McKenna Schueler, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

John Morgan sitting in front of a microphone

John Morgan boasts about recording staff at home, a policy that pushed 23 employees to quit

“We’re going to put a camera on your computer. We’re going to put a camera up your ass.”

by McKenna Schueler September 3, 2026September 3, 2026

While billionaire Orlando attorney John Morgan’s law firm fights to protect the rights of U.S. workers, Morgan revealed last week that he’s not above creating a surveillance state for his own workforce. Speaking to hosts of the podcast “Iced Coffee Hour,” Morgan said that when his personal injury firm, Morgan & Morgan, created its work-from-home […]

In win for union, Tampa International Airport will not move forward with privatized TSA Gold+ program

The shift would have privatized jobs and eliminated the rights and benefits of federal TSA officers, who criticized the move.

by McKenna Schueler August 24, 2026August 24, 2026

A dolphin and a trainer at Discovery Cove in Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando ordered to post ‘We violated federal labor law’ notice at park

SeaWorld was ordered by the federal labor board to cease and desist and post an “Oops, we violated federal labor law” notice at Discovery Cove.

by McKenna Schueler July 29, 2026July 29, 2026

A photograph of Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a press conference in Coral Gables, Florida, on October 21, 2024. In the center of a raised stage, the governor stands at a microphone behind a dark blue podium featuring a prominent sign that reads "DOCTORS AGAINST AMENDMENT 4" in bold white text. The governor is dressed in a dark suit and tie. Flanking the podium on both sides is a group of approximately ten medical professionals wearing white lab coats over their clothing. Behind the gathering, six large flags are displayed in a row, alternating between the United States flag and the Florida state flag against a neutral tan wall framed by deep red curtains. The photograph is captured from the back of the room, showing the blurred silhouettes of audience members seated in rows of chairs in the foreground.

Florida budget includes $29.5 million for the Florida Pregnancy Care Network

The state program that promotes controversial anti-abortion pregnancy resource centers.

by McKenna Schueler July 10, 2026July 10, 2026

A medium-shot, indoor group photograph of four people posing together at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Chicago. From left to right: Barbara Toepke, wearing a dark gray t-shirt over a light-colored long-sleeve top; Norwood Orrick, wearing a black t-shirt and dark-rimmed glasses; Ruddy Pimentel, wearing a red t-shirt with Norwood's left arm raised in a solidarity fist; and Adam Shils, wearing a light blue and white plaid button-down shirt. All four individuals are wearing conference lanyards with name tags around their necks. They are smiling and standing close together, with the lobby's warm interior, comfortable lounge furniture, and a television screen playing a sports match visible in the background.

Union members from Tampa Bay among workers from across the globe at Labor Notes conference

The enthusiasm for a bigger, stronger organized labor movement was reflected last weekend in Chicago..

by McKenna Schueler June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

A daytime photograph of a group of workers holding a labor rally outside the USF Health campus in Tampa. In the foreground, several individuals wearing matching purple t-shirts are holding a large purple banner that reads '32BJ SEIU Stronger Together.' They are raising various handmade and printed protest signs with messages including 'SSC We deserve affordable Healthcare,' 'Electricians, Maintenance and Custodial workers stand United,' and the Spanish phrase 'SSC! Basta de Promesas incumplidas.'

‘So many broken promises’: Blue-collar workers at USF protest for union contact, higher wages, affordable healthcare

It’s been about a year and a half since the University of South Florida in Tampa unilaterally privatized.

by McKenna Schueler and Dave Decker May 1, 2026May 1, 2026

A woman at a May Day protest in Ybor City holds a large, hand-painted sign above her head that reads "PAY YOUR WORKERS FAIRLY" in bold black letters on a white background. She is wearing a blue sleeveless top, a sun hat, and glasses. In the blurred background, other protesters and supporters gather on a tree-lined street under bright daylight.

Tampa conference is a ‘gathering of union busters,’ according to local labor leaders

CUE—formerly known as the Council on Union-Free Environment—is coming to downtown starting April 19.

by McKenna Schueler April 16, 2026April 17, 2026

A group of thirteen people stand together in a breakroom or meeting space, all raising one fist in a gesture of solidarity. They are dressed in casual and work attire, including t-shirts and polo shirts, smiling toward the camera. The room has grey walls with blue wainscoting, several rows of blue plastic chairs in the foreground, and long white tables along the side.

