In order to facilitate Organized Labor as a cohesive, unified voice in Tampa Bay, dates for the 2010 political screenings/endorsements are noted below.  Please mark your calendars NOW to ensure your participation and no scheduling conflicts:

            Saturday, February 27, 2010              Screening for Congressional 12                                                                      UFCW 1625 (Lakeland)

            Tuesday, March 2, 2010                     Council approval of screening recommendations from February 27^th *

Saturday, April 3, 2010                       Screenings for Congressional 5, 9 & 13

            Tuesday, April 6, 2010                        Council approval of screening recommendations from April 3^rd  *

            Saturday, May 1, 2010                        Screenings for Florida House & Senate

            Tuesday, May 4, 2010                         Council approval of screening recommendations from May 1^st *

* Recommended endorsements to be considered and acted upon by the Florida AFL-CIO

            May 21-23, 2010                                 Florida AFL-CIO COPE Endorsing Convention                                                 Crowne Plaza, Jacksonville

            Saturday, June 5, 2010                        Screenings for local, municipal elections

            Tuesday, June 8, 2010                         Council approval of screening recommendations from June 5^th

            Saturday, June 26, 2010                      COPE Dinner/Dance                                                                                       Crowne Plaza, Sabal Park

Screenings will be held specific to the legislative area and locations will be announced as soon as confirmed.  As always, our screenings are open to all union members and we encourage active participation on the part of all unions.

Providing this opportunity means that we can all work together to not only choose the best candidate to represent working families but also be unified in our financial support of endorsed candidates.  It is customary for candidate contributions to be distributed at our June 26^thDinner/Dance (still timely for the candidate to have a good showing on their 2^ndquarter fundraising reports) when the presence of many unions and their contributions showcase the power, strength and value of a labor endorsement.

Please join us in solidarity as we work to elect the best candidates to represent us locally, in Tallahassee and in Washington!

Cheryl Schroeder, Executive Director

West Central Florida Federation of Labor

(813) 740-2233 - Phone

(813) 368-7124 - Cell

www.wcffofl.com

Dear Neighbor,  

Once again the Florida Legislature will debate on whether or not to allow oil drilling 3-10 miles off the Florida coast. I would like to give you some information to think about with regard to offshore drilling, and why I am opposing it at this time.  

My first concern is the potential environmental impact. According to the Office of Response and Restoration under NOAA, the Gulf of Mexico has the most oil spills in the world. In fact, we have more spills in our Gulf, than the #2 and #3 sites combined (Northeast US and the Mediterranean Sea).  

Environmentally, even a minor oil spill would be devastating to our pristine coastline and wildlife preserves, refuge to numerous endangered species. An oil spill would also be devastating to our economy, both locally and state-wide. In 2009, an oil spill near Port Arthur, Texas caused the shorelines to be closed for more than 5 days. Here in Pinellas County, shutting down our beaches could result in a $10M loss to local businesses. Stretched out over 5 days, this could amount to almost $50 million dollars in revenue lost. We simply cannot afford to risk harming our shores, environmentally or economically.  

Those who favor oil drilling, claim it will bring jobs to Florida. But there is no guarantee that Floridians will be obtaining these jobs, or even what kind of economic boost these jobs will provide. This is not a good tradeoff for the jobs that could potentially be lost if a spill were to occur, not to mention the jobs potentially lost should our horizons become filled with oil rigs.  

Florida, and Pinellas County specifically, relies on the dollars that our beautiful beaches and wildlife bring in. It is time we stop gambling with our shorelines. 

Charlie Justice  

** Charlie Justice is currently a State Senator, representing District 16.  Charlie is a candidate for the US Congress in the 10th Congressional District.  Fpr more information on Charlie, visit www.charliejustice.com. ***

A screening of candidates interested in endorsement by the AFL-CIO for Congressional 12 (Polk & Hillsborough Counties) will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at UFCW 1625 located at 705 E. Orange St., Lakeland, FL 33801 beginning at 8:30 AM.

