the protection of the released time program.
University's Plan:
Unfortunately, the University of Florida continues to make the Impasse process difficult. Following the ruling offered by the Special Magistrate in December, UF has decided to accept his ruling on Stipends (i.e., they are okay with Graduate Assistants not receiving a raise), but they have objected to his ruling on our Released Time Program (i.e., they seem to be pushing toward a unilateral removal of the program from our contract). Florida law allows for either party to disagree with the Special Magistrate decision, which then brings the issues under contention in front of the Board of Trustees, who have the final decision on the imposed language in the contract.
Let me be clear: The University of Florida Board of Trustees is trying to unilaterally remove a section of our contract, without our consent. They are attempting to cripple the ability of GAU leadership to operate through the Released Time program, which is vital for our sustainability. Released Time GAs help to file GAU paperwork at the university and state level, hold office hours to meet about GA issues, and visit offices to ensure that we remain connected across campus. You can read UF’s justification for their attempt at ending the RT program here.
GAU will not take this lying down. Immediately following UF’s rejection of the Special Magistrate’s decision, we filed our own - bringing our continued fight for a higher minimum stipend to the Board of Trustees, as well. Both issues will be heard by the board at a hearing (details TBD) - until then, it is important that GAs are united in purpose and loud in our dissent.
Your Contribution to Your Union:
As we navigate the road that UF has set, we ask for your feedback on what actions you want to see from GAU and what actions you would support us in taking via this short Google Form. The form is by default anonymous, but you can leave your name and email if you wish!
We will keep you updated as we hear more!
Your Department Steward:
We have created the Stewardship program to share the news and our concerns with graduate assistants easier. Please check our new webpage about the Stewards in here.
If you are not sure who your department steward is, please contact Tara ([email protected]).
We have created the Stewardship program to share the news and our concerns with graduate assistants easier. Please check our new webpage about the Stewards in here.
If you are not sure who your department steward is, please contact Tara ([email protected]).
