Friend,
As the daughter of working-class immigrants, words cannot even begin to describe my deep appreciation for — and commitment to — labor.
Whether we belong to a union in our workplace or not, all of us owe a debt of gratitude for the rights that workers around the country have collectively fought for — from a minimum wage to safer workplaces to 40-hour work weeks and two-day weekends.
And just like unions fight for us, I will always fight for the rights of workers in Tallahassee — where big corporations spend millions of dollars supporting politicians that bust unions, keep their employees from banding together, and prevent policies like hazard pay for essential workers from becoming a reality.
Just this year, Republicans in Tallahassee tried to pass “HB 1,” which attempted to crush organizing efforts through unnecessary red tape and other administrative burdens. We defeated that bad bill — and proved yet again that people power is stronger than corporate influence.
Closer to home, I was honored to stand in solidarity last month with workers at Orlando International Airport who are battling corporate giant HMS Host’s awful efforts to stop them from even voting on a union. Service workers carry our state’s economy on their backs every day and they have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. They absolutely deserve the protections that come with a union.
We still have a lot of work to do, both in Florida and across the country — from raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour to ensuring our LGBTQ+ workers can’t be fired because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. But when we all join together, organize and mobilize, we can accomplish anything.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Labor Day!
In Solidarity,
Rep. Anna V. Eskamani