without shade, without rest
In the wake of the hottest year on record, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and WeCount! fight to secure critical heat protections for Florida’s outdoor workers. But as temperatures soar, their efforts face an uncertain future, with state lawmakers pushing to strip away these vital safeguards.
Without Shade, Without Rest examines the growing concern over heat protections for outdoor workers in Florida, where record-breaking temperatures and recent political developments are shaping the conversation.
The film begins by exploring the work of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), a labor rights organization in Immokalee, Florida, known for its development of the Fair Food Program. This initiative has led to significant improvements in worker protections within the food industry supply chain, offering a model for addressing workplace challenges in the face of climate change-driven heat waves.
The narrative follows the Fair Food Education Team as they visit fields to inform workers about their rights and safety protocols for managing heat exposure.
The story then shifts to Miami, where the WeCount! organization launched the Que Calor campaign to advocate for local heat protection laws. However, recent state legislation, including two newly passed bills, has aimed to roll back requirements for employers to implement heat safeguards.
These laws, which mirror legislation passed in Texas and have been dubbed the "Death Star Bill" by some critics, will impact over half a million outdoor workers across Florida.
Supporters, including Republican lawmakers, argue that the legislation simplifies an inconsistent patchwork of regulations. Senator Dennis Bailey, a Republican from Orange County, stated, “I don’t think we need a nanny government standing over every person who might get too hot today.”
As temperatures continue to climb and heat-related health risks increase, Without Shade, Without Rest highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the balance between worker protections and regulatory approaches.