Labor Coalition Stops Anti-Union Bills in Florida Legislature

Despite Republican super-majorities in the Florida Legislature, a tireless coalition of workers helped keep two union-busting bills from being passed before lawmakers adjourned in the wee hours Saturday.

At the Florida statehouse, CWA Local 3179 President Steve Sarnoff testifies before the Senate Budget Committee about anti-union bills that ultimately failed in the 2011 Legislature.

"We have won round one officially," CWA Local 3179 President Steve Sarnoff said, referring to bills to stop automatic payroll deduction of public workers' union dues and to decertify bargaining units that fall below 50 percent active membership.

"The strength of our unity coalition, our mobilization to educate our members and our elected representatives, and the relationships we've built with worker-friendly Republicans paid off," Sarnoff said. "But we know we'll be fighting this battle again come January."

The victory stands out in a session that saw many bad bills passed, including drastic cuts in unemployment benefits, pension cuts and voter suppression measures. But the collective voice of police, firefighters, teachers, other public workers and private unions in the coalition was too much for lawmakers to ignore.

As a result, Senate leaders couldn't muster enough votes to bring the anti-union bills to the floor even though the GOP controls 70 percent of the seats.

Sarnoff, whose local represents municipal workers in Clearwater and four other cities, said the coalition will continue with weekly conference calls and other joint action.

"We're not going to let the coalition fall apart, that's for damn sure," he said. "We need to continue to build our power and redouble our efforts to educate our members and their families and all working people in Florida about what’s at stake."