The Florida Democratic Party released the following statement from hotel and casino workers’ union representative, Wendi Walsh, who is one of many voices not at Governor DeSantis’ Re-Open Florida Task Force table. Frontline workers in the hospitality industry would be at great risk if the economy is reopened without the necessary precautions, and are not represented on the Governor’s task force, along with many other labor representatives, medical and public health experts.

Wendi Walsh, secretary-treasurer of Unite Here Local 355, sent the following statement on Governor DeSantis’ Re-Open Florida Task Force deliberations:

“We want to see the economy re-open, but any discussion of reopening the economy has to start with protection for workers and the public. Millions of people are still at risk and will be even more at risk if we just declare that it’s time to go back to work, without the proper protection for workers and the public.

“The Governor’s failure to provide deserved benefits to Florida’s unemployed is intentional. Corporations and their Republican allies are refusing to give workers unemployment benefits because they want a desperate workforce waiting to go back to work, even if that means putting themselves and the public at risk. We will not be sacrificed on the altar of profit, for industry owners who themselves will not be in harm’s way. We will refuse to go back to work if it is unsafe. We will not jeopardize the health of our country.

“In addition, the Governor’s broken unemployment system, which was created by hard working residents for times like this, must release the funds now for the millions of Florida’s hardworking families.”