National Federation of Public and Private Employees

Bio: Willie Bailey is a native of South Florida born and raised in Miami. His father and uncles were all members of the Teamsters Union. Therefore, the value, ethics and principles of the union ideology were instilled in Willie at an early age. This helped Willie to understand and appreciate the working class of America. Shortly after graduating from high school, Willie went to work full time for Miami Shores Village. It was there that Willie understood the importance of unions in the public sector as well as the private. As soon as he was eligible, he became a member of the Federation of Public Employees.

Accomplishments: Willie began working for Miami Shores Village in 1990. Willie was one of the few who could read, explain or interpret the disciplinary actions brought against his colleagues and what the union could do to help them. He gained his fellow employees trust and confidence and fostered being part of the team. This helped him to successfully move through the ranks by first becoming one of there Shop Stewards, then Negotiations Team Leader, and later appointed Chief Steward. He also worked his way up from a grounds keeper to senior Equipment Operator III and Crew Leader while employed with Miami Shores Village. Willie was often tapped to head special projects within Miami Shores. He was the Emergency Response Team Crew Leader. Whenever they were faced with natural disasters such as, hurricanes, tropical storms and any other emergency situations Willie did not hesitate to respond. He was called upon to head most of their special projects for he possessed the knowledge, skills and kept everyone safe while working within the guidelines of the Union’s Bargaining Agreement.

After eighteen years of employment, and the respect of his colleagues and management, at Miami Shores Village, Willie decided to step out on faith and take his aspirations for equal fair treatment and better working conditions further than he had ever gone before. He decided to leave those eighteen years behind and become a Business Representative for The Federation of Public and Private Employees. Willie continues to work diligently for those same colleagues at Miami Shores and now represents the Broward County Clerk of Courts and the City of Oakland Park. Willie is a member of (APRI) and he serves as an APRI Gentle Warriors Assistant Youth Coordinator for 65 local youths doing community service activities while helping them understand the importance of higher education and preparing them to be Future Labor Leaders. Willie also serves as a delegate of the AFL-CIO. He has gone to Tallahassee to serve as a lobbyist against several Senate Bills that would have negatively impacted Florida’s workforce.

Qualifications: A man once said, "A community is democratic only when the humblest and weakest person can enjoy the highest civil, economic, and social rights that the biggest and most powerful possess." That man was A. Philip Randolph who helped establish Willie’s position on unions and the people he represent on a daily basis. Willie has worked emphatically as an employee in the field serving as a steward, chief steward and negotiations team leader for 18 years, and 3 years as a Union Business Representative. Willie has shown and demonstrated what it means to be committed to an organization throughout his past and present employment. He has received the proper training with negotiating and writing contracts by attending the George Meany Labor College. Willie’s experience in the field has taught him that we all need someone to stand up for us, no matter whom or where we work.