AFSCME Florida is experiencing drastic change, and I’m excited about the opportunity we have to create a vital new movement here in the Sunshine State.
After a long and distinguished career fighting for Florida’s workers, including almost two decades leading AFSCME Council 79, President Jeanette Wynn retired. Now it’s up to us to continue the fight, and I believe we have the vision and the will to build a stronger, more powerful AFSCME throughout Florida.
But first we have to take stock of where we are, take a fresh look at what is working and what is not. That is why the Council 79 executive board voted to move the Council into organizing status.
- We are going to focus on mobilizing on a scale that this state has never seen before. This will include additional staff and resources to fight for improvements in wages, benefits and working conditions through heightened organizing.
- We are going to enforce contracts and serve members at the highest level because we know how winning at work strengthen and grows our union.
- We are going to work more closely within our own AFSCME family and with others in the community.
Working people and the services AFSCME members provide are under ferocious attack by corporate influenced politicians. To them, workers should be happy to have whatever job they get, period.
But we’re not backing down. We’re stepping up the fight. AFSCME Florida is going to get bigger and better, AFSCME Strong.
We have a lot of work to do, and much to sort out. This is where we begin:
- All contracts are, and will remain, fully in place and fully enforceable.
- Previous executive board members will continue providing valuable advice and critical leadership during this period through a statewide advisory council.
- There will be no cuts to staff wages or benefits.
Our union has always stood strong in the face of adversity. From standing up for the rights of public workers when our union formed in Wisconsin in 1932, to fighting for the dignity of sanitation workers in Memphis in 1968, to leading the effort to protect affirmative action here in Florida with a massive rally at the state Capitol in 2000, the biggest challenges have always provided the biggest opportunities for AFSCME.
President Wynn called on us to always look forward, to always stand for the rights of the worker and to never give up. That’s what AFSCME is all about, and I’m sure I can count on you to step up to the challenges we face.
Together we can build a strong and modern union that connects all public service workers. A union that has power in the workplace, at the bargaining table and with elected leaders. A union that every eligible worker – 100 percent – will want to join.
I look forward to working with you! Thank you.
In solidarity,
Andre Madtes
Executive Director