Update

CWA Actions in Florida

Aaron Carmella |

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!

Make the Call – Rights at Work!

Aaron Carmella |

LEGISLATIVE ALERT: The Florida Senate is currently considering SB 256, legislation that infringes on public sector workers’ rights to join or stay in a union. The Senate will continue to hear this bill in committee, and it is up to US to contact our Legislators and tell them to vote NO on this union-busting Bill. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation for Florida’s Labor Movement. Call your senator today and tell them to vote NO on SB 256!

Take a stand and click here to make the call for workers’ rights.​

In Solidarity,

The Florida AFL-CIO Team

3-7 Challenge for Education

Aaron Carmella |

In response to Gov. DeSantis’ ongoing attacks on Florida’s public education system, pre-K through graduate school, the Florida Education Association (FEA) and the United Faculty of Florida (UFF) are calling for a “Public Education Day of Action” on March 7, the first day of Florida’s legislative session.

During this day of action, we are asking all employees, students, parents and allies (both in state and around the country) of Florida’s K-12 schools, colleges and universities to take part in “The 3-7 Challenge.”

To complete “The 3-7 Challenge,” supporters are asked to make 3 phone calls and send 7 emails to Florida’s elected officials on March 7. These officials include Gov. DeSantis, the Senate president, the House speaker, members of the Florida Board of Governors (which oversees our state universities), the Florida State Board of Education and various legislative committees. Our goal is to drive more than 10,000 points of contact to Florida’s elected leaders, demanding that they protect the public good by protecting public education!

Please visit and share this linked page on the FEA website to find all of the necessary information to participate in “The 3-7 Challenge,” including contact links, talking points and more. Together, we will build the future Florida needs, one student, educator, professor and education staff professional at a time.

Working Families Lobby Corps: Back and Better Than Ever in 2023

Aaron Carmella |

Labor Activists are prepared to flood the halls of the Capitol once again in 2023! We were back in town last year following the previous Covid-19 restricted Session and our impact was felt throughout the Capitol.

This year will be no different, and it is as important as ever to be part of the process this year. There are many attacks on the horizon but with your help we will be prepared to defend the rights of Working Floridians.

As a member of the Working Families Lobby Corps, you will spend a week in Tallahassee speaking up for Florida’s working families. Members can look forward to learning the ins and outs of Florida’s legislative process, meeting with their elected officials, becoming empowered to bring the fight for working people back to their communities, and solidarity with their fellow working people.

Our travel changes last year proved to be successful and we are continuing the travel on Sundays, in anticipation of Monday morning committee meetings. Legislative briefings will depend on scheduled committees/legislation. Morning briefings will continue as usual from Tuesday through Thursday.

The Working Families Lobby Corps has been the premier program fighting back against legislation that harms working people. Click here to sign up to join the 2023 Working Families Lobby Corps!

WFLC Sponsorship Form

Aaron Carmella |

FLORIDA AFL-CIO 

2023 Legislative Session 

Working Families Lobby Corps 

Sponsorship Form 

Name of Local Union/Organization: ________________________________________________________ 

Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________ 

Contact Person: _____________________________   Phone/email: ________________________________ 

Please fill out this form and return it with a check for your preferred sponsorship. Suggested contribution amounts are listed below. You can designate the week your Local Union/Organization wishes to be listed as a sponsor by circling one of the dates below. 

Your sponsorship goes to providing supplies for members of the Working Families Lobby Corps, food and beverages for our daily breakfasts and our Thursday night celebration, and cleaning supplies to keep members safe throughout the program.  

Sponsorship Levels:  

_________ Platinum ($2,500)  

_________ Gold ($1,500) 

_________ Silver ($750) 

_________ Bronze ($500) 

_________ Preferred Donation (Enter amount) 

Session 

March 7-10th, 2023  

March 13-17th, 2023  

March 20-24th, 2023  

March 27-31st, 2023 

April 3-7th, 2023 — Good Friday  

April 10-14th, 2023 

April 17-21st, 2023 

April 24-28th, 2023 

May 1-5th, 2023 

Please make check payable to:  Florida AFL-CIO  

Attn: Daniel Reynolds 

135 S. Monroe Street 

Tallahassee, FL 32301 

Check Memo Line: 2023 Working Families Lobby Corps 

Election Volunteering Opportunities!

Helen Parker |

The Labor 2022 Campaign to elect candidates who will stand up for Working Families is underway and WE NEED YOUR HELP. There are many ways to have your voice heard from door knocking, calling and texting Sisters and Brothers about the importance of this year’s election. We have endorsed candidates from the top of the ticket down, a list of which can be seen on this PAGE.

If you are interested in helping to improve the state of Florida for you, your family, and future generations, please use the link below. Once signed up you will be given information on how to volunteer on behalf of Florida’s workers. If you have any questions please contact us at acarmella@flaflcio.org.

To receive information about how to volunteer please follow this LINK.

Hurricane Ian Relief

Helen Parker |

Florida families across the state desperately need your help.

As we are all aware, Hurricane Ian made landfall last week, destroying some areas and bringing disastrous flooding to a huge swath of our great state. Many of our Sisters and Brothers homes were completely destroyed or severely damaged and are still without power and the road to recovery will be long.

In response, the Florida AFL-CIO has rebooted our disaster relief fund for union members and community allies in the state who are struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. The funds you donate today will help provide supplies, food, water, and other essentials for Florida families in need. We have been working hand-in-hand with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who are graciously supplying trucks, drivers, and boots on the ground to ensure the supplies get to the areas most devastated by the storm and supplies are being delivered to those affected. 

There are two options available to make contributions –

  1. If you can write a check or make a commitment right now, please respond HERE, and the Florida State Fed will upfront your commitment and invoice you for the contribution. Please make the check out to the Florida AFL-CIO. The memo line should indicate the Florida Workers Relief Fund-Hurricane Ian. All checks should be mailed to the Florida AFL-CIO headquarters: 135 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
  2. If you can pay by credit card, please click this link: Hurricane Ian Donation

We urge you to step up immediately because the challenges workers are facing are serious. Any contribution you can make today, large or small, will make a difference in the lives of struggling families.

If you have any further questions please contact us at sandrades@flaflcio.org.

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