Welcome to another edition of the Florida AFL-CIO’s weekly Florida Labor Letter for the week of 7/24. As we arrive upon the final week of July, the true August dog days of summer approach. With much sun still left to be shone this year, and a dramatic fall election cycle on the horizon, there’s still plenty for working families to do as we close in ever closer on Florida’s primaries and beyond! Let’s get into it.

🏛️Legislative News

Data Centers Suck Up Electoral Energy

Ubiquitous to the discussion of AI and its ever increasing creep into our daily lives is the subject of Data Centers. No matter where you are in the U.S, these massive racks of cooled PC parts have popped up in increasing numbers as a result of the still-inflating AI bubble across American industry and an infrastructure environment struggling to meet its demand for power. As a result of the widespread construction, this has sparked a variety of concerns across states and cities about data center’s power consumption, environmental impact, and what they mean for the people living near them.

Whether its as the malicious underlying influence in movies like Ari Aster’s Eddington, or the subject of increased investigation by figures like famous activist Erin Brockovich and her Brockovich Data Center Tracking Project, the public is uneasy with the number of windowless white buildings and racks of hardware in them cropping up, driving a number of responses across the nation.

States like New York have responded aggressively, with Governor Kathy Hochul setting the country’s first statewide moratorium on data center construction as the result of massive construction influx and concerns from localities and state governments, while others like Texas have allowed for plenty of construction, much to the consternation of rural communities feeling their costs.

For Florida’s part, the discussion is ongoing. Earlier this year, Governor Ron DeSantis recently passed SB 484, a measure designed to prevent utilities from passing on the costs of water and electricity from data centers onto residential and small business customers, and preserve local autonomy over the approval and refusal of new center construction statewide. For Florida’s working families, this is an important step in the right direction when it comes to combating the factors driving the rising cost of living in the Sunshine State.

As the campaign season rolls along though, voters are still having the data center discussion about which direction to go in, and the over 22 million dollars spent so far by data center supporters this election cycle suggest they’re not the only ones.

This week, the subject found its way into Florida campaigns such as that of gubernatorial Democratic candidate David Jolly, who has called for a full moratorium on data center construction in Florida until environmental, privacy, and safeguards are established. As an issue of bipartisan concern, the discussion has emerged in the GOP as well, with GOP gubernatorial front-runner Byron Donalds arguing that if data centers are built, Florida ratepayers should be shielded from their costs.

For Florida’s-and America’s-working families, the concerns about Data Centers are not ones to go away soon, but as we head into the primaries and election season, this increased responsiveness from our elected officials showcases a flexibility to the issue that could bode well for future change.

🍊Florida Labor News

A Message to Our Union Family: Your Voice, Your Vote, Your Power

From the desk of FL AFL-CIO President Kimberly Holdridge:

Sisters, Brothers, and Siblings in Solidarity,

Florida’s Primary Election is upon us, and once again, the strength of our movement depends on each of us showing up, speaking out, and standing together. Our vote is not just a civic duty — it is an extension of our collective power, our values, and our commitment to working people across this state.

Every election is an opportunity to shape the future of Florida’s labor movement. The candidates endorsed by the Florida AFL-CIO have demonstrated a clear commitment to protecting workers’ rights, expanding economic opportunity, and defending the dignity of working families. These are leaders who listen to us, fight alongside us, and understand that strong unions build strong communities.

I am asking each of you — union members, leaders, retirees, and activists — to make a plan to vote in the Florida Primary Election. Talk to your coworkers, your family, and your neighbors. Help someone get to the polls. Remind your fellow members what’s at stake. When union members vote, working people win.

No matter who leads an election, one thing is for certain, elections cost money! Whether it’s paying for staff, travel, mail, or even the small things like balloons and stickers, campaigns of every kind rely on money to stay alive and succeed. That includes our Labor 2026 campaign!

As we have and will continue to mention at length, Labor 2026 is our biggest opportunity to disrupt the stagnant status quo not just in Tallahassee, but across all of Florida. With a slew of candidates running and major offices like U.S Senate and Attorney General on the ballot, we hope not just to break the supermajority, but shift Florida back into a state that fights for working families at every level of government. To do that we need your help!

