WFLA | By News Service of Florida | February 8, 2022
Amid opposition from teachers and other government workers, a House panel Tuesday approved a measure that would make a series of changes for public-employee unions, including preventing workers from having dues deducted from their paychecks.
The bill also includes changes such as requiring unions to petition for recertification if their membership drops below 50 percent of the eligible employees.
Numerous teachers and other union members urged lawmakers to reject the bill, saying it would not help teacher shortages and is unfair because it would exempt unions that represent law-enforcement officers and firefighters.
State Representative Daryl Campbell voted against the measure.
“While we are struggling to retain our workers here, we are yet giving them more responsibilities and we are taking away their rights.”
Bill sponsor Scott Plakon feels lawmakers often have treated first responders differently than other public-sector workers.
“The idea that we somehow treat people that run into fires and buildings differently than the rest of state employees is long established in Florida law.”
Business groups, including the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business, support the bill.
The measure needs approval from one more House committee before it could go to the full House.
A Senate version has not been heard in committees.
