A House panel began moving forward Thursday with a controversial proposal that would make changes for public-employee unions, including preventing workers from having dues deducted from their paychecks.
The Republican-controlled House Government Operations Subcommittee voted 10-7 along almost straight party lines to approve the measure, sponsored by Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, and Rep. Cord Byrd, R-Neptune Beach. Rep. Anthony Rodriguez, R-Miami, crossed party lines to oppose the bill. The proposal, in part, would bar payroll deductions for dues and require union members to pay dues directly to their unions.
That change and others in the bill would affect members of unions representing teachers and a variety of other government workers — but not unions representing law-enforcement officers, correctional officers, correctional probation officers and firefighters. “At the heart of this is the constitutional right of employees,” Plakon said. “So in essence, this empowers employees to have the best information and have the most choices and to do so in a freewill environment.”
But dozens of union members turned out to fight the proposal, which some critics said was politically motivated because many unions support Democrats. “It’s a union-busting bill,” Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, said.
–News Service of Florida
Deborah Coffey says
My God! The daily and widespread destruction of this administration is breathtaking.
Bartholomew says
Political parties are unions and those who contribute their money are paying their dues. You can do anything you want apparently when you join the political union and get elected, right Matt Gaetz?
I wish people would remember that politics is all theater, it’s a show and we are paying these politicians to play games to manipulate us and try to make us submit ourselves to their cause.
Flatsflyer says
DeSantis and the rest of the Republican crooks all need to be hung by their balls for destroying the basic tenants of government in Florida. Can’t wait for them kick the chair out from each other’s as they stand on the gallows.
Roy Longo says
This is a criminal. Union’s are already weak because of politics. And now they want to break them wide open. I agree there are bad unions but the vast majority are just a thin layer of protection for rank and file employees. This is what happens when union members vote against their own best interest.
Roy Longo
Past Vice President
Flagler County Professional Firefighters Local 4337
Timothy Patrick Welch says
Wonder why the double standard?
Looks like this change only affects some unions.
If someone knows more detail kindly reply.