If you are willing and able, please consider a donation to the COPE Action Fund. This fund is 100% dedicated towards executing member to member programming for Labor 2026. Every single dollar spent by this fund is used to turn out the votes of our workers, whether that be through the production of materials for your CLCs, educational information on the candidates running, voter registration initiatives for locals, and more.

Please click this link to make a contribution.

Every donation helps, no matter how large or small, Together, we win!

If you are able, I also strongly encourage you to support our endorsed candidates financially. Even small contributions can help ensure that pro-worker voices can compete everywhere against the many well-funded interests that do not share our values. Your support, at any level, strengthens the path for leaders who will champion fair wages, safe workplaces, and the rights we have fought so hard to protect.

Our movement has never been about one person or one moment — it is about all of us, standing together in solidarity and purpose. Let’s show Florida the power of organized labor. Let’s vote. Let’s support our champions. And let’s continue building a future where every worker is respected, protected, and heard.

✊Solidarity Spotlight

TSA Officers to Fight Privatization Push at Tampa International Airport

As reported over the last several weeks, the fight for union survival still rages on across our sunshine state, as corporate interests seek to re-assert themselves in the wake of favorable administrations. This week, a new front emerged at Tampa International Airport, where AFGE made clear its intent to fight the move by Tampa International to join the TSA Gold+ Program, a public-private partnership screening program that would result in the increased privatization of employee positions and security equipment currently held by union labor, resulting in a loss of jobs and decreased reliability.

As reported by local outlets like the Tampa Bay Times:

“Before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, airlines mostly hired private contractors to conduct airport security. Travelers didn’t need to show a boarding pass or ID. After the attacks, the federal government founded the Transportation Security Administration to create security regulations.“

After last year’s unnecessarily extended federal government shutdowns however,

“The Trump administration has pushed for airports to privatize security after a government shutdown earlier this year created flight delays nationwide, including at Tampa International.

The American Federation of Government Employees represents Transportation Security Administration employees across the country. In a Tuesday news release, it said the Trump administration’s push “ignores lessons learned from the Sept. 11 attacks and other airline tragedies.”

Union work is reliable, trained, and quality. You can learn more about what the shift to increased privatization means in the follow-up article here.

🗓️On the Horizon

Will you stand with us and help us keep building on the momentum of the labor movement? Visit https://dos.fl.gov/elections/for-voters/check-your-voter-status-and-polling-place/ to check your voter registration, access election information, and make a plan to vote! See below for important dates to note as we head towards primary season.

• Statewide
  • Important Primary Election Dates!
    • Ahead of the general, Florida’s registered voters must first decide their candidates in the primaries.
      • NOTE: As a closed primary state, only registered partisans can vote in a party primary here in Florida.
      • NPAs should not count themselves down and out though, as they can participate in a number of races across the state involving primaries for non-partisan office such as school board officials and judges.
      • Every voter is encouraged to check with their local supervisor of elections to find out what races are happening near you to ensure you can make your voice heard.
    • Wherever you are on the aisle, you should know these important primary dates from the Division of Elections:
      • Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters: July 4, 2026
      • Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters: July 9 – 16, 2026
      • Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation: July 20, 2026
      • Deadline to request that ballot be mailed: August 6, 2026 <— You are HERE
      • Primary Early Voting (mandatory period): August 8 – 15, 2026
      • Primary Election Day: August 18, 2026
• Digital
  • First Monday of every Month: FLARA Monthly Meetings
    • The Florida Alliance of Retired Americans (FLARA) invites any and all to attend their monthly zoom meetings. FLARA meets on the first Friday of every month at 10 AM EST, and features guest speakers and relevant information for retirees from national and state governments as well as important information on demonstrations, partner activities, etc.
    • Those interested in attending FLARA meetings should contact tammy@flara.org in order to get the monthly invitation.
• Regional
  • Central Florida
    • Orlando
      • Wednesday, August 5th: Meet and Greet with David Jolly!
        • Join fellow union members and leaders for a private meet and greet with Florida AFL-CIO endorsed candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor, David Jolly and Gwen Graham.
        • This event is space limited, and as such is invitation only, with advance registration required. You can RSVP on Mobilize at this link. The full location and building instructions will be provided via email after you RSVP.
    • Tampa
      • Tuesday, July 28: Protect Our Post Office Action! (9:00AM)
        • The Post Office is the beating heart of communities across America. But from the threat of privatization, to mail slowdowns, a postal financial crunch, and the attack on vote-by-mail, our public Postal Service is under attack.
        • Join Local 259 and APWU members across the country on July 28 at 9am in Carrollwood to rally to protect our post office! Sign up on the Action Network!
      • Tuesday, July 28: Rep. Kathy Castor Social Security/Medicare Cupcake Party (10:00AM)
        • As America’s Medicare/Medicaid program turns 61 this year, join Rep. Kathy Castor, APWU, FLARA, and other members of West Central Florida’s labor community for a party to celebrate another year of Social Security and Medicare and learn how to take action to preserve these important programs for future generations.
        • The event is taking place at the Fair Oaks Park Community Center in Tampa, FL!
  • South Florida
    • Hollywood
      • Saturday, August 29th: Broward County 2026 Labor Ball
        • South Florida siblings should mark their calendars for the arrival of the 2026 Labor Ball! Taking place in Hollywood Florida, join fellow union members and community leaders for a night of celebration, solidarity, and more!
        • This is a ticketed event, with dress code and registration required. You can register at this link or email browardaflcio@gmail.com for more information.

