LA Labor Movement and Fight for Workers’ Rights

Immigration History America is a land of

immigrants.

More than 100 years ago, immigrants from Europe, including Ireland, Italy, Poland, and Russia, built some of the first unions.

Today, most immigrants come from Latin America and Asia, and are following the tradition of working hard for low wages.

Key Issues re Immigrant Workers

Right to Organize – Undocumented workers continue to be considered “employees” under the NLRA

Right to Minimum Wage & Overtime

Right to be free from workplace discrimination

Right to a healthy and safe working environment

1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)

Granted Amnesty to estimated 3-4 million undocumented immigrants.

Family Unity Program

Special Agricultural Worker Program

Employer Sanction

6-15-90 Justice for Janitors

LAPD beat up and abused Janitors and their supporters during a peaceful demonstration in Century City.

1992 “Drywalleros” Strike

Thousands of wokrers from the residential construction industry participated in a massive strike that shut down the industry from San Diego to Ventura. 2,400 drywalleros became members of the Carpenters Union.

1995

Miguel Contreras is elected Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of

Labor

1998 74,000 home care workers vote to form a union

with Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

AFL-CIO Supports Immigrant Rights in 2000

1.) the repeal of employer sanctions

2.) legalization for the millions of undocumented immigrants in the US; and

3.) increased workplace protections for immigrants

June 6, 2000 Community Forum on Immigrant Workers’ Rights

at LA Sports Arena

Over 20,000 mostly immigrants attended to show support for the AFL-CIO declaration to support a new legalization program.

2003 Immigrant Workers Freedom

Ride

March 25, 2006

Brian Chang, LAT, 5/1/06 Damon Winter, LAT, 5/1/06

Robert Gauthier, LA Times 5/1/2006

2006 Maria Elena Durazo is elected Executive Secretary

Treasurer of the LA County Federation of Labor

2007 Hotel Worker Rising Campaign

2007-8 Campaign for Justice at LAX Hotels

June 2008 New Contracts for Janitors of SEIU Local 1877

2007 Safe and Clean Ports Campaign

SECURITY OFFICERS UNITED IN LOS ANGELES LOCAL 2006

Respect in 2007 SOULA is the first city-wide Security Officers Union in L.A. This year, thousands of Security Officers across Los Angeles are uniting to win a strong contract.

Worker Centers

2001 Forever 21 Boycott Campaign

1998-99 Justice for Koreatown Restaurant Workers

Campaign

National Day Laborers Organizing Network (NDLON)

2009 Campaign of la Asoiciación de Loncheros

La Asociación de Loncheros L.A. Familia Unida de California cree que la industria “lonchera” es un recurso muy valioso en el progreso económico y socio-cultural de Los Ángeles. Por eso creemos que la los dueños/operadores de loncheras tienen el derecho de ganarse la vida honradamente en sus área de trabajo y por lo tanto, su progreso se debe permitir en un país libre y con un buen mercado competitivo.

Connection between Worker Centers and Labor Movement

August 2006 NDLON forms a solidarity partnership with

the AFL-CIO

October 2006 – NDLON partnership with Laborers’ Union

2008

CLEAN Car Wash Campaign

Major Victory against the Pirians

AFL-CIO Partners with National Domestic Workers Alliance