Union leaders rally South Florida workers on Labor Day to demand higher pay
MIAMI - It seemed only appropriate that on Labor Day, union leaders rallied workers in South Florida to demand higher wages amid rising costs across the area.
Food workers at Fort Lauderdale airport brought a list of demands to their employer, Delaware North, asking for at least 20 dollars an hour and affordable health benefits. Their contract expired about a month ago.
They have agreed to go on strike if those demands aren't met.
"It will mean every food and beverage outlet here in the terminal and these two terminals would shut down, and we don't want to do that," said Wendi Walsh, principal officer of Unite Here Local 355.
Monique Peterson Is a bartender at Fort Lauderdale airport; she says her people are barely getting by even with tips.
"People are making food that they can't afford to eat," Peterson said.
CBS News Miami reached out to Delaware North several times but has not heard back.
In Miami Dade County, Labor Day is Day 17 of the AT&T workers' strike.
Byron Flores has been a technician with the company for 26 years. He hasn't been paid since he walked out of work just over two weeks ago. He's trying to survive on $300 a week in payments from his union while they try to sort out a new contract with AT&T.
"It's sad for the consumer. It's sad for us because we prefer being at work doing what we're doing. But some things have to be done," Flores said.
The United Teachers of Dade held a rally today, standing in solitary with the other unions on strike on the holiday. Teacher Crystal Etienne says her profession isn't allowed to strike in Florida, so she's happy for those that can.
"It says that we're all in this together. We're all unions. We're all brothers and sisters. We're all in the same fight. Fair wages correct the working environment," Etienne said.
AT&T has said in a statement that they're committed to making a contract that reflects today's job market and has fair wages. They've invited a federal mediator to sit in on the contract talks. The Communication Workers of America Union has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board about these contract talks.