Build a Better Miami

For workers, for tenants, for all of us.

Our Coalition

The Build a Better Miami Coalition is a coalition of community organizations and labor unions in South Florida. We are uniting to demand a Community Benefits Agreement for workers, tenants, and community residents on Swerdlow Group’s proposed redevelopment project in the City of Miami.

Behind the Skyline

Labor Conditions in South Florida’s Commercial Construction Industry

What is a Community Benefits Agreement?

A binding agreement between a developer and community organizations to set standards on a specific project to: promote responsible and equitable development and guarantee protections and benefits for the workers, tenants, community residents, and small businesses impacted by the project.

The Project:
Swerdlow Group

$3 billion: The largest redevelopment project in the history of Miami.

Our Priorities

    • Prioritize High Road Contractors and Commercial Tenants who treat their workers fairly and comply with labor and employment laws.

    • Require Construction Employers to provide or mandate OSHA Safety Training for all construction workers and supervisors.

    • Require Construction Employers to maintain and implement a Heat Illness Prevention Plan (HIPP) to prevent heat-related illnesses and injuries.

    • Require Permanent Employers with 15 or more employees to pay at least the Living Wage to all of their workers.

    • Require Permanent Employers to adopt a Local Hiring Goal to recruit and hire local residents from Little Haiti and Little River.

    • Fund a non-profit Independent Monitoring Program to inspect worksites and ensure year-round compliance with labor and employment laws.

    • Guarantee at least 50% of all residential units shall be set aside for Affordable Housing for households earning 50-70% AMI.

    • Ensure that all Affordable Housing units are built and maintained to the same standards as Workforce and Market-Rate units.

    • Contribute to a a Small Business Grants Program to protect local small businesses from displacement.

Why We Need a CBA?

Miami has one of the largest construction markets in the country. Despite this development boom, tens of thousands of construction workers in Miami are facing a labor crisis across the industry, including wage theft, lack of protections from extreme heat, and dangerous working conditions. Every 4 days, a construction worker dies in Florida, and Miami-Dade contributes to 15% of these worker fatalities.

At the same time as this labor crisis has escalated, working people are experiencing a housing crisis. Rents have increased by 55% since 2020, contributing to widespread housing insecurity and displacement. We are fighting to win a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) to ensure that this historic redevelopment project sets a new standard and protects our workers and residents in Miami.

Luciano

Construction worker and WeCount! member

Santos

Construction worker and WeCount! member

Aldo

Construction worker and WeCount! member

Arturo

Construction worker and WeCount! member

In the News

Miami Herald

More Perfect Union

WLRN

Take Action!

Stand with workers, tenants, and residents in Miami and help us win a Community Benefits Agreement! Fill out this form and we’ll be in touch with you.

Coalition Members

Contact us.

Zaina Alsous
Director, Build a Better Miami
zaina@we-count.org

WeCount!, Inc.
P.O. Box 344116
Florida City, FL 33034