The Impasse Hearing will take place on the Ground Floor of the UF Reitz Union, in the Senate Chamber at 9:00 a.m.
Both Virtual and In-person Options are available for you to attend!
Your presence is of utmost importance to us and can impact the decision.
More Information Below:
What is the 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, 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 (BoT) to decide. Yes, the BoT gets to be both one of the parties, and an “impartial” judge. Because of this, it is important that GAs speak out and are loud about impasse. Show up to events, discuss impasse with your department and circle, 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 as they are instead of contesting them.
On November 17th in the Reitz Union, 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 (BoT) to decide. Yes, the BoT gets to be both one of the parties, and an “impartial” judge. Because of this, it is important that GAs speak out and are loud about impasse. Show up to events, discuss impasse with your department and circle, 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 as they are instead of contesting them.
What Issues are at the 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 the backs 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.
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.
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.
When is the Impasse Hearing?
Our hearing is Monday, November 17th, starting at 9 am. It is expected to go for several hours, and GAs are free to come and go as you have time! It will be within the Reitz Union, although we are working to get a final room chosen. We will update with you all when we have a room, and you can add the event to your calendar: https://calendar.app.google/8Z9513VhvEiMkxY17
Help us by talking about impasse with your friends and your department, being at our events, and being at our impasse hearing! Thank you all!
Help us by talking about impasse with your friends and your department, being at our events, and being at our impasse hearing! Thank you all!
