ORLANDO, Fla. — Negotiations are still ongoing, but University of Central Florida’s teacher’s union is disappointed after learning they won’t be receiving across-the-board raises this year.

What You Need To Know

  • The United Faculty of Florida at UCF represents almost 1,700 UCF employees

  • UCF officials say the university is unable to give across the board raises this year. Instead, the university is making investments in “other strategic decisions” and also areas like advising and student success to make sure students complete their degrees in a timely manner

  • UCF officials say that funding will go towards helping students and the university reach preeminence status

As part of salary negotiations, UCF says they have given raises previously when funding was available but that it “has never been guaranteed.”

The union is still trying to negotiate these raises with the board of trustees.

The union represents almost 1,700 UCF employees. The president of the union and the lead negotiator say they can’t understand why funding won’t go to salary increases.

UCF officials say that funding will go towards helping students and the university reach preeminence status.

“It’s putting us in a very awkward situation,” said Robert Cassanello, associate professor of history and president of United Faculty of Florida at UCF.

He says salary negotiations kicked off in September; the union asking for 8% in faculty raises.

“Well, we’re going to continue negotiations. We’ve seen the budget. We believe there is money in the budget for raises,” he said.

Cassanello, who grew up in Florida, went to FAU as an undergraduate, says the faculty is insulted.

“We’re feeling demoralized. I mean, there’s a lot of anger out there. A lot of people are really angry at UCF,” he said. 

UCF, meantime, says it is making investments in “other strategic decisions” and also areas like advising and student success to make sure students complete their degrees in a timely manner.

University officials sent a statement to Spectrum News that reads in part: “UCF is aggressively pursuing preeminence through the Florida Preeminence Program. Achieving this status would unlock new recurring, unrestricted state dollars that would allow us to do more for our people and have an even greater impact. The final metric we need to reach preeminence is improving our 4-year graduation rates,” said Courtney Gilmartin, Assistant Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Communications at UCF.

But that’s not the way the Cassanello says the union sees things. 

“If you really do appreciate your faculty, like you keep telling us, you do. One way to communicate that to us is through raises,” he said. “I think when the administration takes us for granted, ignores us and treats us like spoiled children. I don’t think it really demonstrates an appreciation for what we do and who we are.”

He says especially as the cost of living and inflation increases.

“I’ve had faculty communicate to me. ‘Why stay if we can’t get raises?’ They’ve experienced salary compression. They’ve experienced a higher standard of living, they’ve experienced inflation, and to have UCF turn around and tell them they don’t deserve any raises. They’re just going to try and get more money elsewhere,” he said.

UCF officials say the budget outlook for the next fiscal year kicking off on July 1 is “more favorable,” with additional recurring funding from the state to prioritize things including salary enhancement.