Jacksonville Workers Celebrate Winning Back Their Union After Decertification

Jacksonville Workers Triumph in Reclaiming Union Rights

In a significant victory for labor rights, AFSCME Local 1279 members in Jacksonville, Florida, have successfully regained their union status after a two-year struggle. This triumph comes after the state decertified their union, a move that prompted a determined response from the workers.

In 2023, the political landscape in Florida shifted as Governor Ron DeSantis pushed through legislation that posed challenges for unions. The new laws, which included prohibiting dues deduction and setting a 60% membership requirement, were enacted just before Local 1279's annual recertification, creating a difficult situation for the union members. Learn more about the legislation here.

"This was a massively disruptive piece of legislation that changed so much but, in our case, we had basically no time to prepare for it," explained Arthur Finley, a Jacksonville Public Library employee and president of Local 1279. With the support of the council and other AFSCME locals, the group quickly mobilized to regain their union certification.

After a two-year effort, the union members voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new contract, with a 98% approval rate. This success was the result of diligent work, including re-signing members on new cards, establishing a fresh dues payment system, and engaging in numerous workplace events and meetings.

Galen Gingery, vice president of Local 1279 and a security officer with the Duval Sheriff's Office, noted, "We have talked to every single worker in the bargaining unit at some point during this process." This commitment ensured strong support from co-workers by the time negotiations occurred.

The newly ratified three-year contract boasts significant benefits, including a 10% wage increase, guaranteed weekends off, and expanded personal leave. These achievements have also sparked a resurgence in membership as workers recognize the benefits of union representation.

Reflecting on the journey, Finley stated, "When we didn’t have a contract to point to, it was of course hard to convince people to keep paying dues or to get new employees to sign up. But plenty of members knew we had to keep fighting and that gave us the resources to make this new contract happen." The union's recent victories have bolstered confidence among Jacksonville's workforce, paving the way for a promising future.