The proposed pay raise approved by FAMU Trustees on yesterday falls far short of the proposal presented to the Board/administration by the faculty over a year ago. While the FAMU Trustees have approved a two percent raise, the FAMU UFF had requested a 3.5% across-the-board pay raise for all for all members of the collective bargaining unit, which includes faculty and other personnel.Further, the Board's proposal fails to address market equity and salary inversion(i.e., salaries of lower level faculty, Assistant Professors, exceeding those
of higher level faculty, Associate and Full Professors,in the same discipline).
The Board had no problem approving $85,000 in bounses and salary increase (nearly 20%)for the interim president. Yet, it has approved offered only a two percent raise for the faculty, which hasn't received a pay increase from FAMU in over 3.5 years. The Board's proposal also includes several stipulations which means that even if the FAMU UFF and the administration reached an agreement soon that employees may not get the full 2%.
Tentative meetings between the FAMU UFF and the FAMU Administration are scheduled for May 11, May 18, and May 25.
What about the faculty taking a public vote of "no confidence" in Dr. Bryant? It seems like they are angry about their pay but haven't publicly voiced their displeasure (outside of Dr. Tucker).
ReplyDeleteA vote of "no confidence" should
ReplyDeletealso include the BOT. The BOT usually rubber-stamps Dr. Bryant's proposals, but when a proposal is clearly bad for morale, the BOT should not approve it.
Let's hope Dr. Thompson can corral the masses. As president of the UFF, she has a daunting task ahead.
ReplyDeleteBryant asked trustees to act on the raise during an emergency board teleconference. It would be drawn from FAMU's $8 million unaudited surplus in its 2004-05 budget, of which $6 million was unspent in the salaries area.
ReplyDeleteThe state Auditor General's Office this month will finish its report on the 2004-05 budget and allow 30 days for FAMU to respond before the final audit and findings are released.
If the surplus is to be believed, there is no reason why the faculty and staff should not receive "Combat Pay" and a $2,500 bonus for all of the pain and suffering they all have had to endure these last 3 years.