U.S Representative Connie Mack returned to his roots yesterday – to the business in his hometown of Cape Coral that gave him his first job in high school.  The Republican lawmaker says Marine Concepts is a perfect example of a small business struggling to stay afloat under the policies of the Obama Administration.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker prepared this report.

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.

A
century ago children looked forward to getting an orange in their
Christmas stocking – a treat many enjoyed just once a year.  After
World War II the Florida citrus industry took off and many baby boomers
grew up starting their day with a glass of O.J.  Now the rarity that
became a commodity is threatened by a major epidemic.  WGCU’s Valerie
Alker reports.

While the economic downturn is cutting into sales at many department stores and boutiques - business is brisk at Goodwill stores across the state. Goodwill Industries opened two new retail stores in Southwest Florida this year – one in Bonita Springs and another in Clewiston.  Retail store sales provide 85 percent of the revenue Goodwill uses to fulfill its primary mission – to help people with barriers to employment find jobs.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more in this report.

Florida
citrus growers are crying “foul”.  Florida Citrus Mutual wants the
federal government to keep one Brazilian citrus grower from selling
cheap orange juice cheap in the U.S. - creating a tough financial
burden for Florida growers.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.

A
major food service provider called The Compass Group has signed onto an
agreement to pay tomato pickers more. They’re the latest entity to
support the penny a pound initiative championed by the Coalition of
Immokalee Workers.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

The
pressure of choosing the right college can be daunting. The Southwest
Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hopes to make it a little easier
with a first of its kind program this weekend.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez
reports.

A merger is underway between two area chapters of Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
 WGCU’s Mike Kiniry reports.

Hendry County is competing to become the site of an inland port storage facility. WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more.

Hundreds
of Grouper fishermen in Florida are unable to work right now because of
concerns the fishermen’s methods may be killing too many Loggerhead Sea
Turtles.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.