Union push at Tampa International Airport sees restaurant workers asking contractor for fair process to organize

Employees of SPP America want the same benefits as their unionized counterparts in Orlando.

by McKenna Schueler February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

Two people stand close together smiling in a room decorated with music memorabilia and green walls. The individual on the left wears a dark blazer over a checkered button-down shirt and tan trousers, while the individual on the right wears a dark, floral-patterned v-neck dress and a name tag. In the background, another person stands with crossed arms near a sofa.

Democratic socialist Richie Floyd, St. Pete’s youngest councilperson, officially launches re-election campaign

He was named council vice chair this month.

by McKenna Schueler January 27, 2026January 27, 2026

Clearwater Starbucks workers join nearly 4,000 baristas on strike

Workers are asking customers and their communities to boycott Starbucks for as long as they’re on strike—meaning no gift cards, no coffee and no holiday merch.

by McKenna Schueler December 12, 2025December 13, 2025

A self-driving white Jaguar I-PACE with a California license plate is parked or driving in a sunny city street, with other cars and storefronts blurred in the background. The vehicle's distinctive black Waymo sensor hardware is clearly visible on the roof.

Driverless taxi company Waymo eyes expansion to Tampa

It could be a year before Tampa residents will actually be able to ride in a driver-free taxi.

by Ray Roa and McKenna Schueler December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

Representative Michelle Salzman stands and speaks into a microphone during a legislative session, wearing a plaid blazer over a white top, with a painting of a historic building in the background

Florida Republican wants to decriminalize drug testing tools

Rep. Michelle Salzman’s bill would make it legal to use testing strips, and could help curb overdose deaths.

by McKenna Schueler November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

Portrait of a smiling man with a beard, wearing a black suit and tie, clapping his hands together outdoors at a campaign event.

Florida politicians react to New Yorkers picking democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani to be their mayor

Tampa Bay has just one democratic socialist currently in local elected office.

by McKenna Schueler November 7, 2025November 7, 2025

Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani (Democrat) stands at a desk, wearing a tan blazer and a green top, speaking into a handheld microphone. She has long dark hair and is addressing colleagues in the legislative chamber. A large blue mural featuring a manatee is visible on the back wall.

Florida Democrats call on DeSantis to act before SNAP assistance gets delayed during government shutdown

Millions could see benefits for November delayed if the U.S. government shutdown stretches into next month.

by McKenna Schueler October 23, 2025October 23, 2025

A topiary of the Disney character Goofy stands in a vibrant flower bed under a blue sky. Goofy is made of green foliage and is holding a small bouquet of red and white flowers in one raised hand. He is surrounded by colorful flowers, including large, oversized pink and yellow blossoms, with palm trees and park buildings in the background.

Arbitrator blocks labor strike at Disney’s Epcot in Orlando

Disney argued a strike by employees of one of its contractors would violate a separate union contract Disney has that covers its own employees.

by McKenna Schueler October 15, 2025October 20, 2025

Government shutdown dooms thousands of Central Floridians to work unpaid

‘Once again, we are told our work is essential, but our livelihoods are treated as expendable,’ said one Orlando International Airport TSA officer

by McKenna Schueler October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

Florida’s minimum wage rises to $14 an hour

Florida now has the highest minimum wage in the geographic South, thanks to a historic vote by Floridians in 2020.

by McKenna Schueler October 1, 2025October 1, 2025

A portrait of Jose Javier Rodriguez, a man with a receding hairline, standing with his arms crossed. He is smiling warmly at the camera and wearing a blue pinstripe suit, a light blue shirt, and a tie. The background is a blurred, lush green park with a body of water behind him.

If elected as attorney general, José Rodriguez vows to actually enforce Florida minimum wage law

The AG has the power to fine employers found to have willfully violated minimum wage requirements—there is no evidence that the office has ever done this in the 20 years they’ve had the authority.

by McKenna Schueler September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

Orlando’s Pulse rainbow crosswalk was painted over. St. Pete mayor says his city’s Pride crosswalk mural could be next

by Selene San Felice and McKenna Schueler August 21, 2025August 30, 2025

Central Florida union busters are failing to comply with federal law, report says

Federal records show that Allain—affiliated with the firm Rallain Consulting LLC in Land O’ Lakes—didn’t file a report disclosing his own persuader activity for companies last year either.

by McKenna Schueler July 24, 2025August 5, 2025