FSCJ and faculty still apart on pact

Times-Union

By Denise Smith Amos Mon, Oct 13, 2014 @ 5:47 pm | updated Mon, Oct 13, 2014 @ 6:00 pm

Florida State College of Jacksonville and its faculty union Monday failed to reach an agreement over pay raises.

The union wanted existing faculty (as of the 2013-14 school year) to receive a $2,000 boost plus a 2.5 percent raise, effective with the start of the current academic year.

For faculty hired this school year, base salary would rise $750 from current amounts, which range from $38,217 to $46,919, depending on a faculty member’s degree.

But FSCJ officials Monday stated they believe tuition will stay flat and enrollment will continue to decline. It’s down by 8 percent from last year.

The college proposed a 2.5 pay raise plus a $750 one-time payment for faculty, to begin in November. It also agreed to raise base salaries by $500 more in January 2015 if student headcount in the next spring, summer and fall semesters grows by at least 2 percent.

Negotiations are expected to resume Nov. 11.

Denise Amos: (904) 359-4083

*A correction was sent to the Times-Union to clarify the following items:

• Date of next meeting is November 13
• FSCJ faculty did not officially reject the College’s proposal, however it was not accepted during the 10/13/2014 meeting
• It was never stated that enrollment will continue to decline