Guest Column: Unions Stand with You

I am a dedicated employee of the Florida School for The Deaf and Blind In St. Augustin, Florida. Not long ago, I was wrongly accused of an infraction on the job and fired.  Needless to say, losing my job was terrifying experience and left me confused and hurt. I was absolutely certain that I had done nothing wrong so I reached out to my union for guidance. I wasnt sure what to expect but the outcome has left me overwhelmed with gratitude.My representative with AFSCME Local 3025 Torrence Johnson immediately came to my aid and stood by me through the grievance process, an ordeal that wound up being one of the most difficult times of my life. The process took a year but Mr. Johnson and Local 3025 President Eyvolle Pamphile stuck by me and eventually I got my job and my life back.  I can never thank them enough.This process has taught me the value of union membership and the meaning of solidarity in the workplace. If you work any place that has a Union, I urge you to join. If you don’t have a union in your workplace, I highly recommend organizing one.  It can mean the difference between having a job being on the street. To know that you have someone that is there and supports you and willling to fight on your behalf means more than you can imagine.  As long as I am working, I will be in the Union.  Thank you AFSCME Local 3025, Torrence Johnson and Eyvolle Pamphile, my great interpreter for the deaf and everyone else with AFSCME Local 3025 that worked so tirelessly for me.  I am forever grateful.  Sincerely, William Scott