DeSantis decertifies 8 unions representing college professors

TALLAHASSEE — All eight unions representing adjunct professors at higher-education institutions in Florida have been decertified after DeSantis and Republican lawmakers last year approved a law that placed additional restrictions on public-employee unions.

More than 8,000 faculty members were represented by unions at Broward College, Hillsborough Community College, Miami Dade College, Seminole State College, St. Petersburg College, the University of South Florida, Lake-Sumter State College and Valencia College, according to Orlando Weekly, which first reported the status of the unions.

While the law affected a variety of public-employee unions, much of the attention focused on teachers unions, which have long heavily backed Democrats in elections against Republicans, including DeSantis.

Republican supporters of the law argued that education unions have been turned into political weapons.

Unions representing law-enforcement officers, correctional officers and firefighters — which have been more supportive of Republican candidates — are exempt from the new requirements.

Andi Clemons, director of academic affairs, administration and budget at Florida Gulf Coast University who has written about the law, told the publication Inside Higher Ed that “it’s hard to tell” what happens next with the unions.

“They will still exist as an organization but not have the authority to bargain and create a contract because they are no longer the recognized bargaining agent of the employees at these institutions,” Clemons told Inside Higher Ed. “It could mean changes in processes, contract terms, and the ability to have a voice in matters they perceive as violating procedures.”