Political victories for our communities
During this Primary Election Season our Union participated in 3 races locally. During the months of July and August members knocked on union members’ doors, phone banked, attended events, participated in Labor Walks and invited politicians to our workplaces. The result was spectacular.
Miami-Dade County Commission:
- District 2: Commissioner Jean Monestime won re-election
- District 8: Daniella Levine Cava beat the incumbent in a highly contested race making this the 3rd time in the County’s history that an incumbent has been unseated.
Broward County Commission:
- District 6: Quentin “Beam” Furr won his race for a highly contested seat on the commission.
Congratulations to everyone for such fantastic victories. We look forward to working together for the continued improvement of our communities.
Florida Freedom Forum at the Miami International Airport
On July 22, 2014 hundreds of Local 355 members and allies convened at the Miami International Airport Auditorium with panelists Florida State Representative José Javier Rodriguez, Miami Dade Commissioner Jean Monestime, Candidate for Miami Dade Commission Daniella Levine Cava and Alayne Unterberger, from RISEP at Florida International University.
The Florida Freedom Forum was an event for all industries, no matter if you work in Hotels, Casinos or in Food Service. President Rose Gabriel Metellus Denis was clear that we are all in this fight together while Secretary Treaurer Wendi Walsh addressed the room about the importance of standing up and holding all companies accountable. Our brave workers, Patricia Pierre, Roy James, Rick Sanchez, Greg Thornton, and Ninoska Hernandez brought the message home with testimony of how they are fighting together with their co-workers to make their union stronger, win the union at their workplace and keeping their employers accountable for the promises they’ve made to the community.
We are headed in the right direction but we can’t make this change alone.
2014 International Union Convention
The 2014 UNITE HERE! International Union Convention took place on June 25-27th in Boston, MA. Local 355 had the privilege of sending 6 delegates to represent South Florida. We were honored to have Joanne Jacques and Rachelle Laurant share their stories with the over 800 person audience of union members from across two countries. Delegates were together sharing experiences, celebrating victories, and making a commitment to build the strength of our union 50,000+ lives stronger!
Calder Casino Workers meet with Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert
Since his candidacy for Mayor Oliver Gilbert has been a strong supporter of Local 355’s Florida Freedom Charter taking to heart the pillars that make up the Charter. For this reason we felt he was deserving of the Freedom Fighter plaque presented to him by long time Local 355 member and key leader Patricia Pierre.
Calder Casino union members met with Mayor Gilbert to discuss their issues at work as they fight to negotiate their first Union Contract. Calder Casino workers, some of whom are also residents of Miami Gardens told him of the conditions at their job and their plans for a strong Union Contract. We hope to keep working with the Mayor for better jobs in our communities!
