Robert Cassanello for United Faculty of Florida President
President UFF-UCF | 2020-2024
Vice President UFF | 2024-2025
Chief Negotiator UFF-UCF | 2024-2025
Hear the mission…
“We are at ground zero of a nationwide effort to destroy higher education and public sector unions. We’ve seen college and university presidents and administrators become willing participants in diminishing public higher education as we knew it. I stood up and sued the state over HB7 and spoke to the press about the legislative assaults on our workplace. To save our colleges and universities, we must ensure the continued existence of our union. This means building up union density and making our union more democratic. We can only combat what is coming down from Tallahassee through member to member, rank and file organizing.
As President of UFF-UCF, I assumed leadership of a chapter that was in sharp decline. During two terms I instilled confidence in our former members who rejoined our ranks. As state Vice President I helped plan a statewide organizing meet-up, where leaders from across the state came together to develop their organizing skills and strategize about how to build their chapters.
We must build a truly democratic union, one run by and for members. I want a union that reflects our priorities, that defends academic freedom and that wins compensation on par with the cost of living. I will open up the work of the Steering Committee to our union leaders. I will lead us in building this union by working to ensure we have a strong representative structure on all our campuses and by using the Senate as a democratic forum to shape our organizing priorities.”
And see the mission…
Ron DeSantis Is All In—on Creating an American Autocracy
Mother Jones
Robert Cassanello isn’t just defending academic freedom—he’s on the front lines of the fight against political interference in education. As Florida lawmakers push censorship, surveillance, and fear into universities, Cassanello refuses to back down. This article highlights his unwavering commitment to faculty rights, his bold defiance of restrictive laws, and the growing crisis in Florida’s higher education system. If you want to understand what’s at stake—and why Cassanello is the leader we need—this is a must-read.
Muzzled by DeSantis, Critical Race Theory Professors Cancel Courses or Modify Their Teaching
ProPublica
As anti-CRT laws spread fear through Florida’s universities, many professors are being forced to choose between their jobs and their principles. While tenured faculty like Cassanello are pushing back—challenging these laws in court and refusing to censor their lessons—untenured educators face a harsher reality, with contracts that can be quietly terminated for teaching “controversial” topics. This article explores how professors across the state are navigating the crackdown on academic freedom, revealing the growing divide between those who can fight and those who are being silenced.
Faculty union concerned with state law that may force decertification
The Charge News
With Senate Bill 256 raising the threshold for union certification, thousands of faculty members at UCF could lose critical benefits, legal protections, and their collective bargaining power. Cassanello and his colleagues are racing against time to keep the union alive, navigating bureaucratic hurdles designed to weaken public-sector unions. This article dives into the high-stakes battle unfolding at UCF and what’s at risk if faculty lose their union.
Faculty Union President leads faculty union through pandemic
The Charge News
Cassanello’s leadership as President of the UFF-UCF has been marked by a commitment to transparency, democratic practices, and creating a more engaged union. Elected with strong support, Cassanello led the union through crucial renegotiations of the faculty’s collective bargaining agreement and tackled the challenges posed by remote learning during the pandemic. His leadership style is grounded in collaboration and a willingness to listen, with Union VP Beatriz Reyes-Foster praising his inclusive approach. As the union faces external challenges like potential decertification legislation, Cassanello remains focused on service to the broader community and maintaining unity in the face of adversity.
What do Florida’s new ‘whitewashed’ Black history standards mean for the state of education?
Orlando Weekly
Cassanello exposed how Florida’s new history standards distort African American history—falsely framing racial violence as “both sides” and downplaying the role of European and American institutions in slavery. These changes force teachers into self-censorship and mislead students about the realities of systemic racism. Cassanello understands that these attacks are part of a broader assault on education and workers’ rights. His leadership and commitment to truth make him the strong, principled advocate our union needs.
Federal Judge Clears UCF Prof Robert Cassanello to Sue Over DeSantis’s ‘Stop Woke Act’
Flagler Live
A federal judge allowed his legal challenge on HB7 to proceed, rejecting the state’s attempt to dismiss the case. Cassanello leads with other plaintiffs argue that the law violates First Amendment rights by censoring academic freedom and chilling speech in the classroom — Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker agrees. Cassanello underscores his commitment to protecting both academic freedom and the integrity of our union.
[Robert Cassanello] warns against the university’s shift toward legislative compliance under DeSantis
The Charge News
SB266 and HB999, have drastically altered the way universities function, prioritizing funding over educational quality. At UCF, these changes have led to the rebranding of the DEI program and the elimination of diversity-focused positions. Cassanello believes these restrictions harm both professors and students. His opposition to these laws reflects his commitment to ensuring faculty can teach freely.
