There’s a bill in the Florida legislature that would weaken and diminish the voices of certain unions, so local frontline workers are headed to Jackie Toledo’s Tampa office to say something about it.
On Friday at 5 p.m., the workers are headed to Toledo’s office located at 4520 W Kennedy Blvd. to voice their opposition to SB 1014 and HB 835, which would prevent unions from deducting dues from teachers’ paychecks and require teachers to reaffirm each year that they aren’t required to be union members.
Critics of SB 1014 and HB 835 argue that the bills target unions representing public service workers like nurses, bus drivers, food service workers, and municipal employees.
“[These workers] have been lauded as heroes during the COVID 19 pandemic for keeping us safe and our essential services intact during this unprecedented time,” a press release from American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) says. The release adds that SB 1014 and HB 835 make it harder for unions to have their collective voice heard. “Tallahassee law makers should be focused on providing vital COVID relief for hard working Floridians, not attacking public service workers freedom to negotiate.”
The proposed legislation is just one piece of anti-union legislation moving through the legislature. There are even proposals to make sure unions for firefighters and police officers are exempt from legislation that could weaken their ability to advocate for members.
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay reached out to a rep for Toledo’s office and will update this post with any new comments.
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