Support Airline Workers, Create Jobs: Complete the FAA Bill

The Federal Aviation Administration has existed on eight short-term funding extensions since it first expired in September 2007. Meanwhile, the FAA needs updated safety, infrastructure and modernization programs, as well as protections for worker rights.

Please Don't Eat at Wendy's or Arby's

Wendy's is being unfair to the employees who bake the buns for its restuarants by refusing to negoiate a fair contract with these workers. The compnay eliminated negoiated health care and defined pension benefit plans, and imposed substandard health insurance and risky 401(k) plans as replacements.

We are asking the public to refrain from patronizing Wendy's and Arby's until this dispute is resolved in a fair manner.

The Bakery Workers Local 57 had a very positive relationship with Wendy's prior to its recent takeover by Arby's. Unfortunately, the new owners are motivated by greed and do not believe in fair treatment of the workers who bake the buns.

Thank you for your support on behalf of the working men and women at Wendy's/Arby's bakeries.

*We are not asking any employee to cease working at, or any supplier to cease providing goods or services to this location.

Bennett Sticks with Labor

Appointed Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) stood with organized labor Tuesday on a tough vote over the Obama administration's nominee for the National Labor Relations Board — a vote that could have significant repercussions for his election campaign.

Unlike Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) — the two precariously positioned Democrats who broke with the party on the vote — Bennet voted to approve Craig Becker, who Republicans assert is too supportive of union interests, including the controversial Employee Free Choice Act.

GOP Blocks Obama Nominee Craig Becker

(CBS/ AP) Senate Republicans have succeeded in blocking President Barack Obama's choice of a union lawyer for the National Labor Relations Board.

The 52-33 vote to move forward with the nomination of Craig Becker fell short of the 60 needed to overcome a GOP filibuster.

Republicans have held up Becker's confirmation for months. They say Becker would push an aggressive union agenda at the agency that referees labor disputes between unions and management.

Not Too Late for Flowers for Valentine's Day

Order online, send flowers for every occasion, and save.

Flowers make the perfect gift for birthdays, holidays, celebrations, anniversaries, get well, thank you, and tokens of sympathy. The Union Plus Flower Delivery Service offers a variety of flowers and plants at union member-only prices - a special 20% discount on flowers online or via phone.

Florida AFL-CIO Early Endorsed Candidates

The Florida AFL-CIO, as of January 10, 2010 has endorsed candidates as follows:

1 - Governor
1 - US Senate
5 - US House of Representatives
2 - Florida Senate
10 - Florida House of Representatives

The endorsed candidates that affect the members of LL731 are as follows:

Governor - Democratic Primary
The Honorable Alex Sink
P.O. Box 75590
Tampa, FL 33675

US Senate - Democratic Primary
The Honorable Kendrick Meek
111 NW 183rd St #325
Miami, FL 33169

Jobs for Main Street

The U.S. House has taken a good first step toward addressing the jobs crisis.
Now the Senate must act.

CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY AT 866-838-9757.
Tell them to pass the Jobs for Main Stree Act (H.R. 2847).

The bill invests $154 billion to:

• Extend liftime unemployment benefits, health care assistance and food aid to people who have lost jobs.


• Rebuild and repair crumbling schools, roads, low-income housing and clean water systems.


• Help state and local governments hire or save jobs for 150,000 teachers and 5,000 police officers.


• Get job-creating credit flowing to small businesses.


• Cut taxes for 16 million families with children.

We'll need much more to turn around the jobs crisis - but let's start with the Jobs for Main Street Act.

North Florida Central Labor Council February Business Meeting

The February Business meeting of the North Florida Central Labor Council was held on Wednesday, February 10.

Dustin Ponder, Florida AFL-CIO Zone 1 Coordinator, gave a presentation of the AFL-CIO's Jobs campaign for the National, State and Local levels.

The main discussion of the meeting was Jobs for Jacksonville and how to get the Jacksonville City Council to act to create the jobs needed.

LL731 February Business Meeting

The February Business meeting for LL731 was held on Tuesday, February 9 at the Union Hall. Sean Ryan, District 142 Assistant General Chairperson, Flytele/BA and Southwest Airlines was in attendance for the District 141 and 142 election nominations.

Names were placed in nomination for the June 2010 general election. Once all the nominees are decided at the locals, within Districts 141 and 142, the slate of candidates will be listed.

Reports by the President, Recording Secretary and the Financial Secretary were given as well as Committee reports and Chief Stewards reports.

LL731 will be entering the 2010 IAM Newsletter and Website contest, which will be held later in the year.

Lawmakers Gear up for Fundraising

Sen. Al Lawson, right, talks with former Rep. Curtis Richardson, left, of Tallahassee, who is running for the Senate; state Sen.Charlie Justice, second from left, of St. Petersburg; and lobbyist Patrick Bell, second from right, at a Florida Democratic Party fundraiser in Tallahassee. (Bill Cotterell/Democrat)

Lobbyists and legislators munched hors d'oeuvres and sipped scotch in a rooftop ballroom with a nice view of the Capitol last week in an annual ritual as important to Florida politics as mass mailings and attack ads.

Forbidden to raise money when the Legislature is in session, members are passing the hat now for a hot summer campaign season costing millions. For all the money that will be spent, Republican control of the House or Senate is unlikely to change.