Worker center
Encyclopedia
Worker centers are non-profit organizations that organize workers who are not already members of a collective bargaining organization (such as a trade union
). Many worker centers in the United States focus on immigrant workers, and most focus on low-wage workers in sectors such as restaurant, construction, day labor
or agriculture. In the United States, over 130 such worker centers exist, as defined by Janice Fine.
José Oliva, director of the Interfaith Worker Justice
network of worker centers, emphasizes that worker centers perform three main functions: service, organizing and advocacy. While many other organizations provide services, or advocate on behalf of low-wage workers, only worker centers perform all three functions for workers outside of traditional trade union
s.
In August 2006, NDLON announced a new partnership with the AFL-CIO
:
"The AFL-CIO and NDLON will work together for state and local enforcement of rights as well as the development of new protections in areas including wage and hour laws, health and safety regulations, immigrants’ rights and employee misclassification. They will also work together for comprehensive immigration reform that supports workplace rights and includes a path to citizenship and political equality for immigrant workers – and against punitive, anti-immigrant, anti-worker legislation."
This partnership stems from the AFL-CIO's decision to embrace immigrant workers, a change from the federation's policies in the 1980s and 1990s.
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
). Many worker centers in the United States focus on immigrant workers, and most focus on low-wage workers in sectors such as restaurant, construction, day labor
Day labor
Day labor is work done where the worker is hired and paid one day at a time, with no promise that more work will be available in the future. It is a form of contingent work.-Types:Day laborers find work through three common routes....
or agriculture. In the United States, over 130 such worker centers exist, as defined by Janice Fine.
Definition
Fine defines worker centers as: "community-based and community-led organizations that engage in a combination of service, advocacy, and organizing to provide support to low-wage workers. The vast majority of them have grown up to serve predominantly or exclusively immigrant populations. However, there are a few centers that serve a primarily African American population or bring immigrants together with African Americans."José Oliva, director of the Interfaith Worker Justice
Interfaith Worker Justice
Interfaith Worker Justice is a nonprofit, nonpartisan religious organization that educates and mobilizes the religious people of all faiths in the United States on issues important to working people....
network of worker centers, emphasizes that worker centers perform three main functions: service, organizing and advocacy. While many other organizations provide services, or advocate on behalf of low-wage workers, only worker centers perform all three functions for workers outside of traditional trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s.
Networks
Nationally, there exist at least two networks that link worker centers together:- 1. The National Day Laborer Organizing NetworkNational Day Laborer Organizing NetworkThe National Day Laborer Organizing Network is an American organization dedicated to improving the lives of day laborers. It was founded in Northridge, California in July 2001 and is based in Los Angeles, California...
(NDLON) that works with approximately 30 day labor centers. - 2. Interfaith Worker JusticeInterfaith Worker JusticeInterfaith Worker Justice is a nonprofit, nonpartisan religious organization that educates and mobilizes the religious people of all faiths in the United States on issues important to working people....
(IWJ), which connects 14 worker centers that have strong ties to religious communities.
In August 2006, NDLON announced a new partnership with the AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
:
"The AFL-CIO and NDLON will work together for state and local enforcement of rights as well as the development of new protections in areas including wage and hour laws, health and safety regulations, immigrants’ rights and employee misclassification. They will also work together for comprehensive immigration reform that supports workplace rights and includes a path to citizenship and political equality for immigrant workers – and against punitive, anti-immigrant, anti-worker legislation."
This partnership stems from the AFL-CIO's decision to embrace immigrant workers, a change from the federation's policies in the 1980s and 1990s.