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Florida’s Public Services Workers

On Our Way to a Better Future

Member GallerySEIU Florida Public Services Union is the largest union of public employees in Florida — and as we grow, we will have a stronger voice to create a better future for ourselves, our families and our communities.

We’re ready to work with the families we serve, advocates, community leaders and elected officials to set higher standards for public services and to make our communities safe and healthy.  We’ll need and encourage the active participation of every worker as we move forward.

Breaking News - March 12th, 1:26 PM

See Palm Beach Schools Financial Scandal Info Under "Important News For Members" Link to the Right


Legislative Alert:

It's certain that bills that are bad news for public employees will be introduced during Tallahassee's current legislative session.  We're starting with a VERY bad bill though.

Republican Representative Ritch Workman (Brevard County's district 30) has introduced HB 1025 entitled, "Public Employee Group Health Insurance."  Its Senate companion (SB 1710) was introduced by Republican Senator Mike Fasano (Central Gulf Coast's district 11).

The bill's short description reads, "Provides for market determination of premium cost for health insurance for retirees; requires cost of continued participation by retirees in insurance plans to be paid by retiree; authorizes employers to segregate claims experience of retiree group from claims experience  of active employees; authorizes separate experience rating of retirees from active employees."

Translation -- If passed, effective July 1st, Florida's public employees (cities, counties, school systems, etc.) who have retired would be forced to pay 100% of the cost of their employer-provided health insurance premiums.  That means that despite a benefit that we've bargained for ourselves when we retire (our employer pays a portion or all of our health insurance premiums), that benefit would be made illegal and we'll be required to pay the full premium or drop the insurance!

It seems to count for nothing to Workman and Fasano that we may have worked for years (or decades) at a public sector job that pays less than one for similar work in the private sector, in order to have secure and dependable retirement benefits.

While the two identical bills work their way through the committee process, we need to begin making calls to both our representatives and senators.  It's important that we call BOTH.  Check http://flsenate.gov/Legislators/index.cfm?Mode=Find%20Your%20Legislators&Submenu=3&Tab=legislators&CFID=191570119&CFTOKEN=63774722 then enter the ZIP+4 for your home address.  If you don't know your ZIP+4, there's a link right there to find it.

Once you've gotten your particular representative's phone, call the office and tell them you're one of Florida's hard-working public employees, THAT YOU LIVE IN THEIR DISTRICT and that you strongly oppose HB 1025.

Once you've identified your particular senator, call and tell her/his office staff that you LIVE IN THE SENATOR'S DISTRICT and strongly oppose SB 1710.
 
It's important that we make these calls.  Our representatives and senators won't know there's opposition to this terrible bill unless we call and TELL THEM. 

Member Lobbying Program Logo

Our International Union is now accepting applications for member lobbyists for two upcoming terms in Washington, DC.

It's important to make sure that governmemt works for us -- creating and maintaining the programs and policies that improve the lives of workers and our families and create a more just and humane society.  SEIU members from across the country will be selected to participate in two upcoming terms in our nation's capital.

FPSU members are encouraged to apply for positions in this exciting program.  Please see Member Lobbying Program Info Letter Member Lobbying Program Info Letter for detailed information on the program.  An application is available at Member Lobbying Program Application Member Lobbying Program Application.  Please note that as the International Union will provide both lodging plus $120 per week for living expenses, FPSU will not provide a per diem payment in addition to those.  Please also note that the March 15th application deadline for the first program is right around the corner.  Also, see the first edition newsletter on the program at Member Lobbying Program Newsletter Member Lobbying Program Newsletter.

Interested in applying?  Please notify the FPSU organizer in your area.  Please note that a minimum, two-month time period away from one's job is required.


Carl McKoy Falls Short in Boynton Beach Mayor's Race

FPSU's members in the City of Boynton Beach hosted a screening for the nine candidates in that city's mayoral race last month.  Following a question and answer period and consultation, members felt that Carl McKoy was most in tune with our working family issues.  They voted to recommend his endorsement and forwarded that to SEIU's Florida State Council.

Boynton screeners
Boynton Beach members who screened mayoral candidates stand with provisional president Alphonso Mayfield.  They are (left to right), Mike Osborn, Don Roberts, Greg Russell, Vicki Lloyd, Alphonso, Archie Underwood and Stan Foster.

It wasn't to be though as McKoy finished fourth in a field of seven candidates.  "We worked hard for Commissioner McKoy and this one hurts," said Mike Osborn.  The city's residents missed an opportunity to elect a great mayor.  We'll regroup though and discuss our next steps.  As working people, we have to stay politically engaged."

Carl McKoy with members
Boynton Beach COPE activists Mike Osborn, Carol Mahoney, Elifaite Damus and Stan Foster stand with Carl McKoy (red tie) in the hopeful, early minutes of Tuesday night's vote count party

Alphonso Mayfield Our First Member-Elected President!

Alphonso

Votes were counted in our first officer and Executive Board Election on February 26th.  See the race-by-race results at Officer and E-Board Election Results Officer and E-Board Election Results

Liza Receives Ballots
Election Committee Chair Liza Jacobs receives the ballots from the secure area of the post office.


John Seibel
John Seibel (far right) is owner and president of TrueBallot, Inc.  He and assistant Nick conduct union elections across the country.  Seibel is seen here explaining how the votes will be counted.  Their experience and professionalism gave both our Election Committee and observers full confidence that the votes would be accurately counted.

Large group at vote count
A large group of members were present to witness the vote count.  This part of the observers were from Palm Beach County.

Members track vote count
Members tracked the vote count which was projected on the wall.

Election Winners were:

President - Alphonso Mayfield
VP for Member Strength - Sherrie Colgain (Hillsborough Community College)
VP for Finance - Richard "Mac" MacDonald (Pinellas County Schools)
VP for Operations - John McGibbon (Lake County Schools)
VP for Organizing - Robin Turner (City of St. Petersburg)
VP for Political Strength - Theo Webster (City of Orlando)

Executive Board:
Angela Aikens (Palm Beach County Schools)
Andre Allen (City of St. Petersburg)
Lee Davis (Pinellas County Schools)
Nathaniel "Bamm Bamm" Evans (Palm Tran)
Lovie Fulse (Palm Beach County Schools)
Sandy Gamble (Lake County Schools)
Lynette Gibbs (Jacksonville Head Start)
John Henkle (Orange County Library System)
Robin Kirkpatrick (Jacksonville Head Start)
Josh McDermott (City of West Palm Beach)
Gene Phillips (Lake County Schools)
Paul Rich (Palm Tran)
Sonya Roundtree (Pinellas County Schools)
Maurice Spence (City of Riviera Beach)
Ken Turley (Hillsborough Community College)
Vergia Virgil (Palm Beach County Schools)
Carry Walker (Palm Beach County Schools)

SEIU FPSU Election Committee

Important Information for Upcoming Votes

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Important News for Members

Member News from Around the State

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Who We Are

SEIU Florida Public Services Union represents 19,000 workers in eight counties, 16 cities, three Head Start agencies and four school districts across Florida.

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