News

Over the past few weeks, the hardworking public service unit of Duval County Public School employees represented by AFSCME voted by mail for the recertification of their union.

AFSCME Florida Statement on Recertification Win in Town of Surfside

“John Passidomo was an accomplished attorney, a civic leader and guiding light to Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and their entire family.

Tallahassee – AFSCME Florida Council 79 President and International Vice President Vicki Hall released the following statement today on the introduction of anti-worker legislation, SB256:  

  • Region 1 March 14th - March 15th
  • Region 3 March 28th - March 29th (Dade Days March 29th)
  • Region 2 April 11th - April 12th
  • All Regions April 25th - April 26th

If you think you would be able to attend, please complete this form and we will be in touch with specifics and to confirm. See details below and we will be in touch to confirm and finalize.

UF Health Shands Hospital’s Flight Paramedics, Dispatchers Form Union 

Gainesville – Flight and ground paramedics, along with dispatchers who work for UF Health Shands to respond to those in need around north Florida, and even internationally, voted unanimously to form a union with AFSCME Florida on Tuesday, August 30. The health care first responders are focused on improving the safety of their working conditions, ensuring adequate training and raising compensation to industry standards.  

AFSCME President Lee Saunders called on members to “keep fighting for civil rights, voting rights and workers’ rights” as the nation commemorates Black History Month.

AFSCME Local 1584 members approved an agreement which increases salaries and provides a retention bonus.

Local 10 Tampa Bay News quoted Local President Deena Howell. "I think overall we have a great contract and everyone from the administration to the employees demonstrated a lot of passion and commitment in coming to this agreement," she said.

Howell has been a school bus driver with the district for 17 years and said many like her had started to feel over-worked and undervalued.

When contract negotiations started last fall, Jackson Health System workers had weathered multiple surges of COVID-19.

The hardworking front-line staff of South Florida’s largest public safety-net health system were hopeful that their next Local 1363 (AFSCME Florida) contract would recognize how they pulled together to serve their community even when patients levels were high and staffing levels were battered by infections, burnout and more.

It did.

Following the explosive story by Lawrence Mower on the lack of transparency for state workers concerning COVID-19 exposure, the editorial board for Florida's largest newspaper weighed in.