Labor Day 2014 Op-Ed by Mike Williams President Florida AFL-CIO

Labor Day 2014 Op-Ed

Mike Williams, President, Florida AFL-CIO

Labor Day is the day when we take a moment to celebrate the achievements of America’s workers. There is much to celebrate. We worked hard and pulled together to increase productivity and profits. We built a wave of economic prosperity that, by the numbers, shows us propelling out of the Great Recession. Unfortunately, this rising tide did not float all boats. Workers across Florida continue to struggle to support their families. Wages have not kept pace with the cost of living, all while big corporations, CEO’s and their shareholders enjoy record profits. The harsh reality remains that hardworking Floridians continue to struggle to put food on the table and gas in the tank. Despite our hard work, our sacrifice and our innovation, too many of us are not reaping the fruits of our labor.

Increased productivity has not led to higher relative compensation. Prices for food, gas, utilities, housing, and other consumer goods have continued to rise. Wages have either gone down and stayed down or remained stagnant. Workers have fewer and yet more expensive benefits. This is no accident. It’s the result of corporate policies designed to increase profits by limiting the costs of labor. It comes in many forms including outsourcing, sending jobs and profits overseas, increasing the ratio of part-time to full-time employees, shifting healthcare costs to employees, ending defined benefit pension plans, reducing employer contributions to defined contribution plans, classifying employees as independent contractors and a slew of other special interest policies all leading to the continued economic marginalization of working families.

Consider the fact that over the past thirty years the average earnings of Florida’s wealthiest 1 percent rose by 116 percent, while the wages for the rest of Florida’s 99 percent of workers dropped by 8. The extremely rich continue to get richer, while the rest of us continue to struggle. The rise in political and corporate attacks on working people has meant that for decades wages have declined or remained flat. The drop in labor union participation over the years has contributed to falling labor standards in Florida and across the country. Good jobs with good benefits have become harder to come by.  

It’s not too late to counteract widening income inequality, reverse diminishing economic opportunity and make Florida’s economy work for all of us, not just the wealthy. We need to insist that politicians stop creating policies that benefit their corporate cronies, and instead enact policies to ease the burden on working families. We need policies that make sure people are paid enough to support their families. We need leaders who support increasing investments in research, education and infrastructure that create good jobs, funded by closing tax loopholes for big corporations.

Working people can no longer afford to be victimized by out of touch politicians. We need an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and big businesses. Workers need a strong voice in their work place and even stronger voices in the halls of the Capitol. This Labor Day let’s celebrate worker achievements, reflect on the struggles ahead and demand change at the ballot box this November.  

Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Minority Outreach Solutions.

Letter To The Editor (Unpublished) - ROPA Seeks To Curb Governmental Oversight

Unpublished Letter To The Editor

Congressman Steve Southerland's proposal to enact a law to curb government "overreach' is exactly the reason why we need federal government oversight of the United States. To be honest without the candy coated rhetoric, Southerland is part of the klan who seek to limit government oversight, especially the EPA, so he and his cronies have free reign to exploit the seas and land and irresponsibly strip them of our shared resources for a quick buck regardless of the circumstances left behind. When federal protections are stripped away, we see across the states an attack on  voter rights, women's choices, labor bargaining power, and environmental protections, all for the interest of the American Legislative Exchange Counsel, who train and reward these corrupt politicians for the benefit of corporate power. Without government oversight, we the people will be manipulated, suppressed, discriminated against, and robbed of our rights, freedoms, and fair pay.

With examples like these around the nation, do not be mislead with their rhetoric and think they can do a better job. Evidence is overwhelming that Southerland, with his government shutdown, cannot be trusted.

Herb Shelton

2115 Longview Dr

Tallahassee, Fl 32303

850-491-8577

Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Minority Outreach Solutions.

Restorative Justice in the community

“Restorative Justice is a way to do justice that actively includes the people impacted by crime---victims, offenders, their families and communities. Its goal is to respect and restore each as individuals, repair broken relationships and contribute to the common good.” Barb Toews, author, educator.

Achieve Higher Ground is a restorative justice service provider that provides support services for crime survivors and victim impact programs for prisoners. And support groups for victims and groups for families of offenders.

                    Vision

Communities that engage practices in the aftermath of crime that empower survivors to transform their hurt into strength and that holds offenders accountable for their choices while creating space for everyone to heal.

                    Mission

To create a safe space where people who’ve endured trauma can heal.

We’ve talked a lot about crime and violence in our community in recent weeks.

It appears to me we’ve done very little talking with each other, more, perhaps talking at each other.

