unions

A federal judge backed two public school unions in a legal battle over dues deductions. Educators say this is good news, but will continue watching for potential challenges to other parts of the sweeping union law.

Unionized security officers contracted in Miami-Dade and Broward counties rallied in Fort Lauderdale for a new contract with higher wages, paid holidays and better training.

The temporary end to the strike came after the union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies, reached a tentative agreement on wages, the union and ports said in a joint statement.

Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker last week issued an 80-page decision that largely sided with the state Public Employees Relations Commission, that enforced controversial restrictions like a ban on deducting union dues from workers’ paychecks.

Ever since the passage of a union law in 2023, tens of thousands of public employees have lost their bargaining rights.

A WLRN investigation begins to reveal the scope of SB 256, a sweeping anti-union labor law passed in 2023. What is emerging is an outright crisis for teachers and other public sector workers. “The work conditions of hundreds of thousands of people are going to be up in the air,” said one advocate.

United Teachers of Dade says that more than 30% of its members have formally signed statements affirming they want to keep their union — a key step required by the state agency that oversees Florida's public unions. Next, UTD members must vote to recertify the organization.

The Biden administration wants a federal judge to reject a lawsuit filed by Florida in a dispute about transit funding and a new state law that placed additional restrictions on public-employee unions.

Starbucks workers at more than 100 stores across the country are demanding the coffee company “respect their right to a union” to obtain better wages and working conditions.

Workers are demanding hourly wages be raised by their employer, LSG Sky Chefs, from $14 at the lowest end to at least $20 an hour.

The Florida Professional Firefighters union has joined the Florida Police Benevolent Association in challenging the way a state agency is carrying out a new law that placed additional restrictions on public-employee unions.

A circuit judge rejected a request from three South Florida municipal unions and three union members for a temporary injunction against a new state law preventing government employees from having union dues deducted from their paychecks.