Federal & State Regulations | Collective Bargaining Agreements - Florida

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

Florida has laws relating to collective bargaining in private employment. They are not substantially different from the National Labor Relations Act or Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, and relate mainly to regulation of labor organizations.

Florida requires labor organizations and business agents acting on their behalf to register and obtain a license or permit with the state. Business agents must file an application under oath with the Department along with a set of fingerprints and a $25 registration fee. A statement signed by the president of the labor organization the business agent represents must also accompany the application. All licenses and permits run on a calendar year and expire at midnight, December 31, of each year. The Department’s compliance and enforcement staff reviews the application along with all-pertinent information and documentation, and issue or deny the license. Renewal applications are mailed by program staff to all registered applicants at least two months prior to the deadline date.

Right to work

The state does have a right to work law. Union and agency shop agreements are prohibited.

Public employment

Florida labor relations law does cover public employment. Public employees in the state have the constitutional right to collectively bargain. “Public employees” means employees of the state, counties, school boards, municipalities, and special taxing districts. This includes all fire, police, corrections, school teachers and support personnel, medical personnel, state troopers, toll collectors, sanitation employees, and clerical, etc. There are approximately 400,000 public employees of bargaining units throughout the State of Florida. The Public Employee Relations Commission holds hearings and resolves disputes about the composition of bargaining units and alleged unfair labor practices.

The Commission has an elections division that conducts elections when public employees express the desire to be represented by a union.

The Commission registers unions to qualify them to pursue representing employees.

The Commission has an impasse and mediation coordinator who oversees and orchestrates federally provided mediators and private employed arbitrators to resolve impasses in labor negotiations.