News

AFSCME Florida Statement on Recertification Win in Town of Surfside

AFSCME Florida Statement on Recertification Win in Town of Surfside

AFSCME Florida Statement on the Passing of John Passidomo

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

Paid Family Leave Policies Being Introduced in South Florida

Much-needed paid family leave provisions are being introduced in South Florida, granting new parents time to bond with their growing families. According to the Sun-Sentinel on Nov. 1, "The latest employer to join the ranks is Hallandale Beach, which recently became Broward County’s first city to approve paid parental leave for its workforce. And Fort Lauderdale may be among the next to join."

Among the few other cities or counties in Florida to offer paid parental leave: Broward County, Wellington, Coral Gables and Miami Beach, according to the article.

Naples Local Shows Unity In Negotiations

When the City Council rejects a Tentative Agreement negotiated in good faith, what do you do? While a host of administrative and legal remedies could be considered, around 40 bargaining unit members of Local 2017, representing municipal workers from a variety of positions in Naples, decided to march into negotiations Wednesday, October 27, to show unity and resolve. 

Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act Introduced

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act was introduced today in the House of Representatives by Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.). The bill, which currently has 144 cosponsors, would set a minimum nationwide standard of collective bargaining rights that states must provide. It would empower workers to join together for a voice on the job not only to improve working conditions but to improve the communities in which they work.

State Workers Call for Resources, Compassion and Flexibility With Rep. Crist

State management has been showing precious little compassion and care by disregarding public health measures which would safeguard the general public and workers, AFSCME Florida President Vicki Hall and members detailed for U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-13) on September 28. 

“It is a slap in the face to all state, county and municipal workers who are putting their lives on the line every day,” said President Hall during a statewide Zoom meeting with  the former governor.

The union difference: Greatest wealth gains are for Black and Hispanic union households

We’ve said it before: Life is better in a union. 

Workers who belong to unions make more money than their nonunion counterparts. They have better health care insurance and retirement plans, more job security and safer working conditions. They’re happier.

Newly Hired School Custodians Join Local At Training

With several hundred new custodians to Miami-Dade County Public Schools participating in training on everything from safety to how to manage their benefits, AFSCME Local 1184 members, along with AFSCME Florida staff, made sure the workers were welcomed and urged to join their union on Friday, October 15. Local 1184 President Phyllis LeFlore told the new employees that the first thing she did 36 years ago when starting to work for the district was to become an active member. At least 16 followed LeFlore’s lead that day and joined the union.

New contract recognizes the work of South Florida members throughout the pandemic

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.

Why Raising the Wage Matters

Unions, worker justice organizations, labor-friendly elected officials and even representatives of the Poor People's Economic Campaign rallied Thursday, September 30, in Miami  to celebrate the voter-approved increase in the state's minimum wage. Janice Coakley, President of Local 3293 in North Miami Beach represented AFSCME Florida to recognize the importance of the measure, which will continue increases over the next several years: