Posted inNews
Wells Fargo workers in Central Florida vote to unionize
Employees at a Wells Fargo branch in Apopka voted unanimously to join Wells Fargo Workers United
McKenna Schueler
General news reporter for Orlando Weekly, with a focus on state and local government and workers' rights. You can find her bylines in Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, In These Times, and Facing South.
Posted inNews
Orange County launches new fentanyl test strip program to help curb drug overdose
Project leaders plan to distribute test strips at bars downtown and during events deemed high-risk, like music festivals
Posted inNews
Walgreens to close Orlando distribution center, lay off hundreds
Employees are expected to be laid off in May
Posted inNews
University of Central Florida students advocate for free emergency contraception on campus
Students secured their first victory when the administration lowered the cost of generic Plan B to $6.
Posted inNews
Florida Legislature approves bill blocking local workplace heat protection standards
HB 433 prevents cities and counties from requiring employers to provide shade and water to outdoor workers
Posted inNews
Florida Legislature approves bills to weaken Florida’s child labor laws
The legislation now heads to Gov. DeSantis for his signature or veto
Posted inNews
Florida Legislature passes follow-up to union reform bill, sends it off to DeSantis
The ‘glitch legislation’ closes holes in a sweeping anti-union law passed last year that has already caused thousands of public employees to lose their union representation
Posted inFood + Drink
Deadwords Brewing will close at the end of April
The brewery cited ‘immense challenges’ including ‘the slow implementation of the Parramore Main Street development program’
Posted inNews
Orange County school district agrees to delay health insurance hikes, raise pay for school staff
The district reached a tentative agreement with the local teachers’ union after a nearly nine-hour public hearing Tuesday
Posted inNews
HCA nurses in Central Florida rally for hospital improvements as union contract talks kick off
The primary issue nurses hope to bring attention to is short-staffing
Posted inNews
The battle over Florida’s unions is driven by political favors, out-of-state interest groups, and confusion
‘Florida has become a billionaire’s playground’
Posted inNews
Bipartisan bill allowing more teen labor on construction sites nears finish line
The bill cleared the Florida Senate on Friday with unanimous support.
Posted inNews
Florida House votes to allow more teen labor on construction sites
The bill passed the Republican-dominated House in a 84-30 vote, with several Democrats joining Republicans in support.
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Orange County school board and teachers’ union spar over start time for impasse hearing on health insurance rate hike
The board says teachers won’t be able to talk during the hearing anyway, while the union argues that teachers still deserve the right to be there
Posted inNews
Florida senator revamps industry-backed teen labor bill in preparation for full Senate vote
HB 49, originally written by a right-wing think tank, was watered down after a flood of pushback
Posted inNews
Wells Fargo workers at Apopka bank file petition to unionize
It’s the second Wells Fargo branch in Florida to petition for union representation
Posted inNews
Orlando nonprofit Skate Bud looks to expand and improve Florida’s skateparks for youth
Their Legalize Wheels initiative works with local governments to help empower at-risk kids
Posted inNews
Florida bill weakening child labor protections on construction sites heads to full Senate
The bill fits within a trend of proposed child labor rollbacks popping up in state legislatures across the country.
Posted inNews
Orange County poised to use federal pandemic relief funds to cancel medical debt
If approved, Orange County would be the first county in Florida to move forward with such an initiative.
Posted inNews
Orlando City Council likely to extend moratorium on new nightclubs downtown
It’s likely that no new nightclubs will be coming to downtown Orlando for at least another six months.