Anti-Union Bill Passes Legislature, USF Grad Assts. Ratify New Contract

Here's what you need to know this week:
 

SB 1296 Pass Florida House and Senate

The public sector union busting bill SB 1296 has passed the Florida Legislature with the House's vote Wednesday. For those unfamiliar, we've included a summary of the harmful changes this bill will create at the bottom of this story. We previously reported on a version of the bill that would require a majority of the bargaining unit to vote yes in a public-sector union election for the union to prevail. Under the version that passed to keep their union, workers must win a majority with 50% of their coworkers turning out to vote.

Rep. Persons-Mulicka, House sponsor, speaking on the bill Wednesday. Photo: Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix

The vote in the House was 73-37. Every Democrat voted no, and all Republicans, save eight, voted yes. The Republican no votes were Michelle Salzman, Hillary Cassel, Jim Mooney, Susan Valdés, Omar Blanco, Chuck Brannan, Anne Gerwig, and Karen Gonzalez Pittman. You can view the House vote here. The Senate voted 20-14 with Republicans Sens. Garcia, Rodriguez, Hooper, Pizzo, Catalayud, and Simon voting no. You can view and the Senate vote here. The bill now goes to Governor DeSantis who is expected to sign. The bill's effective date is July 1. This is not the first legislative attack that the labor movement has seen. The corporate interests and billionaire-backed think tanks that aim to destory our movement have yet to do so and never will as long as we continue the work of organizing and fighting.

Mitch Perry's story in the Florida Phoenix and McKenna Schueler's story in the Orlando Weekly were indispensable in the reporting of this legislative update.

SB 1296 Summary & History

The bill changes election rules to form or recertify a public sector union. SB 256, signed into law in 2023, requires that public sector unions maintain a dues-paying membership of least 60% or else they face decertification. While setting a membership threshold, the law also banned payroll dues deduction. Public sector unions that have not been able to meet this 60% requirement have instead pursued "recertification" elections where bargaining unit members vote to determine whether or not to keep their union. Police, firefighters, and corrections unions were carved out of the law and continue to be carved out under SB 1296.

SB 1296, which is on the Governor's desk awaiting his signature, changes the rules on union elections. Currently only a simple majority of workers who care to vote are needed for workers to keep their union. Under SB 1296 to keep their union, workers must win a majority with 50% of their coworkers turning out to vote.

USF Graduate Assistants Ratify New Contract

On March 5, University of South Florida graduate assistants (USF-GAU) ratified their new contract. Below are some of the gains:

Additionally, the new contract includes a re-opener for pay and healthcare no later than April 1, 2026. After ratification, the TA went before the USF Board of Trustees Tuesday. USF-GAU members mobilized to the meeting to start building pressure for the next round of bargaining. Congrats to USF-GAU on their new contract, and we will let you know how to show them solidarity as they continue bargaining.

Is your union in West Central Florida fighting for a contract, just won a contract or arbitration, or need labor solidarity with any of those things? If so, we want to know about it! Drop us a reply.
 

Union Made in America St. Patrick's Day

Click the image below for a list of union-made-in-America products for your St. Patrick's feast and libations.

Here's What's Coming Up:
 

POSTPONED: United Flight Attendants Informational Picket

Last week, we shared a call to action from AFA-CWA flight attendants at United who are bargaining a new contract. An informational picket that they had planned for next Friday 3/19 has been postponed due to progress in bargaining.

Brian Nathan Get Out the Vote

Our very own Brian Nathan (IBEW 915) has his election for Florida Senate District 14 on Tuesday, March 24. Click the graphic below to find a canvass or phonebank in your area!

That's all for this week! Check out our website at wcflc.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates. If you'd like to receive this weekly via email, please subscribe here: bit.ly/WCFLC