What is SB 256 (now Florida Statute § 447.305)?

Because unions are effective at protecting your rights and employment from predatory practices, the Florida legislature is attacking us with union-busting legislation passed in Spring of 2023. Senate Bill 256 requires public sector unions in Florida (except for police, fire, and correctional officer unions) to reach 60% membership or be decertified. Additionally, this bill makes payroll dues deduction illegal. This means we need 60% of almost 3000 GAs to join the union as a member through our new dues collection system or we are at risk of being decertified and losing our contract protections which were won through years of hard work.

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​There is a way to stave off decertification: if 30% of the bargaining unit sign Showing of Interest (SOI) cards saying that they are interested in being represented by their union--even if they are not a member--these cards are submitted to the Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC). This triggers an election where every member of the bargaining unit is mailed a ballot where they can vote in support or in opposition to being represented by their union. Winning the election allows the union to retain certification for the next year. For a few years, this vote was won by a simple majority...until SB 1296 went into effect on July 1, 2026.

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What is SB 1296?

Now, if a public sector union in Florida (except for police, fire, and correctional officer unions) needs to hold an election to retain their certification, just having a majority within the votes is not enough. In order for this vote to count, at least 50% members of the bargaining unit must vote, and the majority must be won out of that pool. For us, that's 50% of almost 3000 GAs receiving a ballot in the mail (hopefully going to their address in Tallahassee!), understanding its significance and being willing to vote--hopefully in favor. Low turnout means that our failsafe against decertification will fail.

(Note: our next election, coming sometime in the 2026-27 academic year, will not be beholden to SB 1296, as our election was called before July 1. However, this will be coming up the year after, so it is a very real and pressing threat that we need to fight!)

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​​What do we stand to lose if we are decertified?

​We have been a unionized workforce for nearly 15 years. Since 2008, FSU GAU has been our certified labor union, giving us the ability to directly negotiate our employing contract (known as the Collective Bargaining Agreement) with FSU. We have made massive strides in improving the lives of graduate assistants. We have increased the minimum stipend, negotiated yearly raises, and saved you hundreds in fees every year. GAU is the reason you have guaranteed health insurance. We have filed hundreds of grievances protecting GAs treated unfairly. We are the only entity on campus that has the ability to negotiate with FSU on behalf of all GAs and we have worked tirelessly to improve your working conditions.

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None of the benefits of our Collective Bargaining Agreement were willingly given to us. Every protection was fought for by our union. If we lose our union, FSU would no longer be obligated to abide by our contract once it expires.

FSU could:

• Take away your healthcare 

• Forego annual raises or a guaranteed minimum stipend 

• Charge you the full cost of fees 

• Charge tuition

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What can I do to help?

Become a member today! Dues are only 1% of each of your paychecks, deducted biweekly on pay day. For most GAs, that's less than $20/paycheck. Considering we won our fee relief scholarship, a 4% raise, and an increase to the minimum stipend in 2023 and both a 2% increase to the minimum stipend and a $1,300/$650 bonus (for .5 and .25 FTE respectively) across the board in 2025, the benefits of having a union far outweigh the cost. In addition to helping save our union, as a member you receive full contract enforcement services should you need it, access to local and national discounts and benefits through our parent unions, invites to our members-only socials, and a sense of solidarity and peace of mind.
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Join our Discord server to receive the most current information on the state of our union, union events, open leadership positions, and current issues at FSU. Our Discord server is also the best place to get in contact with GAU leadership and connect with other GAs in your department! Please feel free to contact us for a link or find it in our Instagram bio!

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