Florida’s Attorney General, Ashley Moody, a staunch supporter of Governor Ron DeSantis, initiated a legal battle against the Biden administration centered around a contentious new union law that Governor DeSantis has championed on the presidential campaign trail. In a federal lawsuit filed in Fort Lauderdale, Moody asserts that top White House officials, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, are violating federal law by threatening to withhold hundreds of millions in federal grants unless a state panel grants waivers to Florida’s new union law.
Defending Workers’ Rights
Moody emphasized the importance of Florida’s laws in protecting workers from being coerced by unions, stating, “Florida passed laws to protect workers from being strong-armed by unions.” She criticized President Biden’s attempts to impose what she views as detrimental policies on the state, saying, “Biden, intent on driving our country into the ground, continues to try to force states to implement his bad policies.”
Moody, who has publicly endorsed DeSantis’ potential bid for the presidency, has a history of confrontations with the Biden administration, particularly concerning immigration issues. She is widely considered a potential candidate for the gubernatorial race in 2026.
DeSantis’ Union Law
Governor DeSantis prioritized Florida’s new union law during the 2023 legislative session, viewing it as a key element of his presidential campaign. The law, effective since July 1, includes provisions prohibiting public employers from deducting union dues from employee paychecks and simplifying the process of decertifying unions.
Critics argue that the law primarily targets DeSantis’ political adversaries, such as the state’s teacher union, as it does not apply to unions representing law enforcement officers and firefighters.
Conflict and Confrontation
The conflict surrounding the union law was anticipated months ago when the legislation was amended on the Senate floor to potentially provide a carve-out for mass transit workers. Concerns had been raised about whether the law conflicted with federal labor regulations, jeopardizing federal funding.
Since its enactment, local transportation authorities and governments have requested waivers from the law, following federal officials’ contentions that it conflicts with federal requirements. The Public Employee Relations Commission, overseen by DeSantis appointees, granted time-limited and conditional waivers. However, the Department of Labor challenged the waivers, risking over $800 million in federal funding for mass transit systems.
Moody’s Lawsuit
Moody’s lawsuit targets the Department of Transportation, the Department of Labor, and the Federal Transit Administration, along with key officials in these agencies. It seeks to prevent the agencies from withholding federal grants and declares unconstitutional the part of federal law that the Department of Labor relies on to question Florida’s union law.
Spokespersons for Buttigieg and the Department of Transportation declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.
In parallel, state-level lawsuits challenging Florida’s union law have been filed, including one alleging violations of collective bargaining rights enshrined in the state constitution. While a circuit judge recently dismissed a lawsuit by South Florida public employee unions and union members, the possibility of refiling remains open.
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