This is the seat being vacated by Rep. Adam Putnam.  As an open seat, it is drawing a large contingent of candidates; currently, there are nine (9) candidates in the race: four Republicans, three Democrats, one Libertarian and one candidate with no party affiliation.

The screening is open to all interested union members; however, please RSVP so that the CLC can ensure all unions will have a representative present to vote on any recommendation for endorsement.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Jason Smith (jsmithibew824 [dot] org) or contact the CLC.

This is a web link to the Florida AFL-CIO political page that shows
Legislative updates.

http://www.flaflcio.org/main/page/tlu

IBEW 824 Members may wish to periodically check in and see what
legislative issues are being worked on. We should remind folks that the
Florida Legislative session runs from March to May.

Labor Unions from around the state send their union members to Tallahassee
to share our points of view with them in their offices in the state
Capital while they are all working on legislation.

In Solidarity
Jason Smith

Kennedy Graham Dinner
"A Blue Star Gala"
Saturday, February 13, 2010

HDP Dinner w/ Alex Sink, Sam Gibbons, Bill Nelson - Feb.13 - Reserve now!!!!

Where can you meet Sen. Bill Nelson, CFO Alex Sink and former Rep. Sam Gibbons, both Democratic candidates for Attorney General, Scott Maddox, candidate for Agriculture Commissioner and a host of other elected officials and candidates? At the Hillsborough County Democratic Party's Kennedy-Graham dinner of course!

Details:
When: February 13, 2010 6pm Cocktails – 7pm Dinner
Where: Doubletree Hotel – Tampa Westshore
Price: $75 per person (Table of 10 for $70 per person)

It will be a fabulous night!

To purchase your tickets click here!

The program for the evening is an inspiring mix of speakers including Senator Bill Nelson, Florida CFO & Gubernatorial Candidate Alex Sink and former Representative Sam Gibbons with introductions by Betty Castor and Karen Thurman. Both candidates for Attorney General, Dave Aronberg and Dan Gelber will be there as well as Kevin Burns, Senatorial candidate and Scott Maddox, candidate for Agriculture Commissioner. The late Phyllis Busansky, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections and former County Commissioner, will be recognized with a tribute for her dedication to the people of Florida.

For more information contact Lisa Montelione at 813-695-5030 or 'HillsboroughDPgmail [dot] com'); return false;" target="_blank">HillsboroughDPgmail [dot] com

West Central Florida Federation of Labor
AFL-CIO Central Labor Council
POKER RUN

Starting Point:  Ironworkers, Local 397 10201 US Hwy. 92 East Tampa, FL 33610
Time:  9:30—11:00 AM—registration 10:00 AM—first vehicle out 11:00 AM— last vehicle out 4:00 PM — first vehicle in 5:00 PM—last vehicle in!!
Ending Point:  IBEW 915 5621 Harney Rd. Tampa, FL 33610
Cost:  $15.00 for 1st hand/$5.00 each additional hand (includes dinner)
Saturday, March 20, 2010

Join us for a relaxing day of meeting new friends, cruising back roads, stopping at watering holes, and a feast at the end—all with the chance to be a winner!
For more information, contact Randall King @ 813-621-6451 or Cheryl Schroeder @ 813-740-2233

DOL Posts New COBRA Subsidy Information

The Labor Department Jan. 11 announced the posting of new information on its website concerning the premium subsidy program for continued health care benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. COBRA continuation assistance was extended with enactment of the 2010 Defense Appropriations Act signed into law Dec. 19, 2009. The program was created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to assist involuntarily terminated workers in securing health coverage under their former employers' plans. The department's Employee Benefits Security Administration oversees the program, under which eligible individuals pay 35 percent of their COBRA premiums. The remaining 65 percent is reimbursed to the coverage provider through a tax credit. The department posted an updated premium reduction fact sheet and frequently asked questions for employees on its web page at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html.