Florida’s state minimum wage rises to $12 on Saturday
Josa Eve Alvarez, a spokesperson for Central Florida Jobs With Justice — which was a partner of the Florida for $15 coalition in 2020 — told Orlando Weekly that while their organization recognizes the significance of the trajectory towards a $15 minimum wage, “It’s crucial to understand that the economic landscape in Central Florida is presenting unprecedented challenges for minimum wage workers.”
“The rising cost of living, exacerbated by an affordable housing crisis, soaring utility costs, and mounting medical debt resulting from the pandemic, has left workers struggling to make ends meet,” said Alvarez. “We firmly believe that achieving a true living wage necessitates more than just a monetary target; it requires a holistic approach that considers the broader economic and societal factors at play.”
Alvarez explains that, locally, this might include the strategic allocation of federal funds (last week, Central Florida Jobs With Justice urged Orange County commissioners to use pandemic relief dollars to wipe out medical debt for residents), as well as “fostering an environment of collective activism and sustained political will.”
“The recent surge in unionizing efforts and strikes across the U.S. can be directly attributed to the stark reality that wages have not kept pace with the rapid inflation and increasing financial burdens,” said Alvarez. “By prioritizing the well-being of workers and ensuring they can meet their basic needs, we can create a more just society that empowers working families to lead fulfilling lives.”
