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Labor Unions Focus on I-4 Corridor This Election Season

labor

The nation's largest federation of unions is focusing on Central Florida this election season.

The president of the AFL-CIO says the group is rallying voters along the vital I-4 corridor in support of important issues to workers like the minimum wage.

The AFL-CIO represents 56 labor unions and 12.5 million workers.

President Richard Trumka says Florida is vital as the group advocates for a higher minimum wage, immigration reform and other issues important to the middle class.

"The economy is not like the weather. The economy is just a bunch of rules. Those rules decide who the winners are and who the losers are, and those rules are made up by men and women we elect. That's why elections matter."

Meanwhile, Florida's biggest business lobby is lining up behind incumbent Rick Scott in the state's hotly contested gubernatorial race.

Florida Chamber of Commerce President Mark Wilson says under Scott the economy improved for the middle class.

"Under Gov. Scott we've created over 600,000 private sector jobs. Taxes are going down. Education is improving, and the truth is families are getting back to work again."

But the AFL-CIO is backing Democratic challenger Charlie Crist, and volunteers are planning to knock on doors to get out the vote.

Trumka says Crist supports the middle class unlike Scott.

Amy Green covered the environment for WMFE until 2023. Her work included the 2020 podcast DRAINED.