On Wednesday, May 30, Fight for $15 workers, union members, students, activists, and a congressional candidates gathered in Tampa to hold the first in the America Needs Unions series of Town Halls. Everyone who works hard should be able to make ends meet. But too many people are working longer hours for lower wages because billionaires and the politicians they back have rigged the economy against those of us who work for a living.
When workers join together in unions, we all win. The playing field gets leveled and all Americans – not just the wealthy and powerful – have a voice and can do well. When more of us are in unions, we can raise wages and create balanced, inclusive growth. We can build strong communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, no matter where you are from or what you look like.
With that in mind, Tampa workers wanted to know where the candidates stood on the critical issue of union rights and how to get more workers unionized. All candidates running for Congress in Florida’s 15th congressional district were invited. Every Republican declined to attend. Democratic candidates Kristen Carlson, Andrew Learned, and Ray Peña were in attendance and addressed union rights and answered questions throughout the meeting.
Y’all are looking good out there! @fightfor15 #FlipFL15 #FL15 #FlipItBlue pic.twitter.com/OD9thpvqeY
— Andrew Learned (@AndrewLearned) May 30, 2018
Tonight, I am listening to members from the @fightfor15 movement in Tampa. I stand with #unions and the movement and when in Congress, will fight for your right to bargain and fight for a living wage. #FL15 #fightfor15 pic.twitter.com/IdiQQeqkBe
— Kristen Carlson (@KristenForFL) May 30, 2018
I support the #FightFor15 movement and unions because America NEEDS to fix the standard for living in this country and I am one step towards that. Join me in this fight #AmericaNeedsUnions
— Ray Peña (@OneCoqui) May 30, 2018
Watch the full Town Hall below:
The meeting began with testimonials from workers sharing their stories
Antwon wants to know what #FL15 candidates will do to make his life better #FightFor15 pic.twitter.com/eL0bcZlA4V
— Fight for 15 Florida (@FightFor15FL) May 30, 2018
Unless working people in Florida can win unions, our economy will stay rigged and working families will keep falling behind. #HigherEd #Fightfor15 pic.twitter.com/DgDRbWuhRj
— Faculty Forward (@FacultyForward) May 30, 2018
Candidates then answered questions, shared their own union stories, and made a promise to stand with workers and their unions if elected.
.@KristenForFL says, if elected, she’ll support the Workplace Democracy Act #FightFor15 #FL15 pic.twitter.com/7XNoPzAqyN
— Fight for 15 Florida (@FightFor15FL) May 30, 2018
“As a small business owner I support a $15 minimum wage. I am a #union member. I will die a #union member” @onecoqui #FightFor15 pic.twitter.com/uo5s98tiiu
— Fight for 15 Florida (@FightFor15FL) May 30, 2018
Florida Democratic Congressional candidate @andrewlearned “We need a $15 Federal Minimum Wage. Period. ” #FightFor15 #FL15 pic.twitter.com/dhoLiKCfKJ
— Fight for 15 Florida (@FightFor15FL) May 30, 2018
Throughout the summer, working people are joining together to hold elected leaders and 2018 candidates accountable in a powerful fight to unrig America’s economy. Check back here to see what other candidates for office have to say when it comes to getting more workers in unions!
Workers in Tampa are standing together to say they need unions to build stronger communities and improve the lives of working families. @AndrewLearned @OneCoqui @KristenForFL, will you stand with them? #HigherEd #FightFor15 pic.twitter.com/EaV5LMLrOo
— Faculty Forward (@FacultyForward) May 30, 2018