Robert Cassanello is
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Labor Movement v. Fascism: Worker Organizers & Labor Educators Are Under Attack
Laira Flamders & Friends
Robert Casanello speaks on Laira Flamders & Friends:“Florida is kind of a bellwether in a lot of ways because Florida has been captured by conservative lawmakers who have nothing but antipathy for unions and the same for higher ed. So there's kind of a confluence here. If we look at the colleges, public colleges and universities in Florida, these attacks are many fold. And in one way they're attacking higher ed workers as workers and they're also attacking higher ed workers as teachers and instructors.” Click below to see him speak:
UCF students organize events for Black History Month since the university won’t acknowledge it
Orlando Weekly
“[Robert Cassanello] posits that UCF is taking an approach of ‘anticipatory obedience,’ a term described by the AAUP as ‘acting to comply in advance of any pressure to do so.’ ‘What we see with this DEI effort and ‘Stop WOKE’ Act and things like this, it’s an effort by the Legislature and the governor to really strip people of color [and] gender and sexuality minorities from the history of this country, in order to overemphasize the impact of white male heterosexual,’ (…) 'It's really important that people recognize themselves in the history of their nation,’ he shared. For a long time, he explained, African Americans, women, and gender and sexual minorities just weren't mentioned or acknowledged. ‘So, for us, celebrating Black History Month is important to correct that, and give people a chance to see themselves in history.’”
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.
Negotiations continue for faculty salary increases at UCF
Spectrum News 1
“But that’s not the way the Cassanello says the union sees things. ‘If you really do appreciate your faculty, like you keep telling us, you do. One way to communicate that to us is through raises,” he said. “I think when the administration takes us for granted, ignores us and treats us like spoiled children. I don’t think it really demonstrates an appreciation for what we do and who we are.’ He says especially as the cost of living and inflation increases.”
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.
Florida professor gets go-ahead to challenge race instruction law
CBS News
“‘In short, drawing all reasonable inferences in Dr. Cassanello's favor, he reasonably believes that the IFA (Individual Freedom act) bars him from providing instruction that he would otherwise provide,’ Walker wrote in addressing one of the state's arguments. The law, which also seeks to restrict how race-related concepts can be addressed in workplace training, has drawn at least four legal challenges.”
