About the Union
A group of administrative faculty members began organizing in the early 1970s to establish consistency in job descriptions, ranks, benefits, and compensation. By selection, and through the election process, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) became our bargaining agent.
On April 1, 1977, the first contract was agreed upon and ratified, and our union became known as the State University Organization of Administrative Faculty (SUOAF). Each university campus and the Board of Regents of the ConnSCU system has a chapter of SUOAF AFSCME. On April 1, 2017, SUOAF-AFSCME entered its 40th year as the sole representative of the administrative faculty within the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities System, with over 800 members.
SUOAF-AFSCME bargains the terms and conditions of employment for its members. AFSCME is the largest union for workers in public service. In these days of tight budgets and reduced state labor, the need for the union continues to grow so that employees are not abused, are compensated properly, and provided benefits for the work they do to support students and faculty in the educational mission of the CSCU System.
Mission
The State University Organization of Administrative Faculty (SUOAF) organized by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is responsible for negotiating the terms and conditions of employment of members of the bargaining unit. It also promotes the quality and effectiveness of education in the Connecticut State College & Universities System and maintains high standards of academic excellence in all phases of instruction, research and service.
Purpose
SUOAF/AFSCME retains the exclusive right to negotiate and reach agreement on terms and conditions of employment for the members of the bargaining union.
SUOAF/AFSCME recognizes the desirability of a collegial governance system for the administrative faculty in areas of academic and/or professional concern.
SUOAF/AFSCME promotes the participation of administrative faculty with the university community.