IAM Florida Sugar Workers Visit Capitol Hill to Address Priorities

Last month, the Florida State Council of Machinists visited Washington, D.C., urging lawmakers to address the importance of jobs in sugarcane farming and manufacturing in Florida.

During their visits, IAM members lobbied for sensible and reliable policies around sugar production and the upcoming Farm Bill.

“Everything I have today is because I’m with such a great employer. We’re like a family,” said Cornelius Fowler of IAM Local 2152 on how U.S. sugar production and manufacturing help support good-paid union jobs. 

IAM Florida sugar workers’ occupations include but are not limited to sugarcane farming, milling and refining processes on American soil, including many positions requiring skilled trades, such as machinists and welders.

“The IAM will continue to work closely with allies advocating for agricultural policies that help America’s sugarcane industry and the workers that depend on it,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace.

Early in March, the Florida State Council of Machinists also visited legislators in Tallahassee, FL, to discuss sugarcane farming and manufacturing. 

See social media coverage below:

The sugar in the grocery store made it there thanks to the labor of truck drivers, lab technicians, safety managers, equipment operators,  mechanics and more.

Thanks @RepWilson for supporting FL sugarcane workers (@USSugarFLA, @FLCrystalsCorp, @SCGCFL) and @machinistsunion pic.twitter.com/mpcj7ADWwD

— American Sugar Alliance (@SugarAlliance) April 21, 2023

Great to recently hear about issues the @MachinistsUnion is working on. We share many goals, like equal pay for equal work and better wages, leave and insurance for workers. I fight for those causes every day, too. #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/i5lexJnOhZ

— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) April 24, 2023

Sugar companies are all farmer, family, or employee owned. We take pride in our great paying jobs, benefits, and advancement opportunities.

Thanks @RepRoKhanna for supporting FL sugarcane workers (@USSugarFLA, @FLCrystalsCorp, @SCGCFL) and @machinistsunion. pic.twitter.com/LXRA2ujtDj

— American Sugar Alliance (@SugarAlliance) April 21, 2023

Sensible and reliable U.S. sugar policy supports American sugar companies and good paying union jobs in places like New York and FL.
 
Thanks @RepPatRyanNY for supporting FL sugarcane workers (@USSugarFLA, @FLCrystalsCorp, @SCGCFL) and @machinistsunion. pic.twitter.com/uKRrJRXVpE

— American Sugar Alliance (@SugarAlliance) April 20, 2023

America’s sugar industry workers – including union members from @MachinistsUnion – make sure Americans have a reliable and safe supply of sugar.

Thanks @RepBonnie for supporting FL sugarcane workers (@USSugarFLA, @FLCrystalsCorp, @SCGCFL) and @machinistsunion pic.twitter.com/8r2pFXtZ9u

— American Sugar Alliance (@SugarAlliance) April 20, 2023

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