IBEW Political Action Protects Florida Workers
February 13, 2006
When Florida workers join the IBEW, they not only get a voice on the job. They get a voice in Tallahassee, the state's capital.
IBEW's voice was heard in 2004 when voters went to the polls and supported a constitutional amendment to establish and increase the state's minimum wage. IBEW's full-time Florida political and legislative director, J.B. Clark, was part of the coalition that worked for the increase.
Clark, a journeyman wireman from Miami, Local 349, has been lobbying the legislature in Tallahassee since 1985. He says, "The minimum wage campaign energized young people. The victory helped all working families and showed what we can accomplish when we stick together."
Over 50 years ago, the IBEW's state political arm, the Florida Electrical Workers Association, recognized the need to monitor legislation that is being considered in Tallahassee. Our members and all working families can be hurt by bills which are supported by narrow business interests and put profits ahead of people's needs.
Among the bills that Clark and IBEW are monitoring this year are several dealing with the regulation of electrical utilities. The union's goal is to make certain that, if a bill passes in the legislature, it protects the jobs, safety and standard of living of workers in the utility industry.
When Governor Jeb Bush's administration dismantled the Florida Department of Labor, the Bureau of Apprenticeship Training within that agency could have been left in disarray. The IBEW and building trades unions successfully fought to maintain the quality and integrity of apprenticeship training by transferring the bureau to the Florida Department of Education.
Clark used his influence from 2000 until 2005 as one of five labor representatives on the state workforce development board to fight for more support for apprenticeships and worker training for Florida's youth and displaced workers.
In 2000, IBEW and other unions--on issue after issue--won a state uniform building code that was adopted by law, enforcing the provisions of the National Electrical Code. Now some business interests are trying to tamper with the regulations. The union is fighting to maintain high standards for workers and electrical consumers alike.
IBEW supported the FAIR campaign, a ballot measure to make sure that legislative and congressional redistricting does not further set back the ability of working families to elect representatives to public office who will stand by them. A non-partisan commission would be created to decide how districts are drawn under the provisions of a constitutional amendment that is assured of being on Florida's ballot in November 2006.
IBEW President Edwin D. Hill says, "When Florida workers join our union, they are joining a battle to make certain that the needs of working families are never forgotten in the halls of power at the local, state and federal levels."
