Florida AFL–CIO

Florida AFL–CIO is a statewide federation of labor unions in the state of Florida affiliated with the AFL–CIO. The federation's membership consists of about 450 local unions from 41 international unions (or about 500,000 active and retired workers).[1] The headquarters of the organization are located in Tallahassee, Florida.

Florida AFL–CIO
Founded1958 (1958)
HeadquartersTallahassee, Florida
Location
Members
500,000
Key people
Mike Williams, president (2022)
AffiliationsAFL–CIO
Websitewww.flaflcio.org

The Florida AFL–CIO was formed in 1958 with the merger of the Florida State Federation of Labor and the Florida Congress of Industrial Organizations.

The federation is involved in legislative and political activities, labor movement advocacy, research, as well as member mobilization and education. In 2005, following the disaffiliation of certain unions to the Change to Win Federation (CTW), the Florida AFL–CIO established the United Labor Lobby. This initiative aimed to foster collaboration between AFL–CIO and CTW unions, enabling them to work jointly on legislative matters.

The Florida AFL–CIO publishes a bi-weekly newspaper, Solidarity in the Sunshine, as well as a blog, Fight for Florida[2]

The federation also hands out an A. Philip Randolph Award each year. Individuals are nominated by a committee of the Florida AFL–CIO, and the prize awarded at the annual Florida Labor Hall of Fame Gala each odd-numbered year. There may be none or several award recipients in a given year.

Structure

The Florida AFL–CIO is governed by its membership, meeting in convention every odd-numbered year. Members discuss, approve, and implement the policies of the federation, and elect its officers.

Every other convention, the convention elects two executive officers, a president and secretary-treasurer. At every convention, the members elect 42 vice presidents. There are 17 vice presidents nominated from each district of the Florida AFL–CIO, 16 vice presidents nominated by member unions of the federation, five at-large vice presidents, and 4 "constituency group" vice presidents.[3] Between conventions, the two executive officers and 42 board members constitute an executive board which implements the policies of the Florida AFL–CIO. In 2009, Florida AFL–CIO delegates elected Mike Williams, a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union #177, (I.B.E.W. L.U. #177 – Jacksonville, Florida), president. In 2013, Florida AFL–CIO delegates re-elected Mike Williams as president of the federation unanimously, and elected David Pittman as secretary-treasurer.

In even-numbered years, the Florida AFL–CIO hosts a Committee on Political Education (COPE) Convention to endorse candidates, recommend legislative and ballot initiatives, establish positions on legislation and ballot initiatives, and establish the organization's member political education and action efforts.

Local and regional affiliates

Central Labor Councils (CLCs) act as a regional representative for union individuals, union affiliates, and the State Federation. Seen as a go-between for specific interests such as representation and organization; Central Labor Councils arbitrate intermediary issues between members and affiliates, members and the State Federation, and affiliates and the State Federation. Their actions are no way intermediary, however. Often, CLC's are considered a review board of regional issues.[4]

The Florida AFL–CIO has ten regional and/or local central labor councils (CLCs):

Notes
  1. Florida AFL-CIO. "Who We Are". Florida AFL-CIO. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  2. "Fight For Florida main page". Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  3. The four constituency groups of the Florida AFL–CIO are the state chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute; the Florida statewide chapter of the Alliance For Retired Americans, the retiree organization sponsored by the national AFL–CIO; the state chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, and the state chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.
  4. See the Florida AFL–CIO Central Labor Council webpage Archived May 9, 2008, at the Wayback Machine for more information.

References
  • "AFL-CIO Holds Off Endorsing Chiles." St. Petersburg Times. August 9, 1994.
  • DeSimone, Jim. "Florida Union Chief Unseated." Orlando Sentinel. September 23, 1993.
  • "Florida Next 'Fair-Share' Battleground." United Press International. February 16, 2006.
  • Koff, Stephen. "State's Pro-Business Stand Rattles Labor." St. Petersburg Times. May 7, 1989.
  • Long, Phil and Reinhard, Beth. "Davis Courts Labor's Clout." Miami Herald. September 19, 2006.
  • March, William. "Florida Unions Map Campaign Plans." Tampa Tribune. January 14, 2000.
  • Marks, Marilyn. "AFL-CIO Pursues Young Members." St. Petersburg Times. March 9, 1987.
  • Robinson, Andrea. "Two Groups Give Voice to Working Class." Miami Herald. September 7, 1999.
  • Silva, Mark. "AFL-CIO Takes State to Court Over New Workers' Comp Law." Miami Herald. July 20, 1990.
  • Tamen, Joan Fleischer. "AFL-CIO Will Grow." Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. August 31, 1999.
  • Vasquez, Michael. "Report: Police Were Heavy-Handed." Miami Herald. May 5, 2006.


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