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JJR Endorsement, Wage Theft in Tampa Fine Dining

Alec Wilcosky
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Here's what you need to know this week:
 

 


 

Florida AFL-CIO Endorses Jose Javier Rodriguez for Florida Attorney General

See a message below from the Florida AFL-CIO:

On Tuesday, May 26th, The Florida AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE) proudly kicked off their electoral endorsement season by unanimously voting to endorse Jose Javier Rodriguez for Florida Attorney General.

Shortly after the endorsement vote, Florida AFL-CIO President Kimberly Holdridge issued the following statement:

"The process behind this endorsement represented input from all facets of our movement and Florida’s labor force, and it comes with the determination and dedication of hundreds of thousands of our members to ensure that Jose Javier Rodriguez is elected to serve as Florida’s next Attorney General."

FL AFL-CIO Director of Politics and Public PolicyDr. Rich Templin said of the endorsement:

“JJR has one of the strongest and most proven records of service for Florida’s working families. He was a staunch ally and champion in the Florida House and Senate and as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training of the United States and as an accomplished lawyer in his professional career defending thousands of workers in the courts. Florida’s workers and consumers couldn’t ask for a more qualified or principled Attorney General.”    


 

JJR's early endorsement arrives ahead of the Florida AFL-CIO's 2026 COPE Endorsing Convention on June 14th, where member delegates from across Florida's working class will gather to consider and vote on the congressional, statewide, and state candidates and resolutions that best reflect the priorities of working families this election season.

The full slate of FL AFL-CIO endorsed candidates will be announced soon after the convention's conclusion. Candidates and campaigns interested in participating can visit our convention page or email media@flaflcio.org to inquire further.


 


 


 


 

Tampa Bay Times Covers Wage Theft at Michelin-Star Ebbe

Last week, Tampa Bay Times published a story about Chef Ebbe Vollmer's Scandinavian fine dining establishment that opened downtown in 2023. Among other issues, staff reported "discrepancies and delays in their paychecks," including three short-term workers who say they were never compensated for their work.


Ebbe. Photo: Martha Asencio-Rhine, Tampa Bay Times
 

The article illustrates the all-too-common employer practice of wage theft. The Economic Policy Institute found that millions of workers each year are victims of wage theft. The US Department of Labor recovered nearly $700 million in stolen wages for workers between 2021-2023 and another $201.4 million recovered by state departments of labor and attorneys general over the same period. Who knows how much went stolen and unrecovered?

In Florida, we have been without a state department of labor for twenty-four years since the state dismantled it under Gov. Jeb Bush. As a result, state enforcement of laws against wage theft largely do not occur. Some counties, like Pinellas and Hillsborough have wage theft ordinances on the books, but for many Floridians, they can either sue or count on the state Attorney General to take action if they are underpaid on the state minimum wage. Reporting from McKenna Schueler showed that the Florida AG only recovered around $500 for one adult Hungry Howie's delivery driver in 2023.

To learn the full story of what goes on behind the scenes at this $400-per-plate restaurant, be sure to check out the full story.


 

 


 

Here's What's Coming Up:

 


 


 

5/29 Deadline to Apply for Central Florida Jobs with Justice's Annual Organizer Training

Dates: June 26-28, 2026
Location: Central Florida Jobs with Justice Office: 1516 East Colonial Dr Suite 304 Orlando, FL 32803
Price: $200 for commuters, plus an additional $200 per night should you need lodging accommodations (scholarships are available)
Application Deadline: May 29th (We will take applications after this date but we highly encourage folks to apply by this date).


 

Annually, JWJ hosts this training in Central Florida and is a space where organizers and activists are able to learn a mix of hard organizing skills and develop their ability to build winning cross-sector campaigns. This training provides an organizing framework that can be used by even the most seasoned activists, and also is a great space for leaders to build or strengthen their relationships with partners in our ecosystem.
 


 


 


 


 

Upcoming Screenings for Political Office 5/30, 5/31, and 6/1

Formal notice for these screenings went out on Friday, May 8. If you a member of a WCFLC-affiliated union and would like to attend any of these screenings, please reach out to our Field Rep. Alec Wilcosky at awilcosky@flaflcio.org.

Hillsborough Screening

  • Saturday, May 30 at 9am
  • Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association (3102 N Habana Ave, Tampa)
  • Interviewing candidates from Congressional District 15, Florida House Districts 63, 64, and 67

Pinellas Screening

  • Sunday, May 31 at 10am
  • Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association (650 Seminole Blvd, Largo)
  • Interview candidates from Congressional District 13, Florida Senate District 16, Florida House Districts 58, 61, and 62

Manatee Screening

  • Monday, June 1 at 5pm
  • Zoom
  • Interview candidates from Congressional District 16


 


 


 

6/2: In-Person CLC Meeting

Tomorrow, the formal invite to delegates and union members will go out for our second in-person meeting of the year Tuesday, June 2 at 7pm at IBEW 915.  We will be taking action on any results from the COPE screenings from the weekend prior and closing nominations for our vacant Hillsborough Trustee seat on the Executive Board.  We will be welcoming our locally-endorsed candidates, so be sure to join us during dinner time from 6:30-7pm before the meeting kicks off.


 


 

6/13-14: FL AFL-CIO COPE Convention

The Florida labor movement will be gathering in Orlando for its Committee on Political Education (COPE) endorsing convention at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace - Disney Springs. Below are some important notes and reminders to delegates and candidates interested in participating.


 

Delegates

Local unions should have now received their Convention credentials in the mail. Be sure to check that your local union plans on sending delegates. If you have any questions about the convention or your credentials, please contact the Office of the President via Billy Lawson at wlawson@flaflcio.org. Your local can pay ahead via check while avoiding a late registration/on-site registration fee.

In addition to Convention registration, you may join us on the evening of Saturday, June 13 for the Candidate Reception. Tickets for delegates are $132.43 after fees. You may purchase tickets online now or RSVP and pay later here.

Candidates and Campaign Staff

Candidates should have already received an invite to the Candidate Reception Saturday, June 13 7-9pm on site at hotel. This event gives candidates the opportunity to connect with delegates ahead of endorsement votes the next day. Tickets for candidates and their staff are $263.74 each after fees. You may purchase tickets now or RSVP and pay later here.


 


 


 

8/8: Hillsborough DEC Kennedy-King Gala


 



 

That's all for this week! Check out our website at wcflc.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates. If you'd like to receive this weekly via email, please subscribe here: bit.ly/WCFLC