without shade, without rest
the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and wecount! work to transform Florida’s agricultural industry. But in the wake of the hottest year on record, their efforts to secure heat-related protections for farmworkers face an uncertain future as Florida lawmakers seek to ban them.
Without Shade, Without Rest explores the urgent need for heat protections for outdoor workers amid record-breaking temperatures and political resistance.
The film begins with the story of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), a transformative labor rights organization based in Immokalee, Florida. The CIW developed the Fair Food Program, which eradicated exploitation and abuse within the food industry supply chain, revolutionizing worker protections in an era of climate change-driven heat waves.
The film follows the Fair Food Education Team as they visit fields to educate workers about their rights and heat safety protocols.
The narrative then shifts to Miami, where WeCount’s Que Calor campaign fought for local heat protection laws. However, two recently passed state bills aim to eliminate all requirements for employers to safeguard workers from extreme heat.
Modeled after similar legislation in Texas—dubbed the “Death Star Bill” by labor activists—these laws will impact more than half a million outdoor workers across Florida.
Republican proponents argue that the legislation simplifies a patchwork of regulations. Senator Dennis Bailey, a Republican from Orange County, opposed heat regulations, stating, “I don’t think we need a nanny government standing over every person who might get too hot today.”
As temperatures continue to reach record highs and heat-related deaths rise, Without Shade, Without Rest underscores the growing need for effective protections for outdoor workers.