I have a radical notion! Let’s try and do that. Make plans to spend time with folks who don’t look like you. Maybe don’t speak the same language. Not to be helpful or provide services, nor to seek services. Just to spend time and learn from each other.

    I hope and expect you might enjoy it. As long as we isolate ourselves in our own silos or tribes it becomes easier to consider other folk as “other” and not understand them and become apprehensive

    There are many opportunities in Tallahassee to step out of our comfort zones. We have universities and a community college. Often events are available to the public. Hang out with young people in sandwich shops near campus. Spoken word poetry has a large following coffee shops have literary nights or music. For those over 50 The Osher Lifelong Learning Center at FSU offers many opportunities to spend time with folks from varying social circles. The Tallahassee Democrat Limelight every Friday lists activities around town. Visit a church from a faith community different from yours. All of the schools have magnificent theatre departments Attend the theatre. Talk about the performance in the lobby with new friends.

I make these suggestions not only to the majority community, but also to the various racial, ethnic, spiritual and sexual minorities in town.

None of these suggestions will bring about a rapid dramatic change. It just might begin a change in perspective. Tallahassee has begun to MOVE. Transformation can happen. It begins with one step.

Restorative justice is as much a lifestyle choice as eating local, recycling, living green and moving. It is a community centered approach to justice that focuses on healing the broken relationships of which crime is a symptom.

Certainly crime must be addressed and with appropriate consequences. Mandatory minimum sentencing makes sentencing arbitrary and often not related to the harm.

Civil citations are step in the right direction. Jailing people for unpaid fines that they are incapable of paying is counterproductive. Community service is feel good possibility. If possible the service could be related to the harm done by the infraction, rather than just something to fill the prescribed hours.

Issues related to reentry from prison are also a part of our community. 85-90% of persons incarcerated return home. Is the community or their families prepared for them? Are they prepared to become productive members of our Tallahassee family?

There are barriers for each of us to step out of our comfort zones. We can tear down these walls.

Step out!

By Agnes Fury Director of Achieve Higher Ground 

Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Minority Outreach Solutions.

The Tallahassee Barristers stand behind Judge Judith Hawkins

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Because of her demonstrated commitment to the citizens of Leon County as well as her judicial competence, The Tallahassee Barristers Association fully supports and stands behind Judge Judith Hawkins in her efforts to remain on the Bench.

We recognize that as a judge, she is held to a higher standard than other citizens, but we also recognize that she has admitted to her mistakes and has requested a second chance.  After concluding their investigation and conducting a trial, the Judicial Qualifications Committee (JQC) recommended the following: (1) a public reprimand (2) a three month suspension without pay; and (3) a $17,000 fine.  At no point did the JQC recommend that Judge Hawkins should be removed from the bench.  In fact, the JQC, in its findings, conclusion and recommendations, stated:

since 1996, she has been efficient and innovative in dispensing justice, and is generally regarded as friendly and caring.  Judge Hawkins’ actions in creating ABC, and paying her judicial assistant’s retirement benefits, were well-intended.  She reaped no personal financial benefit.  Her actions solely stemmed from a desire to perform charitable works designed to better the community.

The threat to remove Judge Hawkins from office is very troubling. The harm of her removal is far outweighed by any possible benefit of the same. To remove Judge Hawkins from the bench only perpetuates the existing need to have our judicial system resemble the community it serves. Diversity on the bench is essential for the proper functioning of any judicial system. We as citizens should take comfort in knowing that the Judge behind that bench cares for those in front of her, that she brings into the courtroom a diverse and unique perspective, that she will be fair and impartial, yet compassionate to those before her. For those that have personally appeared before Judge Hawkins recognize that she is a teaching judge; she wants to ensure that both attorneys and litigants that step foot into her courtroom understand the law and the consequences of failing to adhere to the law. Judge Hawkins is known as the judge of second chances.

In her response to the Supreme Court’s Order to Show Cause, Judge Hawkins asked for a second chance, a second chance that she has provided to so many litigants, citizens, and attorneys that appear before her. We ask that the Florida Supreme Court give her that chance.  To deprive her of a second chance deprives those citizens who elected and reelected her that same benefit.

The Tallahassee Barristers remain steadfast in our commitment to maintain the honor and dignity of the legal profession, to practice and promote improvements to the law and the legal professions, and amongst other things, to enhance the role of Black practitioners of the law. In our view, Judge Hawkins has demonstrated this throughout her career, a career dedicated to public service.

In that vein, The Tallahassee Barristers stands in support of her and believes that there should be no enhancement of the JQC’s initial recommendation for 90 day suspension and a fine of $17,000.00.  Any further action, such as removal, is unnecessarily

 

 

  Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Minority Outreach Solutions.