Press Release

UFF chapter at the University of South Florida and three individual faculty members who were laid off from the University of South Florida filed suit in federal court to challenge the SB 266 arbitration ban and to protect union contracts in Florida’s university system. Today, we continue our fight to protect our members and their families, all of whom work every day to make Florida a better place for all people of all beliefs and backgrounds.

Earlier today, the United Faculty of Florida filed suit in state court to challenge the arbitration ban in SB 266, which gives final decision-making authority to university presidents regarding personnel disputes. Without question, there is no justice in allowing the same university leaders who violate contractual agreements to serve as the final arbiters of whether they have acted fairly.

The United Faculty of Florida calls upon Board of Governors Chancellor Rodrigues to step back and allow the search process at Florida Atlantic University to continue unhindered or to immediately resign from his position.

Earlier today, Gov. DeSantis announced that the state of Florida has filed suit against the Biden administration to overturn the higher education accreditation process, not just in Florida but across the country. This afternoon, UFF put out this PRESS RELEASE, wherein we push back against the false claims made by Gov. DeSantis and his supporters. In this release, we defend the right of all higher education classrooms to be free from undue political influence, and we call out the authoritarian tactics of our state’s elected leaders.

SB 266 is a key example of how Gov. DeSantis and his supporters in the legislature have decided that the state has the right to control and compel viewpoints in higher education classrooms across the state. UFF stands opposed to this fundamental attack upon the freedoms of all Floridians, and we call on all organizations—public and private, whether in education or otherwise—to stand with us.

On Wednesday, March 29, the Florida Board of Governors intends to pass Regulation 10.003 – Post-Tenure Faculty Review, against the wishes of the entire higher education community across Florida and the country. A harm to tenure is a harm to all; UFF implores the public to contact the Board of Governors and tell them not to pass Regulation 10.003. The consequences to Florida’s future are clear, and it is time we all demand more of our elected and appointed leaders, now and into the future.