Bright and early last Friday morning, Jeanette and I dropped by four day laborer corners to spread the word over the new Wage Theft Ordinance. Prepared with fliers we had previously made, summarizing wage theft and steps to take in order to make a claim with Small Business Development, we approached the workers, who first were skeptical and hesitant. But after conversationally talking with them, we were able to build some trust and confidence. By the end of the visit at the first Home Depot location, the workers were bunched together, interested in what we had to say and asking us further questions about making a complaint.
At the other corners, we had similar reactions and eventually ran out of our fliers (but not water!). It was very interesting to see what kind of information the workers reacted most to. For next time, we'll have to mend the flier to make it more applicable.
During one stop, we surprisingly ran into a worker who had already turned in a complaint form! Accompanying him were two friends/workers who told us that they were doing the same the following week. How great to see the ordinance already in use and how bizarre that we ran into one of its users!
Over all, I'm glad we got to spread some word about the ordinance to day laborers. And I feel that I definitely gained a better understanding of the average day of a day laborer, even if just a small amount.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Women's Coop
Yesterday, I attend
ed a Wage Theft Task Force meeting in which more details on the Implementing Order were discussed. Afterwards, since the meeting was held at Chuch by the Sea in Bal Harbour, I got to see the kitchen in which the new women's coop would operate.
The Community Stewards Catering Cooperative is made up of women who have worked mainly as housekeepers and caregivers and who are dedicated to educate others, especially women, on issues related to worker justice and rights.
ed a Wage Theft Task Force meeting in which more details on the Implementing Order were discussed. Afterwards, since the meeting was held at Chuch by the Sea in Bal Harbour, I got to see the kitchen in which the new women's coop would operate.The Community Stewards Catering Cooperative is made up of women who have worked mainly as housekeepers and caregivers and who are dedicated to educate others, especially women, on issues related to worker justice and rights.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Back from Detroit
At the beginning of the forum, I attended a workshop put on by Domestic Workers United, which focused primarily on the New York State campaign for the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights. (It was passed last thursday - July 1st)
On the panel were workers and organizers who had been working with the campaign for about six years. Though not all of the proposed benefits were approved by the state, the passage of the Bill of Rights marks a significant victory for domestic workers, who are explicitly excluded from most labor laws and protections.
During the next few days, I participated in workshops on wage theft and immigration reform and heard of the work being done across the country - especially in New York and California.
Apart from the workshops, I saw a great deal of people representing domestic worker and worker justice groups at the forum.
During my first week back, I have been interviewing more workers on health and safety in the workplace in addition to putting together information on domestic workers to educate the public more on the issues that they face daily.
On the panel were workers and organizers who had been working with the campaign for about six years. Though not all of the proposed benefits were approved by the state, the passage of the Bill of Rights marks a significant victory for domestic workers, who are explicitly excluded from most labor laws and protections.
During the next few days, I participated in workshops on wage theft and immigration reform and heard of the work being done across the country - especially in New York and California.
Apart from the workshops, I saw a great deal of people representing domestic worker and worker justice groups at the forum.
During my first week back, I have been interviewing more workers on health and safety in the workplace in addition to putting together information on domestic workers to educate the public more on the issues that they face daily.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
First weeks
Hello,
My name is Nicole and I am one of the new interns working with South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice this summer. I am currently an undergraduate studying Political Science at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. I'm very excited to be involved with worker justice in the South Florida community.
During the past two weeks, I have been drafting questions to use for interviewing domestic workers on health and safety in the workplace. IWJ has chosen to focus on domestic workers in part because they are a group hard to organize and one that is often poorly represented. These workers will routinely use cleaning chemicals that are dangerous for the body, with no prior knowledge or training about the harmful effects. In addition, domestic workers often have to pick-up heavy things, like furniture, children, and boxes, which leads to serious back pain. By collecting information and stories on the nature of domestic work, I hope that I can help IWJ educate the community on the hardships that these workers face daily.
On Wednesday, June 9th, I was present at a demonstration held outside the office of Senator George LeMieux in hopes to continue letting him know that the South Florida community is in favor of Dream Act and AgJobs. The Dream Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) would make possible for many undocumented students, who have lived in the United States most of their lives, the opportunity to gain temporary residency while they either obtain a Bachelor's degree or serve in the U.S. military for two years. According to the National Immigration Law Center, 65,000 students graduate from high school each year who would be qualified for the act's benefits. AgJobs (Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act) would allow undocumented agricultural workers to the opportunity to obtain a temporary blue card, while they continue work in hopes of receiving permanent residency after three years. It was exciting to see so many people participating at the demonstration, showing support towards both the worker and youth community.
Next week, I will be attending the second U.S. Social Forum in Detroit, Michigan. The purpose of the forum is for groups and organizations from all around the country to come together and share ideas and resources about the how to address the current social and economic issues. In short, the forum will focus on movement building. I will be going to workshops on wage theft and domestic worker rights, among other things. I am very much looking forward to it and will update here on what I've learned.
My name is Nicole and I am one of the new interns working with South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice this summer. I am currently an undergraduate studying Political Science at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. I'm very excited to be involved with worker justice in the South Florida community.
During the past two weeks, I have been drafting questions to use for interviewing domestic workers on health and safety in the workplace. IWJ has chosen to focus on domestic workers in part because they are a group hard to organize and one that is often poorly represented. These workers will routinely use cleaning chemicals that are dangerous for the body, with no prior knowledge or training about the harmful effects. In addition, domestic workers often have to pick-up heavy things, like furniture, children, and boxes, which leads to serious back pain. By collecting information and stories on the nature of domestic work, I hope that I can help IWJ educate the community on the hardships that these workers face daily.
On Wednesday, June 9th, I was present at a demonstration held outside the office of Senator George LeMieux in hopes to continue letting him know that the South Florida community is in favor of Dream Act and AgJobs. The Dream Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) would make possible for many undocumented students, who have lived in the United States most of their lives, the opportunity to gain temporary residency while they either obtain a Bachelor's degree or serve in the U.S. military for two years. According to the National Immigration Law Center, 65,000 students graduate from high school each year who would be qualified for the act's benefits. AgJobs (Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act) would allow undocumented agricultural workers to the opportunity to obtain a temporary blue card, while they continue work in hopes of receiving permanent residency after three years. It was exciting to see so many people participating at the demonstration, showing support towards both the worker and youth community.
Next week, I will be attending the second U.S. Social Forum in Detroit, Michigan. The purpose of the forum is for groups and organizations from all around the country to come together and share ideas and resources about the how to address the current social and economic issues. In short, the forum will focus on movement building. I will be going to workshops on wage theft and domestic worker rights, among other things. I am very much looking forward to it and will update here on what I've learned.
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