Despite having Democratic opponents in a Hillary presidential year, 
the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Florida are endorsing two Republican incumbents in this year’s election: Sens. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla and Anitere Flores.
They’ve also endorsed Sen. Rene Garcia, but that’s different. Garcia has no opponent. Miguel DLP and Flores, however, are running in hotly contested districts against challengers supported by the Florida Democratic Party in a rush to win seats this year.
And the three GOP senators are the only Republicans AFSCME endorses in a sea of Democrats.
AFSCME is Florida’s fastest growing union, which is part of a 1.6 million member union that advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and prosperity and opportunity for all working families. 
And like most unions, it typically backs the blue ticket.
But they have broken from the trend for these three.
Why?
“Our wages, benefits, working conditions, health and safety, and even whether we have jobs at all, are in the hands of officials who influence our future,” said Willie Pouncy Jr., AFSCME Florida Region 3 PEOPLE Chair. “After reviewing where Senator Flores stands on the issues important to our state and to the members who live or work in her district, we believe she is the best choice in 2016 for our families, our communities and those we serve.”
And they are not alone. In the case of Flores, who helped kill a law that would have scrapped the county’s wage-theft protection program, she also has the endorsement of the Florida Professional Firefighters Association and every elected official in Homestead, all but one Democrats. Diaz de la Portilla regularly enjoys the support of police and firefighter unions.
“I have a proven track record of effectively fighting for working men and women in our community,” the eldest of the DLP brothers told Ladra.
Said Flores: “During my time in office, I have advocated for a stronger economy, raising incomes and more affordable healthcare benefits for hardworking families— matters important to all Floridians.”
So who is Andrew Korge, who is running against Flores, and State Rep. Jose Javier Rodriguez, who is running against DLP going to get?
Public employees labor union backs three GOP legislators added by Ladra on
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DLP has been a strong friend of labor. FLores so-so.
Jim Deland us crooked lobbyist Randy Hilliard who I refused to get involved with MY MONEY as capital so HE could buy a multi-unit building from a retiring fireman from in 1996. He’s been attacking me ever since but no one of any consequence pays attention. So he uses this fake name Jim Deland.
The government workers who make large salaries are not members of AFSCME. The rank and file general employees are. I worked for the county for 31½ yrs; retired 5½ yrs ago with a salary comparable to other full time clerical employees in the private sector with that much longevity. My benefits were a lot better, though. That had a lot to do with AFSCME’s wonderful work on our behalf.
and that is AFSCME’s fault? The most active organizing union right now is an out growth of the old needleworkers union, morphed into a Service workers union covering a long list of workers from doctors and nurses to janitors.. Nothing stops anyone from organizing and the AFL-CIO is always happy to help..
But happy workers never unionize.. Why should they pay dues, most of which are funneled to the national level and lefty politics?
The main reason unions are still active in the public sector? in two words, bad management.
Know-nothing politically appointed or “friends and family” managers are insulated from normal market forces that gets rid of bad managers who have no clue how to manage an experience and skilled work force.. It leaves frustrated labor no alternative but to unionize and push back..
as an example the BCC has a Living Wage ordinance which forces county vendors to pay their employees at least $14/hr.. Meanwhile the county still has hundreds of it’s own employees earning less than $12 hour, and part time with no benefits.. How would you like to be a county employees getting paid 15% less than the private sector full time guy next to you.. what’s more, the county is paying the vendor far more than the $14/ hr the vendor is paying his laborer so it’s clear the money is there it just the politician are pushing the vendors because the vendors fund the campaign
at that point who wouldn’t want to organize?
Thank you for keeping us informed.
Am I the only one who thinks the following?
1. Government workers are the least needy of Unions, and hurt taxpayers by enslaving the inferior taxpayer class to paying the salaries of the ROYAL government worker class?
2. Meanwhile, the workers who really need Union protection — e g Fed Ex workers, Walmart workers, among so many other powerless worker groups, have almost no Union protection whatsoever?
Am I wrong about this ???
Sincerely,
Jackson Rip Holmes
The Andrew Korge candidacy is a joke! Besides his Father’s money it simply wont exist. It is not like the son or daughter of a long serving elected official with knowledge or exposure to government but the son a lobbyist who got HIMSELF government contracts to enrich himself PERSONALLY.That he is running as a Democrat is OBSCENE and the working men & womens’ Unions smell the stench.
Count LF Chodkiewicz Chudzikiewicz is a closet Democrat and union supporter. He knows the union will change course and support Korge in the near future. He likes to pretend that he knows something about government and politics, but in the end, he’s just a blowhard.
I agree. Andrew Korge’s campaign is a joke. He blocked my Twitter account because I advocated for a policy based, straight-forward campaign.
All I want was a fair campaign – one based on ideas and substantive public policy – but apparently, that goes against his campaign strategy/messaging.
He didn’t even take the time to respond to my non-partisan tweet – choosing to block me instead, oppressing my voice and disenfranchising my online presence; a new low for “liberal” Korge.
If he thinks he can become a leader of #OurCommunity by blocking those who defy his platform or political leanings, think again. The voters will decide to choose a leader REPRESENTATIVE of the community at large – a principled leader, who’s driven by excellence and compassion, such as Senator Flores – will prevail at the end, for the voters know her record.
I would not have a problem with Andrew if he took the time to listen to his potential voters and care for his district, but due to his unfriendly campaign, quick-to-block approach, and lack of compassion, I have but no choice but to advocate against his campaign and senatorial bid.