News

Federal funding to help vulnerable Americans in danger of getting cut

Federal money for programs and services that help millions of vulnerable Americans and employ many AFSCME members could be in jeopardy next year.

AFSCME Florida Statement on New Organizing Victory in Osceola County

The AFSCME Florida family grew yesterday after a unit of the medical staff with the Osceola County Corrections Department vote unanimously, seven to zero, in favor of securing their union voice and

AFSCME Florida Statement on Governor DeSantis Signing Bill Stripping Workers of Their Rights and Freedoms on the Job

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.

Public Service Spotlight: Shawanna Henderson

State Salaries Should Rise, But Not At Expense of Freedom

 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.”

A DC 37 member speaks out about staffing crisis in Head Start programs

A DC 37 member speaks out about staffing crisis in Head Start programs

Linda McPherson

Bills of Interest as of May 1, 2023

Bills of Interest as of 5/1/23

SB256/HB1445 - Employee Organizations Representing Public Employees by Sen Ingoglia, by Rep Black

Jacksonville: Vote Early For May 16 General Election

Please remember to double check your polling places. Due to legislation, if you did not file again to receive a ballot through the mail you will not receive one. Vote early to avoid any Election Day problems on May 16. 

Today, we honor workers who died on the job

Is Gov. DeSantis Good for Florida Employees?

Jim Call writes in the Tallahassee Democrat that staff shortages mixed with a tight job market and low pay makes it hard for the state to fill vacancies.