We are facing a pivotal moment in our country’s history, where inequality continues to grow, where wages are stagnant – and here, in Florida, 44% of households cannot even afford basic needs such as housing, childcare, and food. That’s unacceptable.
The fact that millions of Floridians are forced to make a decision each month about whether to pay their rent, or put food on their table – is unacceptable. And it means more needs to be done. No hardworking family should have to make such a decision.
People shouldn’t have to live not knowing if they’ll have access to healthcare, struggle to put food on the table, scramble to find child care or spend hours to bus across town to get to work only to be sent home after a last minute schedule change.
We need more jobs that pay well. Jobs where managers are held accountable for how they treat their employees. Jobs that provide healthcare and jobs that allow those who work hard to get ahead. Jobs that take care of their workers even when they can’t work any longer. Union jobs.
That’s why I’ve led efforts to invest in programs that encourage more apprenticeships that help young people prepare for these important jobs and careers.
Instead of working together to ensure all American workers are treated well, there are some out there that would rather pit workers against workers in an effort to take away their rights both in Washington and in Tallahassee. That's not right.
Whether it's jamming through a tax bill giving multinational corporations billions in tax breaks without guaranteeing workers are paid what they deserve, or packing the federal bench with extremist judges, or weakening labor laws – the fight against hardworking people is real.
This is a fight we owe it to the people of Florida to win and I'll never stop fighting for all the hardworking people of this state to get a fair shake.
Great to be in Orlando today with the @FLAFLCIO! These workers help make Florida run and I'm honored to receive their endorsement. 
