Labor Rights
The labor movement has been a driving force in the progress of human and workers’ rights. Yet, much of this progress and much of its successes still can not be fully enjoyed by Latino/a/x workers. LCLAA is resolute in its commitment to educating and preparing workers to utilize their labor rights to create healthier and more productive workplaces in the United States and its territories.
Accessible Information for Workers: Knowing industry standards and workers’ rights are the first line of defense against workplace violations and lays the foundation for all the labor movement can accomplish. Too often, Latino/a/x and immigrant workers are kept in the dark about their rights and taken advantage of by their employers.
This is why LCLAA calls for the following:
Legislation to promote pay transparency across industries
Federal initiatives and investment to educate workers on their rights in the workplace
Support and protections of union and worker centers “know your rights” trainings and campaigns
Reform that builds on the National Labor Relations Act and eliminates an employers’ right to hold captive audience meetings
Collective bargaining and industrial action allows workers to negotiate with their employers on equal footing
Adequate trainings and preparations: To thrive in their industries, trades, and fields, workers have to be trained on how to carry out their job requirements successfully. However, time and time again, receiving these training and apprenticeships are unattainable for Latino/a/x workers, preventing many from joining union jobs, from reaching their fullest potential, and from joining the middle class.
This is why LCLAA calls for the following:
Scholarships and programming to make apprenticeships and trainings more accessible for all workers
Increased oversight and evaluations to ensure that apprenticeship programs are providing high-quality, comprehensive training
Healthy and safe workplaces for all: Hundreds of workers take on our country’s most dangerous jobs; however, employers frequently fail to protect these workers from harm. These failures and the ever-present racism have led the share of Latino/a/x workers fatally injured on the job to continue to rise. Immigrant workers have been vulnerable to exploitation and retaliation, resulting in death on the job.
This is why LCLAA calls for the following:
Strengthened protections against chemicals, equipment, temperatures, and other environmental factors
Full enforcement and increased oversight by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) on workplace safety and health law
Increased funding to better support and increase the capacity of job safety agencies
Legislation to tighten anti-discrimination safeguards, expand OSHA’s coverage to workers not currently covered, and enhance the rights of people who have suffered injuries or illnesses because of their jobs
Federal protections to ensure that all workers have a right to paid breaks
Making organizing accessible for all: Organizing empowers Latinos/as/xs throughout all fifty states, the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia to have safety in numbers in their fights to improve their pay, their benefits, and their working conditions. Yet, far too many obstacles remain that prevent Latinos/as/xs, immigrants, and specifically women, from organizing their workplaces.
This is why LCLAA calls for the following:
Removing right-to-work laws that strip workers of their rights and serve to weaken and divide organizing efforts
Passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act to expand workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain
Programming to promote diverse leadership within unions to incorporate more voices in the labor movement
Increased funding for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to make the agency able to defend workers’ rights properly
Protection of project labor agreements (PLAs) that promote collective bargaining and safe labor conditions
LOS ANGELES CHAPTER SUPPORTs WORKERS AT MARATHON CARSON
LOS ANGELES - LCLAA members from across Los Angeles woke up early last Thursday to show their support and solidarity for workers at Marathon Carson, who were “just practicing,” and demanding “no job cuts, no pay cuts and no takeaways for their upcoming contract between the union and Marathon Petroleum bosses.
The workers at Marathon Carson are demanding fair contracts that allow them to have a safe working environment, health benefits and proper pay for their work. The current Marathon contract covers 30,000 oil workers which is set to expire on February 1, 2022.
CHICAGO, DECEMBER 15 2021 - LCLAA members from across Chicago joined forces with Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in support and solidarity for Starbucks Workers United who are fighting to unionize. Food industry employees in Chicago and across the country are struggling, they need and deserve better working conditions. These workers are also part of a broader wave of strikes and unionization sweeping the country, as workers inspire each other with the power of collective action.
CHICAGO CHAPTER STANDING IN SOLIDARITY with starbucks
Latino/a Labor Reports
Unions & Latinos: A Strategic Partnership for America’s Progress
2014
The first of several editions, this report provides a snapshot of Latinos in labor unions at the time of its publication. It includes demographic information and statistics on union membership and the union difference for various sectors of our constituency.
Latino Workers & Unions: A Strategic Partnership for America’s Progress
2015
The second edition of Latino Workers and Unions updates the demographic information and statistics on union membership and the union difference for various sectors of our constituency published the previous year. In addition, it includes infographics in English and Spanish, making the content accessible to a wider audience.