Protestors gathered in downtown Orlando Monday to voice their concerns about low wages in the metro Orlando area.
Roughly 30 people, and some children, carried signs and marched down Orange Avenue to raise awareness of what they see as a low wage problem in Central Florida.
According to a U.S Department of Labor study, workers in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average hourly wage of $19.33 in May 2014, about 15 percent below the nationwide average of $22.71.
Protesters say they hope the Labor Day march will lead government leaders to pay attention to the working poor.
“There needs to be a coalition of leaders in the community that are not afraid to admit that in the most popular city in the world that we actually have some challenges when it comes to the working poor and poverty,” said Eric Gray from Step Up Against Poverty Orlando.
Gray says he and his group do not have all the answers. He is hoping Monday’s effort will start a dialogue that leads to a solution.
The City of Orlando released the following statement regarding the wage study:
One of Mayor Dyer's top priorities has been to support the growth of new industry clusters including life sciences and digital media. Investments in infrastructure like SunRail and our community venues help Orlando to attract new businesses and cultivate an environment that attracts start ups and entrepreneurs. With these efforts to diversify our local economy, beyond our foundation of the tourism industry, are aimed at creating higher quality and higher paying job opportunities for our residents.