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Prepare for Primaries: Get Registered and Protect our Elections!

Alec Wilcosky
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Here's what you need to know this week:
 

 

 


 

One Month 'til Primaries: Make Your Plan to Vote!

On August 18, Florida will have its primary elections. Even independents/NPAs will have important School Board and judicial races to vote in! There are also Universal Primary contests in some counties where all voters are eligible, regardless of party. See WCFLC's full list of endorsements here. See below for important dates and deadlines:

Deadline to Register or change party affiliation: July 20, 2026

Vote by Mail ballots will start being sent out this week or next. There is still time to request a vote by mail ballot! Go to your county's Supervisor of Elections website to make your request by Thursday, August 6 at 5pm.

Early Voting by County


 

With the Supreme Court's recent blow to the Voting Rights Act, it is more important than ever that every union member exercise their right to vote and help their family and friends to do the same. In that spirit, the AFL-CIO has released its P.O.W.E.R. Voter Registration and Protection Toolkit. The toolkit includes prompts to reach out to family and friends to ensure they are registered and links to sign up to be a poll worker, an election protection hotline (866)-OUR-VOTE, and other virtual trainings the AFL-CIO has coming up.


 

 

President Yocum at American Federation of Teachers Convention in Washington, D.C.

AFT has its Convention in Washington DC this week. Our President Stephanie Yocum is attending on behalf of her union Polk Education Association.

Below, she is pictured with AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.


 

You can view the AFT plenary speakers on CSPAN: https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/american-federation-of-teachers-convention/683002
 


 


 

Florida Union Busters Round-Up

Caring Class Revolt's "Busted: What Florida's union busters have been up to" released Part 1 of its July edition today. Per the article, Florida "(surprisingly or not) happens to be home to some of the most active union avoidance consultants in the country. Such consultants, described by critics as 'union busters,' are routinely hired by employers to convince workers not to form or join a union."

This month's edition highlights efforts from Florida-based union busters' efforts to disrupt organizing at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Great Wolf Lodge in Maryland, a senior living community in California, and more. You can subscribe to this Substack publication for free, which also includes monthly stories about new union organizing and public sector recertification elections in the state.


 

 

Here's What's Coming Up:
 

 


 

7/28: APWU Day of Action: Protect Our Public Post Office

Join Local 259 and APWU members across the country on July 28 at 9am in Carrollwood to rally to protect our post office!

The Post Office is the beating heart of communities across America. But from the threat of privatization, to mail slowdowns, a postal financial crunch, and the attack on vote-by-mail, our public Postal Service is under attack.

Join together with your neighbors and communities across the country on July 28 under the banner:

Protect Our Public Post Office

We demand that our elected leaders:

1. Secure the financial future of the Postal Service

2. Safeguard vote-by-mail

3. Postal leadership that represents Main Street America, not just Wall Street



 


 


 


 

 

7/28: 2026 Rep. Kathy Castor Social Security/Medicare Cupcake Party!

Who: Rep. Kathy Castor, APWU, FLARA, and seniors all over the county.

What: A party to celebrate another year of Social Security and Medicare,

and to take action to save these programs for our kids and grandkids.

When: Tuesday, July 28 at 10:00 am.

Where: Fair Oaks Park Community Center

3400 E Louisiana Ave

Tampa, FL 33610

 


 

Rep. Kathy Castor, center, with Dave Bernstein, left, and Don Barron, right, of APWU 259, Tampa Area Local.
 

Why celebrate? Kathy Castor has a 100% Voting Record on senior issues, as

demonstrated by her votes on the ten most important senior issue bills in the US

House each year. Go to retiredamericans.org and find the Congressional Voting

Record for every senator and representative in the state.


 

Many thanks to David Bernstein, Scott Turner, and APWU for contacting Rep.

Castor and for providing refreshments.

 

Medicare/Medicaid turns 61 on July 30! LBJ signed the law in 1965.

 

Social Security turns 91 on August 14! FDR signed the law in 1935.

Join us to celebrate Rep. Castor and many years of life-saving programs.


 


 

9/7: WCFLC Labor Day Picnics

Tampa

Union's may pre-purchase meal tickets for $15 members; contact Field Rep Alec Wilcosky by replying to this email for more info. Tickets will be available for purchase on site for $20 via credit, debit, or cash.

Lupton's will once again be catering the event: BBQ pork and chicken plus baked beans, coleslaw, mac 'n' cheese, and garlic bread. Drinks include lemonade, tea, and beer.

We will have face painting, inflatables, and a water slide for kids (bring towels!)

Finally, ahead of November's Midterm election, we will hear from our endorsed candidates for office. View a full endorsement list here


 

 


 

Sarasota

WCFLC's Coalition of Manasota Unions is organizing a celebration at Fogartyville. Expect comradery with fellow union members, a performance from union musicians, lunch, and hear updates from union members on their unions' wins.


 


 

Keep in mind:


 


 

AFL-CIO Virtual Trainings

As we get to work to elect champions for working families from the top to the bottom of the ballot, the AFL-CIO has online trainings available on a myriad of topics. Sign up for trainings here: https://www.mobilize.us/aflciotraining/

Upcoming trainings include:

  • AI: Election Protection and Deepfakes
  • Overview of AFL-CIO Code of Conduct and Anti-Discrimination Anti Harassment Policy Requirements
  • Know Your Rights: Constitutional Protections and Immigration Enforcement
  • Common Sense Economics and Artificial Intelligence
  • Frontline Solidarity: Immigration Tools for Organizers and Activists


 

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 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 by replying to this email!