skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, November 22, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump announces Pam Bondi of FL as new attorney general pick, hours after Matt Gaetz withdraws; House passes bill targeting nonprofits in NY and nation; NM researcher studies why pedestrian and bicyclist deaths are on the rise; Researchers link better outcomes to MN adoption reforms.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump has a new pick for Attorney General, his incoming "border czar" warns local Democratic officials not to impede mass deportation, and the House passes legislation that could target any nonprofit group accused of supporting terrorism.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The CDC has a new plan to improve the health of rural Americans, updated data could better prepare folks for flash floods like those that devastated Appalachia, and Native American Tribes could play a key role in the nation's energy future.

Conservative Union Members Oppose Bill Restricting Unions

play audio
Play

Thursday, January 25, 2018   

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida House is expected to vote Thursday on a proposal that would decertify a public union if its voluntary dues paying membership falls below 50 percent.

Republican Rep. Scott Plakon of Longwood has been trying for several years to pass a measure similar to House Bill 25 that opponents say would only lead to the weakening of labor unions.

Brodie Hughes, president of the International Union of Police Associations, says the bill should face bipartisan opposition because it disrupts workers' ability to provide a foundation for their families.

"I personally am a Republican and a union leader,” he states. “That's probably an oxymoron to many to say that but, you know, I think it's important that Republicans that are supporting this bill take a really hard look at this and realize that unions provide a voice for people. It provides job stability."

Plakon says his bill promotes transparency because rank-and-file workers are being represented without consent.

The bill is expected to pass the House again as it did in 2017, but its fate in the Senate, with three committees remaining is uncertain.

The bill also requires unions to report to the state annually how many employees are eligible for representation by the union and then how many of them do and don't pay annual dues.

Les Cantrell, national representative with the National Association of Government Employees, says employee classification changes could put the union in jeopardy of being decertified.

"Lets say all of my five correctional officers are dues-paying members, but we fall below 50 percent because of retirements or people leave or promote out, so they get decertified or these correctional officers get left out because they are stand alone, they are only five people," he states.

Fredrick English, a union leader with the SEIU Florida Public Services Union identifies as a Republican. He says there are a lot of misconceptions about labor unions.

"They may see it as something that is a liberal crutch and that is not the case,” he states. “I find it vitally important to have collective bargaining, and that’s what unions provide. Without it, there is no way that I would probably have a job right now if I didn't have it."

Plakon's bill exempts police, firefighter and correctional unions from the requirements, but members of those unions say they are also standing in opposition to the bill.





get more stories like this via email

more stories
The smoking rate among adults in Maryland is 9.6%, much lower than the national average of 12.9%. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

A new report on lung cancer by the American Lung Association showed Maryland has quite a bit of room to improve diagnoses and treatment but experts sa…


Social Issues

play sound

La Niña is bringing a cooler, wetter winter to Oregon and likely driving up heating bills as systems work harder. This is the third year of …

Environment

play sound

The number of pedestrians and bicyclists killed on roadways in the U.S. has nearly doubled in the past 12 years and a New Mexico researcher wants to …


Social Issues

play sound

This Saturday is National Adoption Day and the latest findings showed Minnesota has made progress in helping kids in the foster care system secure a b…

Health experts said young children often catch walking pneumonia at school and bring it home, spreading it to their families. (Adobe stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

By Kyla Russell for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service C…

Social Issues

play sound

A recent study from Florida Atlantic University highlights a concerning rise in alcohol-related deaths across the United States, with mortality rates …

Environment

play sound

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021