Scott Powers
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine is getting the endorsement of two of the largest unions at Walt Disney World and from another representing hospitality workers in South Florida, with a formal announcement set for late Thursday in Orlando.
UNITE HERE Locals 362 and 737, combining to represent 23,000 at Walt Disney World and other Central Florida locations, and Local 355 representing 7,000 workers in South Florida, are picking Levine in the Democratic primary over four rivals.
Local 355 represents hospitality workers in South Florida’s hotels, airports, sports stadiums, and casinos. Local 362 represents attractions, custodial and vacation planning employees Walt Disney World and food service workers in Central Florida. Local 737 represents food and beverage workers and housekeepers at Disney and other locations throughout Central Florida.
“With union workers at Disney on the verge of winning a historic raise to $15, we need a governor who is committed to raising wages for all Floridians,” Eric Clinton, president of UNITE HERE Local 362, stated in a news release. “Phil Levine has taken action to raise wages in South Florida, and we stand with him to help workers across the whole state.”
Levine got the hospitality workers’ backing over his rivals in the Aug. 28 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Jeff Greene, Gwen Graham, Chris King, and Andrew Gillum, and over the Republican frontrunners, Ron DeSantis and Adam Putnam.
