HB1 Passed its Last Committee

Here's what you need to know this week:

One of the most anti-union pieces of legislation in recent memory just passed its last committee in the Florida House. House Bill 1 would:

• Put anti-union propaganda on dues authorization cards in the form of a paragraph in bold, 14 point font reading:
  
  “I acknowledge and understand that Florida is a right to work state and union membership is not required as a condition of employment. I understand that union membership and payment of union dues and assessments is voluntary and that I may not be discriminated against in any manner if I refuse to join or financially support a union.”
  
  
• Require that after the employer receives a signed dues authorization, deductions would not start until the employer goes on to “confirm with the employee, electronically or by other means, that he or she authorized the deduction of dues and uniform assessments.” This puts the employer in charge of the dues authorization process for the first time in history.
  
  
• Require dues authorizations to be renewed annually, meaning the union would have to chase down re-authorization forms from members who have no intention of leaving the union.

We're doing everything we can to stop this. We urge everyone to call their state representatives and tell them to vote NO on this blatant, union busting legislation. You can find the contact info for your state representative by CLICKING HERE.

Here's what's coming up:

- On Saturday (2/15), education professionals, parents, and allies of public education from along the I-4 corridor will be rallying from 1PM - 3PM at Lake Eola Park in Orlando. This rally is to demand that our schools be properly funded, that our children have adequate class sizes and learning conditions, and that the many other problems affecting public education in Florida be properly addressed. You can RSVP to the event HERE.

Keep in Mind:

We are still looking for legislative activists for Working Families Lobby Corps (WFLC). Each legislative session, the Florida AFL-CIO's WFLC Program ensures that we fill the halls of the legislature to hold our elected officials accountable. Participants sign up for week-long increments in which they will travel to Tallahassee, receive training, and go on to the capitol where they let the voice of Florida's working families be heard. Many locals have already signed up activists, but we still need members to make their voices heard. You can find the sign-up by clicking HERE (individuals interested in participation should first work with their local union).

That's all for this week! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates. If you would like to receive text message alerts from the Florida AFL-CIO (Msg & data rates may apply), text FLUNION to 235246!

In Solidarity,

West Central Florida Labor Council

If you have any comments, or would like something added to the newsletter, please let us know!