The UT-AAUP is assisting a number of faculty with serious health problems who are having issues with FMLA and sick leave. Ellen Grachek, Senior Director Faulty Labor Relations, has been cooperative in working with the UT-AAUP to resolve these issues.
If you have an issue with FMLA or sick leave, please contact the UT-AAUP at staff.utaaup@gmail.com to the attention of Kim Nigem or Don Wedding. Lecturers may also contact Michael Kistner. Please do not wade into these issues alone without UT-AAUP representation.
There is a difference between FMLA and paid sick leave. Although the CBAs mention FMLA, FMLA is not a prerequisite for taking paid sick leave under the CBAs. A faculty merely has to inform his/her Chair (preferably in writing) that the faculty is going on sick leave. The sick leave will be paid from the faculty member’s accumulated sick leave hours or from the UT-AAUP Sick Leave Bank. If FMLA is turned down, that does not prevent paid sick leave under the CBAs.
If you are not a member of the UT-AAUP Sick Leave Bank, please consider joining. It is a one-time only donation. Michael Kistner is Chair of the Sick Leave Bank.
UT-AAUP Executive Board