DC Jobs with Justice Corner: Day Laborers Find Support, Strategize at JwJ National Conference:
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
Since January, DC Jobs with
Justice (JwJ) has been actively supporting the development of the Union de
Trabajadores – a worker-led organization of day laborers in DC – to build
worker unity, advocate for their rights, and create positive relationships in
the community they work. Earlier this month, three members of the Union attended
the National Jobs with Justice conference in Providence, Rhode Island where they
shared experiences and struggles with union locals, organizations and workers
centers. "As day laborers, we need a lot of character to work in the face of
uncertainty, poverty and despair," says Jorge Ortiz of the Union de
Trabajadores. “People who hire us know our legal status and know that most of us are not aware of our labor
rights or do not know where to look for support.” Ortiz – who was part of
the DC delegation to the JwJ National Conference – shared and learned
strategies for organizing the unorganized and leadership development with
low-wage and non-union workers at one of the conference’s low-wage workers
organizing forums. “At the National Conference, I found out that we are not
alone," says Ortiz. "We got the support of American brothers with experience in
the struggle for dignity of working people from all over the United States. Now
I know we have friends who support us; now I know there is hope.”
- report by Pedro Cruz, DC Jobs with Justice Day Laborer
Organizer