Today, the dedicated public service workers of the City of Avon Park voted nearly 95% in favor of retaining their AFSCME contract and representation by AFSCME Local 3597.
Mental Health Awareness Month — observed in May since 1949 — is a time to focus on the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions.
Sheron Mickens loves her job. A benefits eligibility specialist for the State of Florida’s Department of Children and Families and member of Local 3076 (AFSCME Florida), Mickens says she loves making a difference in people’s lives.
National Law Enforcement Week gives us an opportunity to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of America’s public safety professionals. We honor and respect the thousands of AFSCME public safety professionals who never quit on our communities, and we commit to fighting for them so they can do their jobs safely and effectively.
AFSCME Florida Council 79 President and International VP Vicki Hall released the following statement today following the signing of SB 256:
“Freedom has always been earned from the bottom up. That is why we believe the collective voice of workers will overcome SB 256’s goal of silencing Florida’s dedicated public workers by stripping them of their freedom to speak up collectively and their right to join a union. Make no mistake, today is not the end, it is the start of the next chapter in our fight for justice, equality and freedom at work.
Adrian Andrews of WFSU interviewed AFSCME Florida's Nat Bender, who pointed out that "while most state workers will see their pay go up, the state is also placing more roadblocks on their ability to join a union. SB 256, a plan to eliminate automatic salary withdrawals for union dues, is moving forward over the objections of public employee unions."
Bender said, “We believe the intent of it is to discourage union members by procedurally making it more difficult for the members to exercise their freedom to join the union.”
