James Call

USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau

For nearly two hours Tuesday, state Rep. Jamie Grant stood at the front of the Florida House chamber and defended his plan to require teachers, state workers and police officers to renew their membership in a labor union every year.

Thirteen Democrats lined up to question the Tampa-area Republican about provisions of his bill (HB 1). And no matter how they asked, Grant steadfastly maintained his measure was not a union busting bill, but an employee pay-protection plan.

Earlier, opponents of the bill — including the AFL-CIO, Florida Education Association, Florida Teamsters and others — formed a line leading to the doors of the Florida House.

More than 100 of their members held “Union busting is disgusting” signs and, like cheerleaders before a football game, high-fived Democratic lawmakers as they walked into the House chamber for Tuesday’s session.

All the to-do, however, may wind up being more political theater than policymaking.

A Senate companion bill has not been heard in committee this session. When asked about that bill Tuesday, Senate President Bill Galvano said, “It has not moved ... and I don't expect it will" — suggesting Grant's bill, if it passes the House, may be dead on arrival when it lands in the other chamber.

The bill would require public sector union members to sign a form each year authorizing deduction of union dues from their pay. It also would require employers to validate the signature on the form for each union member.

Opponents say the requirement undermines the independence of workers to organize, inserts the employer in discussions between the worker and union, and also provides the employer undue influence on labor’s ability to organize workers.

Ken Williams of Teamster’s 79 in Tampa said the bill is sinister, insulting and intimidating. Williams works in the private sector but said he joined the protest in Tallahassee to show solidarity with public sector workers.

“Them today, me tomorrow,” Williams explained with a nod to the protesters.

“What about captive meetings?" he added. "One-on-one with the employer, asking 'did you read this? Did you fully understand it when you signed it,' ” Williams said.

Grant argued that his critics, whom he called his good friends, have read the bill all wrong.

“This bill is not about union membership," he said. "It’s about the employee’s money. It does not impact membership; it only impacts money.”

Rep. Loranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee, went straight to the heart of the provision that gives workers angst about the bill.

“Is there any timeframe by which the employer must confirm the authorization,” Ausley asked. “Currently no,” said Grant.

And that, according to an AFL-CIO spokesman, can affect the organization’s operations. The slow processing of authorization forms could create financial problems and questions about membership rights for workers.

“Currently when someone joins the union in the public sector, that union membership is for life until the minute they decide they don’t want to be” a member, said Rich Templin, Florida AFL-CIO political director.

Labor groups accuse Grant of pushing a version of a bill that originated in Michigan and is now being considered by six other state legislatures. He counters he is just trying to put up a shield to protect public sector workers from organizations that have "politicized" professions.

He cited an Orange County teacher association's membership form which asked potential members if they were a member of a political party and, if so, which one.

Democrats failed in their attempt to amend the bill and it will be scheduled for final debate and vote.

James Call, a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau, can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com.Follow him on Twitter @CallTallahassee.

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