After years of struggle, tomato pickers in Florida will soon see a pay increase.

In a surprise move Tuesday, the Florida Tomato Exchange agreed to pay migrant workers the extra penny per pound the Coalition of Immokalee Workers has fought for the last three years.The Exchange said it will allow companies like McDonalds and Burger King to pay the extra penny per pound to workers if they choose. It represents growers producing 75 percent of all Florida tomatoes.Those companies will pay a supplemental wage based on the amount of tomatoes purchased. The money will be divided among the migrant workers on a weekly basis.

Exchange Vice President Reggie Brown says it’s a move to allow those companies to have social accountability.

“That enables them to pass funds to the migrant worker community and we’re willing to take those funds in our payroll period and distribute those funds to the workers,” Brown said.

Lucas Benitez, spokesman for the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, says it’s about time.He says the Exchange has resisted the pay increase for years, but now is spinning its change in position to make it appear the pay increase was the growers’ idea.

“The lies they made at the beginning when they said that it was impossible to pay the extra penny to the workers, now they’re saying they can. Those lies they’ve been making throughout our campaign – they’re now trying to retract,” Benitez said.

The money collected from companies like Burger King and Subway has been sitting in an escrow. Benitez says that will soon be distributed to the workers. The exchange also agreed to regular audits and a code of conduct to allow workers to more easily complain about working conditions.

After years of struggle, tomato pickers in Florida will soon see a pay increase.

In a surprise move Tuesday, the Florida Tomato Exchange agreed to pay migrant workers the extra penny per pound the Coalition of Immokalee Workers has fought for the last three years.The Exchange said it will allow companies like McDonalds and Burger King to pay the extra penny per pound to workers if they choose. It represents growers producing 75 percent of all Florida tomatoes.Those companies will pay a supplemental wage based on the amount of tomatoes purchased. The money will be divided among the migrant workers on a weekly basis.

Exchange Vice President Reggie Brown says it’s a move to allow those companies to have social accountability.

“That enables them to pass funds to the migrant worker community and we’re willing to take those funds in our payroll period and distribute those funds to the workers,” Brown said.

Lucas Benitez, spokesman for the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, says it’s about time.He says the Exchange has resisted the pay increase for years, but now is spinning its change in position to make it appear the pay increase was the growers’ idea.

“The lies they made at the beginning when they said that it was impossible to pay the extra penny to the workers, now they’re saying they can. Those lies they’ve been making throughout our campaign – they’re now trying to retract,” Benitez said.

The money collected from companies like Burger King and Subway has been sitting in an escrow. Benitez says that will soon be distributed to the workers. The exchange also agreed to regular audits and a code of conduct to allow workers to more easily complain about working conditions.

The April 15th income tax filing deadline is still two months away but IRS officials encourage filing early, and online.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez  reports.

Many United Way Chapters around the country are adjusting their fundraising goals this year to reflect the downturn in the economy.  But not the United Way of Lee Hendry and Glades Counties.  With just two weeks left in the campaign it’s pushing toward its 8 million dollar goal – dollars it says provide a crucial safety net in an area hard hit by the recession.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

Many United Way Chapters around the country are adjusting their fundraising goals this year to reflect the downturn in the economy.  But not the United Way of Lee Hendry and Glades Counties.  With just two weeks left in the campaign it’s pushing toward its 8 million dollar goal – dollars it says provide a crucial safety net in an area hard hit by the recession.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rejected legal petitions last week calling for more protection for Florida Panthers.  Environmental advocates say they’ll keep fighting to preserve habitat for the endangered cats.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

A planned visit to Southwest Florida last week by the ambassadors of Luxemburg and Austria was delayed because of bad weather in Washington DC.  But another trip is planned.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

As Florida lawmakers prepare to deal with another tight budget in the upcoming legislative session, state universities are asking for more money; twice as much to be exact. It’s part of an initiative that they say will hopefully create a new knowledge-based economy for the state.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.

As Florida lawmakers prepare to deal with another tight budget in the upcoming legislative session, state universities are asking for more money; twice as much to be exact. It’s part of an initiative that they say will hopefully create a new knowledge-based economy for the state.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.

Governor Charlie Crist says he wants more money for K-through-12 public education.  He’s proposing a 500-million dollar budget increase.  But, that may depend on lawmakers agreeing to the Seminole gambling pact, and the state winning a federal grant.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.