Paid Leaves Not Counted For Sabbatical Credits

Information From 5/27/25 is Below- Updates Are In Bold:

A few members contacted the FSU noting that their previous semesters of paid leave (sick leave and/or parental leave) were not being counted in their sabbatical credit total, despite language in Appendix C of the contract indicating that all paid leaves will count. The Administration initially indicated they would rectify the problem and count the semesters in question. However, they later reversed course and indicated that the semesters would not count. The Administration’s rationale was that since FMLA (which is unpaid) runs concurrently with paid leave per the contract, members are therefore unpaid for purposes of sabbatical credit accumulation. The GC disagreed and has filed a policy grievance (a grievance filed on behalf of multiple members and/or the union as a whole). The Administration proposed a settlement whereby one of the members affected in Fall 24 would have partial credit for their semester in exchange for withdrawing the grievance without prejudice. The member and the GC are reviewing the settlement offer. The FSU and Admin were not able to reach an agreement on the settlement for the individual in question. The FSU opted to pursue the grievance formally. The Administration then proposed a settlement whereby all paid leaves for all eligible members would be counted for sabbatical credits on a prospective basis. The FSU agreed to the settlement.