Benefits

Since we unionized in 2020, not only has the Bargaining Unit received raises each year, BUT ALL FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES of the College (who completed at least 1 academic year of service) have benefited by receiving raises each year. Bargaining Unit members have the power to pull up the wages of all Full-time employees at the College.

• 2023-2024 (Union = 6% raise for FT employees)

• 2022-2023 (Union = 6% raise for FT employees)

• 2021-2022 (Union = 4% raise for FT employees)

• 2020-2021 (no Union, no raise)

• 2019-2020 (no Union, no raise)

• 2018-2019 (no Union, = 3% raise for FT employees)

• 2017-2018 (no Union, no raise)

• 2016-2017 (no Union, no raise)

• 2015-2016 (no Union, = 2% raise for FT employees; 2% one time bonus)

• 2014-2015 (no Union, no raise)

Rarely a College of the Florida Keys (CFK) Board of Trustees, Town Hall, or Academic Affairs Meeting ensues that we are not reminded of State-level changes in legislation or policy that impact our college processes, procedures, students, and/or community. The Union is a powerful ally that can amplify the voice of our Board of Trustees and College Leadership Team to champion support for Florida students and our institution. In addition, the Union advocates for the Florida education system and its employees as a whole.

Through organized Union conferences and meetings, we build relationships and liaise with chapters at other Florida colleges and universities to better understand how they navigate the bargaining process and what details and stipulations are contained within their Collective Bargaining Agreements. 

Life in the Florida Keys is dynamic, and turnover of employees at the College is high. Often, changes of both Bargaining Unit members and Administration happens at a pace wherein institutional memory of the status quo is lost. The formal nature of the Union enables documentation of processes, expectations, and benefits so nuances of the relationship are not lost over time. 

You can request (never required) a Union representative be with you at any meeting with the administration. The Union representative is a fellow bargaining unit member who is there to be a third party to bear witness to the discussion. The administration cannot refuse to allow a Union representative to attend your meeting; however, they do have the power to refuse if you are not a member of the Union.

With the CFK Board of Trustee's decision to dissolve the CFK Faculty Council in 2020 at the CFK President's recommendation, the institutional support on which newer faculty members (in particular) relied for constructive guidance on drafting Continuing Contract Portfolios also dissolved. SUHE now fills this gap by providing Union members with mentoring and peer-review during this process.

SUHE provides UFF-CFK members with reimbursement up to $50 for professional activities and/or supplies. Fill out this reimbursement form application and submit to the UFF-CFK Treasurer. 

United Faculty of Florida (UFF) members are provided with:

• Employment Liability Insurance, $1 million per occurrence, plus free lawyer

• Two (2) free ½ hour consultations with  a lawyer on non-employment matters (e.g., wills) with a discount rate for additional time

• Grievance Representation – 95% solved at the school level

UFF-CFK SUHE members are also members of these affiliate organizations and share the benefits of the:

• Florida Education Association (FEA)

• FEA Retired Chapter offers a $150 Innovative Grant for projects that will enhance efficient and effective teaching and student learning.

• Discount Access Card (350,000 discounts at shops and restaurants)

• MyDeals (Discounts via phone app)

• National Education Association (NEA)

• Micro-Credentials (FREE competency-based short courses for members)

• FREE NEA Complimentary Life Insurance (minimum benefit payable $1000)

• NEA Easy Pay: interest-free payment plans with no credit check ($59.95 fee WAIVED for members)

• Other Insurance (AD&D, Pet, Renters, Sport & Leisure, etc.)

• Shopping Discounts (clothes, electronics, restaurants, movies)

• Rental Car Discounts

• Costco Discounts

• Vacation Discounts

• On-line Savings Account and Money Market Account

• Student Loan Forgiveness Navigator

• Car Buying Options

• Mortgages

• American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

• Vacation Discounts

• Personal Loans, Debt Consultation

• Budget Rental Truck Discounts

• Legal 

• Mortgages

• Hotels/Movies/Concerts

• Car Buying Options

• Health cost savings

• Layoff & Strike Benefits

• Medical Bill Negotiation Services

• Higher Education Labor United (HELU)

• American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)