Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez is seeking a meeting with Florida Governor Charlie Crist over the state's plan to purchase the holdings of U.S. Sugar as part of a laudable Florida Everglades restoration plan. The recently announced plan has the potential to severely impact the economy in and around Clewiston, FL, where the IAM represents more than 1,000 sugar workers.
"While we applaud your concern for the environment generally and for the ecological importance of the Everglades specifically, we have always believed that environmental concerns are fully compatible with jobs and a vibrant economy," said GVP Martinez in a letter to Gov. Crist. "We hope that the people's governor is ready to help reconcile these two worthy goals – but always putting people first."
The IAM's concern starts with the 400 members who work at U.S. Sugar, and the 625 members at Florida Crystal, but also the other workers in and around Clewiston, FL.
"Clewiston is without argument an irreplaceable part of Florida's economic and cultural fabric. Like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting, it's a town of 6,500 working families supported mostly by the sugar industry," said Martinez.
The IAM and GVP Martinez are hoping to work with the Governor to find ways to simultaneously save jobs and protect South Florida's unique environment.
