The Florida AFL-CIO is a state federation of approximately 500 local labor unions and labor councils, representing 500,000 workers, retires and their families. We are construction workers, health care professionals, classroom teachers, agricultural workers, hotel and restaurant employees, transportation workers, firefighters, law enforcement and correctional officers. Wherever people work in Florida, across a broad range of trades and professions, you will find our members.

We work to provide better lives for all of Florida’s working families, members or not, through political and legislative action, grassroots mobilization and organizing new workers into Florida’s labor movement. We also provide a wide range of community services working to build stronger and healthier communities.

The Florida AFL-CIO is one of 50 state federations of the national AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations). We are part of a long and proud tradition, one that has existed since the earliest days of our nation and has worked tirelessly to build a more just society based on social and economic justice, a reverence for human rights and a commitment to the American dream.

We are a member driven organization, based on the best democratic principles. Our governing body is the state Biennial Convention, held on odd-numbered years. In even-numbered years, a COPE (Committee on Political Education) Endorsing Convention is held to consider political endorsements and support or opposition to constitutional ballot and legislative issues. These Conventions establish the principles and policies that guide everything we do.

Every four years, the Biennial Convention elects the President and Secretary-Treasurer who are the Executive Officers. Every two years at the Biennial Convention, District Vice-Presidents, Union Vice-Presidents and Vice-Presidents-at-Large are elected. The Vice-Presidents and the Executive Officers constitute the Executive Board of the Florida AFL-CIO. Between conventions, the Executive Board is the governing body.

The Florida AFL-CIO was formed in 1958 with the merger of the Florida American Federation of Labor and the Florida Congress of Industrial Organizations. In 1974, the Florida AFL-CIO purchased the building it now occupies at 135 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, in close proximity to the State Capitol. The building houses the federation’s president, secretary-treasurer and staff. It also serves as office and meeting space for labor lobbyists from throughout the state who participate in the United Labor Lobby.