Letter Carriers' Food Drive Saturday, Labor Rallies on May Day, SB 1296 Signed
Here's what you need to know this week:
Saturday, 5/9: Letter Carriers' Food Drive
Join the largest single-day food drive in the country, brought to you by the National Association of Letter Carriers. It's simple; place non-perishables in a plastic bag next to your mailbox, and your letter carrier will do the rest!
Labor Rallies on May Day, Governor Signs Law to Crush Public Sector Unions
While Ron DeSantis chose the day to sign the union-busting SB 1296, union members and community allies rallied and marched for International Worker's Day, or May Day.
The West Central chapter of Florida Future Labor Leaders organized a rally at Centennial Park in Ybor City. Speakers included FFLL President Tessa Barber, WCFLC President Stephanie Yocum, WCFLC Vice President Kim Smith, Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association President Lee Bryant, and maintenance workers at USF who are organizing with 32BJ SEIU for a first contract.
Photo Credit: Justine Kirby, Civic Witness
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An Ybor chicken joins the FFLL rally.
WCFLC Executive Board member Lynne Winderbaum marches on May Day in Albany, NY with AFT President Randi Weingarten
Karena Jimenez, NNU, speaks at a May Day event in St. Petersburg organized by Tampa Bay PSL
Here's What's Coming Up:
Save the Date: Upcoming Screenings for Political Office 5/30, 5/31, and 6/1
On Tuesday, WCFLC Board and delegates moved to screen candidates in a number of Congressional and Florida legislative races. The formal notice for these screenings will go out tomorrow, but save the date for now! All members of affiliated unions are welcome to attend.
Hillsborough Screening
- Saturday, May 30 at 9am
- Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association (3102 N Habana Ave, Tampa)
- Interviewing candidates from Congressional District 15, Florida House Districts 63, 64, and 67
Pinellas Screening
- Sunday, May 31 at 10am
- Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association (650 Seminole Blvd, Largo)
- Interview candidates from Congressional District 13, Florida Senate District 16, Florida House Districts 58, 61, and 62
Manatee Screening
- Monday, June 1 at 5pm
- Zoom
- Interview candidates from Congressional District 16
WCFLC Supports CBTU call upon the AFL-CIO to Organize a National Day of Solidarity
On Tuesday, WCFLC approved the following resolution in support of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists:
WHEREAS:
The labor movement is rooted in the fight for justice, dignity, and the collective rights of all working people, regardless of race, gender, immigration status, or background; and
WHEREAS:
The policies advanced by President Donald J. Trump – both during his first administration—and this current one – have undermined union rights, threatened immigrant communities, attacked democratic institutions, rolled back civil liberties, and prioritized corporate interests over workers’ well-being; and
WHEREAS:
These policies have contributed to growing inequality, racial and economic division, and have fueled a political climate hostile to the values of solidarity and democracy; and
WHEREAS:
Working people must unite to resist all forms of oppression and stand against attempts to divide us or strip away our hard-fought rights.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the West Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO stands in solidarity with the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists call upon the National AFL-CIO to organize a Union Day of Solidarity and Rally against Trump’s anti-worker, anti-Labor, anti-American values policies, with a public rally to bring together union members, allies, and community organizations to stand in defense of justice, equity, and democracy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That this solidarity day and rally serve as a powerful demonstration of our collective resistance to anti-worker and anti-democratic agendas, and a call to action for building a future rooted in solidarity, inclusion, and respect for all working people; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That West Central Florida Labor Council supports CBTU to continue to work with local and national partners to oppose policies that threaten our members and communities, and to build a movement where working-class power is united, organized, and unafraid.
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