With Disney layoffs looming, Central Florida’s hospitality workers will caravan through the I-4 corridor’s biggest Latino community

Friday, October 2, 2020 at 9:30am ▪ Osceola Heritage Park parking lot on Shake Rag Road between 192 and Fortune Road

Kissimmee, FL – Hospitality workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 737 led a car caravan through Kissimmee’s Latino neighborhoods, raising awareness about the November election, and encouraging workers to kick Donald Trump out of office by voting for Joe Biden. This caravan is a part of UNITE HERE’s political program in Florida, which includes the largest canvassing operation in the state of Florida.

Former Congressman Luis Gutiérrez joined the union at their caravan where he shared his thoughts on Florida’s role in the election, “I am here in Florida to make sure that Trump is out of office in November. The Latino vote, and especially the Puerto Rican vote is critical to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris winning the state. I know my people, and they are ready to get out of this economic mess and health crisis.”

Central Florida’s hospitality workers are still impacted disproportionately as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Many workers are struggling to feed their families, and to pay their bills. Rallying before the caravan launched hospitality workers spoke on the issues that matter most to them, including concerns about immigration rights, continued layoffs, and the impact of the pandemic.

“If Trump had acted swiftly and responsibly to the COVID-19 pandemic we would not be facing more layoffs and uncertainty.” said Disney housekeeper Suehaly Delgado.

Other rallying points focused on Trump’s disregard for marginalized communities including Puerto Ricans. “As a survivor of Hurricane Maria, I experienced Donald Trump’s disrespect firsthand. Now that I’m living in Florida, we are all experiencing it as the coronavirus makes us afraid for our health and our jobs.” said Disney housekeeper Sofia Ortiz.

 

About UNITE HERE Local 737

UNITE HERE Local 737 is a labor union that represents 21,000 workers in the hospitality and tourism industry, including workers in Walt Disney World Food & Beverage and Housekeeping, Palmas Services, Patina Restaurant Group, the Buena Vista Palace Resort & Spa, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando and Centerplate at the Orange County Convention Center. Their members led the campaign to win a $15 minimum wage for Disney workers and continue to fight to spread a good jobs standard throughout Central Florida. UNITE HERE Local 737 is the largest organization of Puerto Rican workers in Central Florida, including many who migrated after Hurricane Maria.