SB 256 Update

Updates on SB 256 – Eliminating the Rights of our Public Sector Workers

The rule making process to implement SB 256 is underway.  The Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC) is taking on the task of writing the rules that will determine how our public sector unions will operate in this new reality.

The Florida AFL-CIO has convened a strong coalition of attorneys and leaders from the public sector who are following the process closely and participating at every step.  All our public sector affiliates are represented in this coalition.  Three public hearings have been held and the rules are slowly coming together.  You can get updates, review proposed rules, and sign up for updates here:

https://perc.myflorida.com/

We are navigating very complex and serious legal waters here.  We ask that you do not submit any comments on the proposed rules at this time unless they have been reviewed by the legal team.  If you have any questions on this process, please contact Rich Templin with the Florida AFL-CIO – 850-224-6926.

While this process moves forward, our public sector unions are working hard in the trenches on what could be the largest internal organizing campaign in Florida history.  We will work, we will persevere, and we will thrive! 

CWA Actions in Florida

Earlier this week, hundreds of journalists across the country walked off their jobs in protest against Gannett, the nation’s largest newspaper chain. This coincided with their annual shareholder meeting and was the largest collective action that Gannett employees have ever taken to date. Two dozen newsrooms across seven states participated in the one-day strike to demand that Gannett get serious about reinvesting in local news.

Members in Florida played their part, staging walkouts in Jacksonville, Palm Beach and Naples/Fort Myers. Check out the news clips below:

Jacksonville

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/florida-times-union-journalists-rally-for-pay-increases/77-9938b8a2-bc8c-410f-b41a-427568f28dc2

https://www.news4jax.com/business/2023/06/05/florida-times-union-workers-join-journalists-striking-to-demand-leadership-change-at-biggest-us-newspaper-chain/

Palm Beach

https://www.news4jax.com/business/2023/06/05/florida-times-union-workers-join-journalists-striking-to-demand-leadership-change-at-biggest-us-newspaper-chain/

Naples/Ft Myers

https://news.wgcu.org/section/business/2023-06-01/local-news-staffers-will-strike-gannett-newspapers-monday-cite-mismanagement-no-contract

National/State Coverage

https://cwa-union.org/news/strike-alert-cwaers-strike-five-companies

https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2023/06/01/gannett-journalist-strike-walkout-protest-ceo/

In addition to the Gannett Strike, Maximus Call Center workers were on the line as well, and joined in the effort on Monday in Tampa. These workers have faced low wages, timed bathroom visits and layoffs while the CEO hires contractors to fill the jobs. See more about their action on Monday:

https://www.cbsnews.com/tampa/news/dozens-of-local-employees-are-going-on-strike-against-a-company-called-maximus/

Tampa Maximus Strike Florida Phoenix

Please keep up with our activities moving forward and remember a threat to one is a threat to all!

2023 Working Families Lobby Corps Sine Die and SB 256 Update Video

The craziness has ended on the floor of the Capitol, but that doesn’t mean our fight is done! Check out our final WFLC update to see what happened and the future of our fight for Working Families in Florida.

2023 Working Families Lobby Corps Week 8

Nearing the end of Session the crazy Legislation was ramped up in Week 8. Check out our update video to see what zany ideas lawmakers in Tallahassee had in store for Working Families!