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Florida’s Public Services Workers

On Our Way to a Better Future

Member GallerySEIU Florida Public Services Union is the largest union of public employees in Florida — and as we grow, we will have a stronger voice to create a better future for ourselves, our families and our communities.

We’re ready to work with the families we serve, advocates, community leaders and elected officials to set higher standards for public services and to make our communities safe and healthy.  We’ll need and encourage the active participation of every worker as we move forward.

Breaking News - July 30th, 11:24 AM

Florida SEIU Members Work to Grow Our Union

That's the headline that SEIU members around North America just read at seiu.org about our local union's campaign to help Tallahassee's blue collar workers gain an SEIU voice at work.  Below is the full blog and photo of City of St. Pete's Robin Turner and Pinellas Schools' Tia Blunt.  As the blog ends, "Stay tuned."

Robin and Tia in Tallahassee

Knocking on doors, making phone calls and filing a petition with city workers in the capitol of Florida -- Florida Public Services Union (FPSU) members are working hard to grow their union!

FPSU members from across Florida led a wildly successful blitz in Talahassee, which was also supported by other South/Southwest locals: Local 5 Texas, Local 21 LA and HOPE.  Yesterday, FPSU filed for a union election among City of Tallahassee blue collar workers.  FPSU VP for Organizing, Robin Turner said, "FPSU members are excited about helping our brothers and sisters in Tallahassee unite in SEIU.  The victories we've had are just the start of something special in Tallahassee.  Stay tuned!"

 
Our Member Political Organizer Conference a Smashing Success

MPO graduates
FPSU members join members of other Florida local unions and prepare to receive their diplomas from SEIU's leadership acadamy

Eight FPSU members graduated from SEIU's leadership academy at the statewide, Member Political Organizer (MPO) conference on July 24, 2010.  Over 450 SEIU members from across the state attended.

"We drove a lot of miles and dedicated several Saturdays to get these diplomas and I'm pretty proud," said Jacksonville Head Start member Felicia Flanders.  "I learned a lot I didn't know about SEIU and how important it is for us to be politically active.  Now I realize how much difference it makes who gets elected to all these offices.  Leaving politics and voting to other people is just giving our power away and working people can't afford that."

FPSU graduates
FPSU graduates hold their diplomas.  Front row (l to r and all Jacksonville Head Start activists) are Lynette Gibbs, Demetria Wilburn, Felicia Flanders, Cheryl Lewis-Hamilton, Robin Kirkpatrick and Barbara Ursry.  Back row are Theo Webster (City of Orlando) and John McGibbon (Lake County Schools).

Barbara Ursry asks a question 
Barbara Ursry asks Kendrick Meek, our endorsed candidate for U. S. Senate, a question.

MPOs with Meek
Members proudly stand with stalwart SEIU friend, Congressman Meek

Machado, Lopez and Carrillo at MPO
Palm Beach County Schools' Miguel Machado, Alex Lopez and Caesar Carrillo like what they hear.

Pinellas Schools members at MPO
Pinellas County Schools' leaders Isaac Cummings, Victor Williams, Lee and Dennis Davis

Miller and Knablein at MPO
Palm Beach County school bus drivers Margaret Miller and Sheron Knablein are all smiles during a break in the action.


It's That Political Time of Year - Activists Screen More Palm Beach County Candidates

Shaw and Dowling
Palm Beach County school board, district 2 candidate Jean Dowling answers a member's question as opponent Chuck Shaw awaits his turn.

Brandenburg, Pete
Florida House, district 89 candidate Pete Brandenburg introduces himself to our members

Palm Beach County member political activists were at it again on July 14th.  Members from Palm Beach County Schools and the cities of Boynton Beach and Riviera Beach screened candidates in the Palm Beach County school board, district 2 race as well as Florida House districts 89 and 90.
 
"I know we're supposedly in the lazy days of summer but I don't think our members get how important these candidate screenings are for us," said activist Bobby McGehe.  "There should have been three times this many members here tonight.  Given the threats to our budgets all across the state, we're going to need all the support we can get on our various school boards, city commissions and in the legislature."

Members are invited to return to the Palm Springs office at 6:00 PM on Thursday, July 22nd to interview House district 89 candidate Jeff Clemens.

Orange County MPOs Present Contribution Checks and Screen Florida House Candidates

Mayra and Tiffany checks
City of Orlando, Orange County Library System and Workers United activists stand with our endorsed candidates for Orange County Commission.  L to R are Theo Webster, Joe Schmerler (partly obstructed) and Susan Geller (all City of Orlando), district 4 endorsed candidate Mayra Uribe, John Henkle (Orange County Library System), district 6 endorsed candidate Tiffany Moore Russell, Luis Grajales (City of Orlando), Tracy Pevehouse and Kevin O'Day (both Workers United), Liza Jacobs and Joe Burlon (both City of Orlando).

Cruz and Perez
Florida House district 33 candidates Leo Cruz and Franklin Perez listen to members' questions.  Leo Cruz is an Iraqi War veteran, city planner at the City of Orlando and FPSU member.  He's the only SEIU member in Florida running for public office this year.

"It was a pleasure being screened by members of my own union," said Cruz.  "I have a young son and my wife's a working nurse.  We're a typical working family trying to make ends meet in this challenging economy.  I understand the issues and am eager to get to work in Tallahassee."

Lori Edwards
Screening committee members were impressed with district 12 Congressional candidate Lori Edwards.  Lori has been endorsed by several sister labor organizations and currently serves as Polk County supervisor of elections.

Palm Beach County Activists Present Campaign Contribution Checks to Our Endorsed School Board Candidates and Screen Florida House Candidates
Andrews, Brill, Brown contribution
Holding their campaign contribution checks are Palm Beach County school board candidates Jenny Brown (district 4), Karen Brill (district 3) and Marcia Andrews (district 6).  Presenting the checks are (l to r) Palm Tran's Nathaniel Evans, Mevys Pajan and Carry Alderman (both Palm Beach County Schools bus drivers).

See more photos, including endorsed candidate Dr. Debra Robinson (district 7) receiving her check and read about the screening under the School Employees/Palm Beach County Schools tab above.

Read our June Newsletter
Click 6-10 Newsletter - Spanish 6-10 Newsletter - Spanish and 6-10 Newsletter - English 6-10 Newsletter - English to read the latest FPSU news and learn how you can get involved as a COPE activist.  The document mentioned in the Head Start article is at Head Start Fact Sheet Head Start Fact Sheet.


Our Constitution and Bylaws Can Always Be Found Here at Constitution and Bylaws Constitution and Bylaws and Constitution and Bylaws - Spanish Constitution and Bylaws - Spanish

SEIU FPSU Election Committee

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Who We Are

SEIU Florida Public Services Union represents 19,000 workers in eight counties, 16 cities, three Head Start agencies and four school districts across Florida.

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