Northwest Florida Federation of Labor President James Lingley joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the challenges of maintaining union solidarity in a fractured political landscape that seeks to divide the working class.
There is clearly a political division among Florida’s working class, Lingley explained. However, working people tend to agree more than disagree on the issues that affect the bread and butter of working families: Financial security, healthcare and retirement. Politicians intentionally try to divide working people, but unions need to continue the discussions that bring families together, he added.
Ultimately, Lingley feels workers must unite through union solidarity and take back power from politicians who seek to divide America.
Lingley also talked about the challenges of organizing in Florida, a So-Called “Right to Work” state. Many people have misconceptions about what unions do and how they can help working families, he said. He spoke about his own efforts to bring the mission of unions into casual conversations in order to provoke thought and discussion.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.