Today the hardworking men and women represented by AFSCME at New College of Florida voted 100% unanimously in favor of recertifying their union with a nearly 75% turnout.
The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is one of the crown jewels of Miami-Dade County, enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. But after decades of providing committed service to their neighbors, employees are facing an uncertain future now that the county is moving management to a non-profit trust.
With Florida’s 2017 legislative session passing the halfway mark, many critical issues facing AFSCME members remain in flux. While the attacks to retirement security, health care and even the very right to a democratic voiceon the job continue, the weeks of incredible outreach over the phones, in person and at events around the state by AFSCME members and allies have had a real impact.
Last year, the members of AFSCME Local 199 wanted to show that their commitment to a stronger Miami-Dade County didn’t stop when the work day ended. That is why they made giving back through community service and charitable contributions a topic of focus at every membership meeting.
It has taken us years to restore what we lost during the economic downturn and to then build on top of that for a stronger future.
One of the key pieces came in December when we turned out and ratified a tentative agreement with Miami-Dade County that guaranteed a 1% cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) in October of this year. If tax revenue estimates came in high enough that COLA increase stood to go up to 4%.
For almost two decades, Moby White has served his community as one of four crane operators with Miami-Dade County’s Public Works Department. From safely placing heavy equipment onto the tops of buildings to assisting fire and police personal as a first responder after a hurricane anywhere in the state, White never quits no matter where his job takes him.
Across the country, the protections that new hires can access from their union during their probationary period can be confusing. This too often allows anti-labor managers to tell new employees they shouldn’t, or even can’t, join the union or turn to them if something comes up.
