As for this whole “not allowed to walk through cars” thing, if any of you have been on a small ferry, they do pack the cars very close together. I can understand people not wanting their $100,000 cars scratched up by keys and zippers, but I don’t necessarily think that’s the reason for the rule.

When you park your car on a ferry, many people don’t put on the emergency brake. If you don’t, your car is very likely to rock back and forth with the movement of the boat. In which scenario would a worker be more likely to sue: 1. An expensive car rolled 2” pinning his leg to the car in front of it and bruising his leg; or 2. The employee had to sit in the shade for another 5 minutes waiting for the next boat to come?

It seems to me that this is purely a safety and liability issue, not a Racist or Discriminating one. But don't let me stop you from jumping on the band-wagon of "worker's rights". Especially since these workers probobly make more than you do!

John, NJ, US

DEAR FRIENDS

i was at the event which was a wonderful, peaceful and safe protest which had over 250 individuals from very diverse sectors of South Florida...

It is time that the management negotiates with the union and the workers... this campaign has now expanded and even more people want to join this effort.. The residents need to demand that management negotiate in a fair and just manner so that they will not feel the public pressure and ridicule...

I for one will continue to organize and pray until justice prevails..

I know that reasonable people can come to a quick and just solution to this stalemate.

my very best
leno rose-avila Miami , Flroida

leno rose-avila , miami , florida

Very nice but very expensive

Perolillas, Ataquines, Spain

Residents, as well as workers do not squeeze by the cars in fear of scratching their paint. A zipper on someone's bag is enough to scratch the car; the way this portion of the article is worded is either biased or simply unintelligent.
Furthermore, the mention of discrimination against Hispanic employees is completely absurd considering how large a portion of the population there is, in fact, Hispanic. Fisher Island represents one of the most diverse communities in America, consisting of people from all over the world and of every background.

JP, Miami Beach, FL

Re Chuck's comment: "Once the residents have a hard time getting the jobs done that they once took for granted, they will consider better treatment and pay for their employees."

Unfortunately, that never happens, because there will be a flood of other workers desirous of the job. Why not fight for the rights that one rightly deserves? If your co-worker was fired for walking through a line of cars to rest, what are the chances that you or another co-worker will get fired for some lame rule? Everyone has a right to unionize; making threats and following upon them in fear of a unionization is a violation of the NLRB.

Miami, Miami,

Stop the whining people or I'll have to send you off to the mainland...umkay?

Besides my poodle, 'Foo-Foo', doesn't like your tone.

Benny Richguy, Willis, Texas

USD$80 per day isn't too bad.
Here in the Gulf, Indian and Bangladeshi workers are lucky to get USD$200 a month. Some of thier employers, believe it or not, have even more cash in the bank.

R Smith, Manama, Bahrain

Yes this is one issue I hope Global Warming will take care of.

Peter, Orlando,

This is absolutely absurd. From what I've read, they pay the employees well above the going rates ($8.50 starting salary for a non-english speaking dish washer with 80% subsidized health care that only costs $44/month and a matching 401k).

This sounds like yet another ploy by unions to try to make money for themselves...they are the only ones who will get rich by doing this.

If 100 people could "invade" the island, then it's not very secure after all is it?

I can't believe people actually believe there is a white vs. black issue. The youtube video makes ridiculous claims using Martin Luther King's fight for freedom as a comparison to the 19 ex-employees.
For a company that manages 600+ employees, to have 3% disgruntled is pretty good (especially when you assume that there is probably high turnover resulting in most likely 800+ workers per year).

This is America, where anyone can "make it"! Without those at the top, what would drive us to reach for a better life

Peter, New York,

This whole tempest in a teapot is so insane. As the previous writer has stated, "if you don't like the conditions, go somewhere else to work. Stop whining about what's never going to happen, i.e. expecting wealthy people to respect low wage workers. These wealthy residents have no incentive to even care about their employees. If that makes them insensitive bores, so be it. There's no law requiring them to be socially sensitive or aware. Workers on Fisher Island come there by their own impetus to work. They can leave in the same manner. This whole event is just such overblown press nonsense.

Bob Vandermeer, Benicia, USA/ California

A piece devoted to stoking "the politics of envy." How unique.

Gamle-ged, Nokomis, Florida

This is absolutely absurd. From what I've read, they pay the employees well above the going rates ($8.50 starting salary for a non-english speaking dish washer with 80% subsidized health care that only costs $44/month and a matching 401k).

This sounds like yet another ploy by unions to try to make money for themselves...they are the only ones who will get rich by doing this.

If 100 people could "invade" the island, then it's not very secure after all is it?

I can't believe people actually believe there is a white vs. black issue. The youtube video makes ridiculous claims using Martin Luther King's fight for freedom as a comparison to the 19 ex-employees.

For a company that manages 600+ employees, to have 3% disgruntled is pretty good (especially when you assume that there is probably high turnover resulting in most likely 800+ workers per year).

This is America, where anyone can "make it"! Without those at the top, what would drive us to reach for a better life

Peter, New York,

SEIU....a Union...of people who work in the 'service' field....Hotels, restaurants etc...Ms Hillary Clintoon must be smiling.....I doubt if the people on Fisher Island employe anyone from the SEIU.....

Mr Tim, San Marcos , U S of A /Ca

Unfortunately, the wealthy do have the ability to buy privately the sort of segregation that is illegal for public venues to practice (ie the ferry and the beaches are private property)

If the workers feel that they are underpaid, underappreciated, or just being treated unfairly, they should vote with their feet and go after jobs in Miami where all of them live anyway. This is not a true "plantation" or "serfdom". The employees can quit anytime they want. Once the residents have a hard time getting the jobs done that they once took for granted, they will consider better treatment and pay for their employees.

Chuck Bailey, Lithia, FL