Rally Against SB 1296 in Tampa
Your WCFLC Labor Report is back! We apologize for the unannounced hiatus due to staff vacation and illness.
Here's what you need to know this week:
Rally TONIGHT in Tampa: Florida Senate Considering Bill to Strip Workers Rights
On Monday, March 2, the Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy will hear Senate Bill 1296. This is a blatant, unconstitutional attack on your rights and freedom under the Florida and US Constitutions that could make our communities and worksite less safe, make it harder for us to live and threaten our ability to fight for our salaries and healthcare.
SB 1296 is a follow-up to 2023's SB 256. SB 256 requires public sector unions to maintain 60% dues-paying membership of the workers it represents, while outlawing the decades-long practice of deducting dues from an employee's paycheck.
Despite that, many public sector unions have endured.
But it’s time to lift our voices- Florida workers are tired of doing more with less, tired of having our personal freedoms trampled on and tired of lawmakers not focusing in on the real solutions that we need!
Join us on Thursday to make our voice heard.
If you are able to travel to Tallahassee for Monday's Fiscal Policy committee between noon and 6pm, let us know by registering for Working Families Lobby Corps so we can make sure you get the most up-to-date information: tinyurl.com/WFLC2026
AFL-CIO State of the Union 2026
Below is a message from Team AFL-CIO:
Did you know that 60% of Americans are currently living paycheck to paycheck? For too many working families, the state of the union isn’t strong—it’s scary. Prices are not lower. Families are not safer. And we are not better off than we were a year ago. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler just recorded her response to President Trump’s State of the Union address. Knowing that 60% of our fellow workers are struggling from week to week, you can imagine what she has to say: |
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In the union, there is strength. And there is good news: If you are a worker in this country, you have immense power. Despite relentless attacks, nearly half a million workers unionized in 2025. We now have the highest number of workers covered under a union contract in this country in 16 years. We have power on the job—to organize with our co-workers, and stand up to the greed of our bosses and CEOs. And we will continue organizing and delivering good news and strength to working families in the face of attacks on our freedoms and livelihoods. We’re going to make this country better and fairer for all of us. In solidarity, Team AFL-CIO |
Nurses Protest ICE in Largo
Credit: Dave Decker/Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
Last week, members of National Nurses United joined their siblings nationwide this week in protesting ICE and advocating for Congress to stop funding ICE, as well as advocate for hospitals to better protect patients and their information from ICE
Per Creative Loafing in Tampa Bay
“A lot of hospitals … they’re either encouraging or just not creating policies to protect their patients that are in the hospitals.” Chief Nurse Representative, Keosha Morris told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
“We have HIPPA that protects patients from being known about their whereabouts and confidentiality, but it seems like all of that is going out of the window in certain areas just to aid ICE’s agenda to lock up people who are essentially seeking help or even are citizens just ’cause they look a certain way.”
Here's What's Coming Up:
Apply for WCFLC Scholarship for Labor Notes
The 2026 Labor Notes Conference will be held from June 12-14 in Rosemont, IL, outside Chicago. Read more about the conference here: https://labornotes.org/2026
WCFLC Executive Board has approved the sponsorship of one individual's hotel (3 nights), registration, and flight costs.
If you wish to apply for the WCFLC scholarship, go here: https://forms.gle/xQPJwFhCLxaW3Bfv8
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!