From the citrus fields to the busy theme parks, Central Florida’s labor history has been shaped by the efforts of labor activists and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of workers. The region’s labor history is woven with the struggles and triumphs of workers striving for dignity, rights, and fair treatment.
In the early 20th century, labor unions began to emerge in Central Florida, advocating for improved working conditions and fair wages. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 606, established in Orlando in the early 1900s, represented the growing electrical worker group in the region. The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) organized workers in various industries including manufacturing, transportation, and hospitality, which were all steadily growing as more people moved to the area.
Labor unions would go on to play a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, with labor unions supporting efforts for racial equality and fair treatment of all workers. Labor activists joined forces with civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to demand justice and equality in the workplace. Organizations like the Central Florida AFL-CIO and Jobs with Justice continue to advocate for the rights of workers across racial and ethnic lines today too.
In modern-day central Florida, labor organizations continue to fight for the rights of workers across various sectors. UNITE HERE organizes hospitality workers, including those employed at Walt Disney World, advocating for better benefits, wages, and working conditions. The Farmworker Association of Florida works to empower agricultural workers, many of whom are immigrants, by advocating against restrictions on heat protections and for the pro-immigrant “Welcoming Florida Act.” LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations like QLatinx and the Zebra Coalition address issues of workplace discrimination and advocate for inclusive workplaces for LGBTQ+ individuals; this includes LGBTQ+ organizations’ fight against bills, such as this past session’s House Bill 599, that would punish businesses that addressed their employees by their preferred pronouns.
Central Florida’s labor history is characterized by the resilience and determination of workers and labor organizations striving for justice and equality. Although, the achievements made by Central Florida’s labor movement have been rolled back through the recent passing of harmful legislation. In this past legislative session, House Bill 433 was passed, which prohibits city or county governments from establishing heat protections for outdoor workers; simultaneously, the passing of House Bill 1451 prohibits counties and municipalities from accepting community IDs, which further restricts immigrants’ ability to gain employment, housing, or any form of help. This month, remember to talk to your fellow workers and think about the ways you could improve your community. Feel free to connect with any of the organizations below to learn more about organizing, or learn more about the labor movement!
Organizations that focus on labor in Central Florida include but are not limited to:
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 606- The organization’s goal has remained steady since our beginning: to promote excellence in the electrical industry and improve their member’s lives.
- Central Florida AFL-CIO– They strive to ensure all working people are treated fairly, with decent paychecks and benefits, safe jobs, dignity, and equal opportunities. Today, they also help people acquire valuable skills and job readiness for the 21st-century economy
- Jobs with Justice– Jobs With Justice is leading the fight for workers’ rights and an economy that benefits everyone. They are the only nonprofit of their kind leading strategic campaigns and shaping the public discourse on every front to build power for working people.
- UNITE HERE– UNITE HERE is a labor union that represents 300,000 working people across Canada and the United States. UH members work in the hotel, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textile, distribution, laundry, transportation, and airport industries. They take pride in their diverse membership. They are predominantly women and people of color, coming from all corners of the planet.
- The Farmworker Association of Florida– The Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF) is a statewide, grassroots, community-based, non-profit, farmworker membership organization with over 10,000 Haitian, Hispanic, and African American members and five offices in the state of Florida, working for social and environmental justice with farmworkers.
- QLatinx– QLatinx is a grassroots racial, social, and gender justice organization dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Central Florida’s LGBTQ+ Latinx community
- Zebra Coalition– Zebra Youth advances its mission by providing high-quality, culturally appropriate programs designed to meet the unique needs of homeless and at-risk LGBTQ+. The goal of programming is to provide each youth with the tools necessary to become a healthy, productive, and self-sufficient individual.
- Central Florida Jobs with Justice– A partnership between labor unions, community organizations, student activists, and people of faith together with the common goal of advocating for the well-being of workers and Central Florida.
- Central Florida Labor Council for Latin American Advancement Chapter– The Central Florida chapter of the Labour Council for Latin American Advancement is a non-profit organization that represents over 2 million Latino workers across the 50 states and Puerto Rico.
- Communications Workers of America Local 3108– Communications Workers of America is a labor union whose mission is for bargaining and representation in the workforce. They have many chapters across many different locations.
- Teamsters 385 TCWH– Teamsters aim to improve wages and working conditions. They bargain and negotiate with other organizations to uphold moral conditions and status.
- Service Trades Council Union– The STCU represents 6 separate unions fighting for the better conditions of 42,000 Disney workers.
- Career Source Florida– Official job search organization associated with the Floridian and Federal government. Aids both youth and adults in finding successful, gainful, and fulfilling careers with counseling and training.