Here's what you need to know this week:
This year, we've accomplished a lot together in West Central Florida. Here's a look back at some of the highlights.
- In January, young workers from around our council re-founded the West Central Florida Future Labor Leaders chapter, ensuring that young and early career workers have a voice in the future of the labor movement. Activists from our chapter went on to become instrumental in revamping the statewide organization, as well as hosting rallies, film screenings, and forums.
- In January and February, we stood with federal workers during the weeks-long government shutdown. Members of our council leafleted airports, rallied, and gathered hundreds of items to donate to affected workers
- In March, we worked together to elect a slate of allies to the Tampa City Council, setting the stage for wins for workers at the local level. We built on this a month later in the runoff for the mayor's seat, when we helped carry Jane Castor across the finish line in another victory for workers throughout the city.
- During legislative session, which ended at the beginning of May, our council sent dozens of activists to Working Families Lobby Corps in Tallahassee to fight for workers across the state. Many of these activists were first time participants, and together we helped push back legislation which could have scrapped workers' comp in Florida.
- Throughout late spring and through the summer, union members from around our council stood in solidarity with custodians in Hillsborough County Schools facing privatization. Working with their union, the Hillsborough School Employees Federation, union activists and public education advocates were able to overcome this threat and protect the livelihoods of our sisters and brothers.
- As summer turned to fall, our council was able to work with Hillsborough County officials to protect the right of county employees to appeal disciplinary action after the Hillsborough County Civil Service Board was abolished during legislative session.
- In September, activists from our Florida Future Labor Leaders chapter lead the effort at the biennial Florida AFL-CIO convention to pass a resolution recognizing climate change as a workers' crisis, ensuring that the labor movement in Florida can be a leader in the fight to defend the environment we work in.
- In October and November, we worked together again to secure another win for workers in St Petersburg, electing more allies to the city council. This will ensure that the work we've done at the local level can be protected and expanded moving forward.
- Last (but certainly not least), this month, unions from our council came together to participate in our annual holiday toy drive to support the Children's Home Society of Tampa Bay. Together, we helped make the holiday season a little brighter for children in our area.
A huge thanks goes out to everyone who helped in all of these accomplishments, and we look forward to the victories of 2020!
Here's what's coming up:
We have no major events in the next week, and we'll be out of the office until January. We hope you have a happy holiday season, and we'll see you after the start of the new year!
Keep in Mind:
The 2020 Florida Legislative Session will begin in January. We are already hearing that our local ordinances and our very ability to organize will be under attack, and there is still a lot that could come down the pipe. We are actively recruiting for the Working Families Lobby Corps, the program where unions send their members to Tallahassee for a week to make sure we hold our elected officials accountable. To sign-up, become a program sponsor, or get more information, please use THIS LINK or reach out to us directly!
PLEASE NOTE that all sign-ups are digital and that we are asking everyone to provide as much advance notice and detail as possible so we can adequately plan our efforts and food for attendees.
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!