🛠️Business Board

Let’s Get Medicaid Expansion On the 2028 Ballot!

Attendees of our COPE Convention may recall one of our signature workshops by the Florida Policy Institute’s Chief Strategy & Development Officer, Holly Bullard, on the important topic of Medicaid Expansion in Florida. Off of the positive reception to her workshop, we wanted to make sure that all of you knew about the important and growing fight to finally get it done in Florida.

Over 15 years, Medicaid Expansion bills have been filed in the Florida Legislature, and have gone nowhere. This is all despite the fact that 75% of Florida voters support expansion, including a majority of Republicans. All the while, years of inaction have left over 3.5 million Floridians in a growing gap with no healthcare, increasing premiums, and billions left on the table in federal funds that could easily alleviate the issue. It’s time to change this un-necessary and awful reality, and Florida’s working families are key to getting it done.

Florida Decides Healthcare is leading a citizen-led ballot initiative to expand Medicaid and cover over one million Floridians who fall through the cracks: workers who earn too much for Medicaid but too little for private insurance. These are our siblings who show up every day and still can’t afford to see a doctor. With an unresponsive legislature, it’s time the voters forced action on the issue themselves. Since the legislature cracked down on citizens having a say in their own constitution last year, we’re hitting the ground early on this effort for 2028. Here’s how you can help:

Here’s the ask. It takes one minute:

1. Request your petition at https://floridadecideshealthcare.org/aflcio/
2. It arrives by mail. Sign it.
3. Mail it back. That’s it.

Your signature moves Medicaid expansion one step closer to Florida voters, and one step closer to healthcare for a million of your fellow Floridians. In a state that seeks to silence its voters, every single signature counts, so feel free to share the link with your coworkers, family, neighbors, and union siblings statewide.

All Florida workers deserve affordable healthcare. This is how we show up and make it happen.

• P.O.W.E.R Trainings and Pledge: Labor 2026 represents not just a statewide, but a national opportunity for change to build a better future for all of those in organized labor. To achieve victory, we’ll need as much help as we can get! Ahead of November, take the P.O.W.E.R pledge to:
  • Protect: Protecting the vote and ensuring every member can safely cast their ballot.
  • Organize: Organize new labor strongholds led by workers.
  • Win: Win crucial races that determine the future of workers’ rights.
  • Engage: Engage our baseline through authentic peer-to-peer contact.
  • Right Now: Mobilize Right Now. Action today creates victory tomorrow.

• FREE Trainings from the National AFL-CIO: The National AFL-CIO provides free virtual training sessions leaders and members of all of its State Federations, Area Labor Federations, CLCs and Affiliates. This list of training courses is updated regularly and covers a myriad of topics such as honing political skills, issue specific communications, and more. This page is updated regularly, so please visit and bookmark this link to stay informed and learn more about what is currently available to sign-up for in order to take your labor skills and knowledge to the next level!

📸Bonus Bulletin

This week’s New Yorker cartoon reminds us that even in relaxation, we’re never too far from a bit of regulation. Stay safe out there!

That concludes this week’s roundup! Thank you for reading and as always, In Solidarity!

Got any tips, actions, or messages you’d like to see in this email?

Please email Daniel Diaz at ddiaz@flaflcio.org