USF Workers Re-Unionize: Solidarity Request Wednesday, Labor Press Conference on AI Impacts
Here's what you need to know this week:
Decertified and Privatized Workers at USF Re-Unionize with 32BJ SEIU, Bargaining Action Wednesday 4/29!
As previously reported, the blue-collar bargaining unit at USF was a toll of 2023's union-busting SB 256. After the state decertified the union, USF privatized the jobs, contracting the work out to Compass Group/SSC. After about of year working non-union, workers successfully unionized with 32BJ SEIU, the largest property service workers union in the country with over 185,000 members.
In bargaining, workers have already won job protections and non-economic terms. However as bargaining has shifted to economics, management is not taking the union's demands seriously: paltry proposals for wage increases that do not keep up with inflation and proposing takeaways to paid-time-off, vacation, and university benefits. In order to get management back to the table, the workers are calling on university community and labor allies to rally and show support for these workers demands. Sign their petition, and see the flyer below for details on the action.
Sen. Sanders, Union Leaders on Artificial Intelligence's Potential Impact for the Workforce and Public Education
Do you think Artificial Intelligence needs to be regulated? Sen Bernie Sanders and six union leaders spoke about the dangers of unregulated AI. AFT's Randi Weingarten said Congress and states need to determine regulations, not five "gazillionaires." NEA's Becky Pringle said that AI can help but it cannot replace educators' professional expertise and care for the lives and mental health of their students.
AFL-CIO's Liz Shuler asks Congress if they will stand with workers or with high tech bosses. Which side are you on?! UAW's Shawn Fein asked how much value our labor produces, and who benefits from that? NNU, Nation Nurses' Jamie Brown said AI cannot replace doctors' diagnosis or nurses' care for patients. Flight Attendants' Sara Nelson said that air travel is safe because of regulations, so why not AI?
You can view the full press conference here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdJfeSMB99g
Thanks to Barb Toepke for contributing this article to the Labor Report. We always welcome submissions!
Here's What's Coming Up:
TONIGHT 4/23: Without Shade, Without Rest screening hosted by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers
Without Shade, Without Rest tells the powerful story of two Florida-based organizations, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and WeCount!, and their worker-led campaigns for heat protections. After the film, we'll be hosting a brief Q&A with representatives from CIW, the Fair Food Standards Council, WeCount!, and Six Eye Films. The event is free and open to the public! Click the flyer below to RSVP.
4/29: Central Florida Jobs with Justice Hillsborough Regional Meeting
Join fellow union leaders and community allies for a collaborative meeting to learn about the work going on in Hillsborough County. Please email Brittany (brittany@cfjwj.org) to RSVP.
5/2: WCFLC Screening for Candidates for Local Office
On Saturday, May 2, WCFLC will interview candidates in select Hillsborough and Pinellas County Commission races as well as St. Petersburg City Council. All members of affiliated local unions are welcome to attend. If you did not receive this email notice Monday, please contact Field Rep Alec Wilcosky at awilcosky@flaflcio.org, and we will send you the RSVP.
5/2: International Workers Day Rally & March by West Central Florida Future Labor Leaders
For the second year, FFLL will be leading the CLC's celebration of May Day. Click the flyer below to RSVP.
5/9: Letter Carriers' Food Drive
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
In Solidarity,
West Central Florida Labor Council