Jacksonville Employee Free Choice Act Town Hall

Last Thursday, about 70 workers and members of the community came together for a Town Hall Meeting in Jacksonville about the Employee Free Choice Act. Union members from AFSCME, APWU, CWA, DTU, IAM, IBEW, ILA, UAW and UFF joined the Florida Democratic Party, ACLU, NAACP and other community groups to discuss the bill, and, more broadly, how to build an economy that works for everyone. Starting off the night was a captivating speech by State Senator Tony Hill, who represents the people of Jacksonville in the state legislature. As a former union organizer, Hill explained that he knew firsthand the laws that are stacked against workers who try to form unions. Additionally he called on those in the audience to act in support of the Employee Free Choice Act. “I want to make sure that we pass the Employee Free Choice Act,” said Senator Hill. “We’re going to have to fight.” In addition to Senator Hill, representatives from Florida National Organization for Women, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans and the NAACP spoke in support of the bill. “It doesn’t make sense for a CEO to make $20 million dollars and then want to get rid of their union,” said Isaiah Rumlin, President of the Jacksonville NAACP. “And that’s the reason why the NAACP has gone on record to support the Employee Free Choice Act.” The event in Jacksonville concluded with a strong call to action. Specifically, the Coalition for a Union-Free Work Environment (CUE) is holding a conference in the same city this Sunday to promote their anti-worker agenda and encourage opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act. In response, hundreds of outraged workers and community members will be protesting at the conference.