Our union is under attack! Action needed!
The time to act and save our union against last-minute threats from legislators who want to silence us is NOW. We are asking you to do two things (details further below):
1. Join us. COME TO TALLAHASSEE TUESDAY! (or any day this week)
2. MAKE CALLS TO YOUR SENATOR NOW!
HB1197In addition to the dangerous political intrusion into academic freedom and college/university accreditation, HB 1197 is being fast tracked to the Senate Rules committee Tuesday for a floor vote this week (the last week of session). There has not been any public comment on this bill in the Senate, but it has already passed the House. We believe the Governor is pressuring Republicans to pass this for his national ambitions. Floridians do not want or need this law.
What is at stake?
HB 1197: “Employee Organizations” – House Bill 1197 is another in a long line of attacks on public employees’ rights to join or remain in their union. If passed this bill would ban public employees from having their dues automatically deducted from their paycheck, make the unionization process needlessly difficult in order to discourage workers from having a voice on the job, require 50% membership, and encourage anti-union messaging on membership forms. This bill attacks all teachers, school employees, professors, graduate assistants, adjuncts, nurses, city and county workers; all Florida public employees except for unions that represent police, fire and correctional officers. We must make our legislators hear us, see us, and make our voices heard – if we do not stand up to save our unions, who will? We will not allow the hard work we have done over decades to improve our working conditions and strengthen higher education in the state of Florida to go to waste. This bill is an existential threat to our union!!!!
TALKING POINTS:
· Nearly 1 million public employees are under attack by extremists in the Florida Legislature. In the middle of an economic and health crisis, Floridians will lose their voice and legal rights on the job.
· These bills are pushed by out-of-state corporations that don’t have the best interest of Floridians mind. Florida’s legislators should be focused on making our economy the strongest in the nation instead of carrying water for out-of-state interests or the Governor’s political ambitions.
· It’s time for legislators to listen to Floridians and give them the support they need instead of continuing to offer solutions to problems that simply don’t exist.
· The long-term impact of HB 1197 is to eliminate Floridians’ ability to provide for their families, to pay their rent, mortgage and medical bills. Nearly 1 million workers will lose rights they have had since 1974 and the protections and benefits they have secured including educators, nurses, line workers, electricians, bus drivers, city/county/state employees. The people who make Florida work are under attack.
· This bill gives more power to the rich and takes away the strongest organized voice for working people; making the rich, richer and the poor, poorer.
[If you are in Tallahassee already, or do not need hotel reservations, coordinate with Adela Ghadimi: [email protected]]
We need as many members as possible to join us in Tallahassee before the Senate Rules Committee meeting on Tuesday, and we believe the bill could be heard Wednesday or Thursday. We do not know the time it will be heard, as this late in the session we have little notice. The ramifications of this passing in the 11th hour of session, circumventing all normal rules, will be disastrous for our union and other unions across the state. If ever there was a time for you to come to Tallahassee, now is the time!
Travel Arrangements Policy:
If you are able to come, we will be coordinating your hotel reservation and will cover your travel costs and meals in accordance with our travel and reimbursement policy below. Sign up to join us:
https://forms.office.com/r/wz4gwJ9VWG. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
UFF Travel and Reimbursement Policy : Members shall be reimbursed for expenses for authorized union activities upon submission of a UFF-FEA expense form and appropriate receipts. Expenses of official guests at statewide UFF meetings and committees shall be paid only when they have been authorized in advance by the UFF President or Executive Director.
Expense/Travel Voucher : All Vouchers must be submitted within 30 days of the expense incurrence.
2. DIRECT CALL TO YOUR SENATOR NOW, GET COLLEAGUES AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO CALL
Florida’s public sector workers have answered the call for our communities throughout this pandemic, this effort to take away their rights is a slap in the face after all they have done for us.
Click here to call your Senator now.
UFF Staff are available to consult with you and help plan your action, but time is of the essence with Tuesday’s Rules Committee meeting right around the corner.
What will you do to save our higher education system and our unionized voice?!
