Scott Powers
UNITE HERE, a union representing hotel maids, food-service workers and others at Walt Disney World and other Orlando tourism and lodging businesses has endorsed Democrat Susannah Randolph in Florida’s 9th Congressional District.
UNITE HERE’s two locals, 362 and 737, represents union members who work in the hotel, transportation, food service, manufacturing, textile, distribution, and laundry industries.
“In a time when special interests and large corporations hold immense power, we need representation by someone who has consistently stood up for the people. That person is Susannah Randolph. For years Susannah has fought not only for us, but with us, side-by-side on the front lines,” Jeremy Yassen, vice-president of Local 362, stated in a news release issued Friday by Randolph’s campaign. “There is no better ally to bring the fight for fair wages and benefits to Washington than Susannah and we are proud to support her in her bid for Florida’s 9th Congressional District.”
Randolph is in a tough Aug. 30 Democratic primary contest with Dena Grayson, state Sen. Darren Soto, and Valleri Crabtree. The leading Republicans running in the seat are businessman Wayne Liebnitzky and Kissimmee City Commissioner Wanda Rentas.
Randolph worked with UNITE HERE to help pass the strongest wage ordinance in the state, in Osceola County, which is fully within CD 9. The ordinance allows workers to recover wages that were unfairly withheld.
“I’m running for Congress because I want to make life better for Central Floridians. There is no reason that mothers and fathers (who are working one, two, or even three jobs) have to put their kids to bed in a different hotel room each night, because it’s all they can afford. That is unacceptable,” Randolph stated. “Fortunately, we have some committed community allies like UNITE HERE who are working to change that.”
