What is SUOAF-AFSCME?
In the early 1970s, a group of administrators from the different institutions throughout the Connecticut State University System met in New Haven to discuss the prospects of establishing a professional union. The group met with a number of established unions throughout Connecticut, and as the result of an election by the administrators of all four campus (Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western), they overwhelming selected the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) of Connecticut as its bargaining agent.
In 1976, each of the colleges (Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western) began the process of establishing a chapter. The four campuses collectively would first elect a Local Union to represent them in negotiations with the Connecticut State College System. Then each campus elected its own Chapter Executive Board. By the summer of 1976, the president of each chapter and the local executive board began drafting and negotiating with the Connecticut State College System (renamed in 1984 to the Connecticut State University System).
On April 1, 1977, a contract was agreed upon between AFSCME and the System Office (CSC), and ratified by the administrative faculty of the four campuses. The union became known as the State College Organization of Administrative Faculty (SCOAF) and renamed in 1984 to SUOAF in keeping with becoming a University.
On April 1, 2017, SUOAF/AFSCME entered its 40th year as the sole representative of Administrative-Faculty with the University System. Over the years, the membership has grown to over 800 members.