Florida Labor Leaders Endorse Joe Biden
“Labor Day is a time for our nation to celebrate the working people’s efforts to get their fair share of the American Dream. I’m proud of the work public employees give to make Florida what it is today. During these difficult times our country is facing, we need real leadership. There is no doubt that Joe Biden believes in the workers who keep America moving forward. He will fight for the rights of frontline workers who put their lives on the line every day to get our state through this pandemic. This Labor Day should remind us all that challenges are best met when we face them together,” said Vicki Hall, President of AFSCME Florida.
"Today, as we honor the contributions of Florida's workers, we honor those who have been on the frontlines of this pandemic working to keep our communities safe, healthy, and up and running. Joe Biden is the only candidate who will protect Florida's frontline and essential workers. He will get this pandemic under control and help create millions of good-paying Union jobs by investing in American manufacturing and innovation. Joe Biden stands with Unions, and he knows that American workers and working families must be treated as essential at all times, not just times of crisis. Florida’s working people can count on Joe," said Mike Williams, Florida AFL-CIO President.
“During this pandemic, everyone has learned what educators already knew, that our public schools are vital to student learning, to the social and emotional well-being of students, for bringing together our community and as the foundation of our economy. This Labor Day as we honor those who work on the front lines in our public schools, we recognize the importance of having leaders who understand and support the value of public schools and the people who work in them. Joe Biden has a plan to protect our students and our members during this pandemic and he has a plan to lift up the important work we do every day. Educators stand with Joe Biden because he stands with us!” saidAndrew Spar, Florida Education Association President.
“Labor Day is a time to honor the contributions of working people, and this year it’s also an important opportunity to pay tribute to those on the frontlines of this pandemic: our caregivers, health care workers, and so many more. Donald Trump, through his incompetence and indifference, has abandoned those who keep our communities safe and healthy. We need a leader who will stand up for working people and protect our essential workers. Joe Biden has shown, through both his words and policies, a commitment to honoring the dignity of work and working people. Joe Biden will look out for all working people, strengthen unions, and ensure that every American who works hard and plays by the rules can provide for their family,” said Marcus L. Dixon, Executive Director, SEIU Florida State Council.
“This Labor Day, Florida workers are confronted by an unprecedented public health crisis and a spiraling economy. We need a president who will follow the science to beat COVID-19 and rebuild our economy with working people in mind – Joe Biden will be that President. He will rebuild America’s infrastructure and create millions of good-paying union jobs while investing in a clean energy future. Joe Biden will honor the contributions of unions and working people by investing in us – period,” said Theresa King, Florida State Building and Construction Trades Council President.
“It’s about what is best for the working man. If you look at the appointments Donald Trump has made to the National Labor Relations Board, for Secretary of Education, Secretary of Labor—look at the cuts that we’ve had to unemployment: the fact of the matter is Donald Trump is terrible for the working man. His appointments have gutted labor. The attitude towards the working man and contractors who have done work for him—Trump is not good for working people. I’ve listened to Joe Biden speak twice in person. He is just a good man. He’s clearly better for labor. He’s worked with the AFL-CIO and local central labor councils. He would make more informed, better appointments to the labor committees. The bottom line is he’s just a good man. Trump has an anti-union bias—Biden has a pro-union basis,” said Lanny Mathis, President of the North Central Florida Central Labor Council and Business Manager of IBEW 1205.
“In Donald Trump’s America, workers across the country have experienced diminishing job opportunities and worsening job conditions. Our country has been devastated by a public health and economic crisis caused by the current administration’s abysmal response to Covid-19. Now, with callous disregard for the health and well-being of teachers, President Trump and Florida Republicans are trying to speed up the return to brick-and-mortar schooling before it is safe. It is this debasement of American teachers, the entire workforce and our military that has defined Donald Trump’s presidency. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris understand the challenges and more significantly the vital role that teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and administrators play in society. They have made it a priority to celebrate teachers and school staff, rather than regard us as expendable,” said Karla Hernández Mats, President of the United Teachers of Dade.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our lives and our economy. No one understands that better than America’s working people. The economy might be improving for the Mar-a-Lago crowd, but families across the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach are still hurting," said Pam Emmert, President of the Palm Beach-Treasure Coast AFL-CIO. "I support Joe Biden. He has always genuinely supported our working families. Put simply, I trust Joe Biden."
“We are thankful for our essential construction workers who have stepped up over the last six months to continue to build our country. The next challenge will come throughout these next two months as we work to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Joe is a leader who respects what the building trade stands for, and will fight for our safety, health care, retirement and apprenticeship opportunities. Like with construction, he understands it is more than just rebuilding America to the way it was before. He wants to make sure that we build a nation where everyone gets a fair chance at opportunity. We are proud to stand with him and Sen. Harris,” said Lance E. Fout, North Florida Building Construction Trades Council.
“Under the current administration, so many Amerians are without jobs, health insurance, and liveable wages. Working families need Joe Biden, a president who will lead us out of this pandemic and build America’s working class back better with more sustainable and good paying jobs. This is how we grow stronger as a nation -- by investing in our workers and encouraging their success. Joe Biden will work for everyone, and he is who our country needs. I stand in full support of AFGE’s endorsement of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,” said Dr. Kristan A. Morgan, President, AFGE Local 1570.
“Even though this Labor Day is vastly different than we’re used to, we should be celebrating America’s working people even more this year. Whether it’s frontline health care workers treating the sick or grocery store clerks keeping shelves stocked, COVID-19 has shown that working people truly keep our country running. These essential workers have been working around the clock to keep America going and they deserve better than the status quo. That’s why we need Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the White House. We need a president and vice president who will have the backs of America’s workforce by ending this pandemic, growing a stronger and more inclusive middle class, and helping all workers bargain successfully for what they deserve. Joe knows that strong unions build the middle class and power our economy, and I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with him and Sen. Harris to fight for America’s working people,” said Shawn McDonnell, President of the West Central Florida Labor Council.
“On this Labor Day, even as we honor the sacrifices made and celebrate the progress achieved for working families all over this country, we must remind ourselves that in no other time has the American Dream been more under assault. Donald Trump’s willful negligence during this pandemic has ravaged Central Florida with Osceola and Orange County seeing the highest unemployment rates in the state and massive layoffs convulsing the tourism industry that so many of us depend on to put food on the table. Joe will fight so that working families have a fair shot at a good job, a safe place to live, and a better life to pass down to their kids. Not only is Joe the composed, competent, and compassionate President we so sorely need at this time of crisis, but he’s laid out a plan that will keep corporate power accountable for their abuses, strengthen unions, incentivize bargaining, and guarantee workers are treated with dignity and receive the pay, benefits, and workplace protections they deserve,” said Eric Clinton, President of UNITE HERE! Local 362 Orlando.