Fighting Florida's union-busting law, one strong contract at a time

[Omaha Steve]

https://www.afscme.org/blog/fighting-floridas-union-busting-law-one-strong-contract-at-a-time

MIAMI – AFSCME members who serve the City of Dania Beach in South Florida are heading into uncertain times on strong footing.

Just ask Willis Washington, president of Local 3535 (AFSCME Florida).

Washington and his fellow members ratified a new three-year contract earlier this month. It gives the workers a minimum 6% cost of living adjustment as well as annual pay raises of at least 4%. Also, the pay for the lowest and highest steps in each grade will rise by 20% to make up for a history of low wages.

Now for the uncertain part.

With this new contract, the 106-member-strong local has to abide by the mandates of SB256, an anti-union law rammed through the Florida Legislature by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023. The law requires at least 60% of a bargaining unit to be dues-paying union members to avoid recertification elections every year.

FULL story at link above.