Is your legislation on the infamous Chamber of Commerce "job killer" list? Is your campaign facing stiff opposition from corporate America with its infinite resources? In a battle of David and Goliath, how can marginalized communities come out on top?
Today I am honored to be joined by Victor Narro, a nationally recognized expert on immigrant and low-income workers. Project Director at the UCLA Labor Center, Mr. Narro is also on faculty at the UCLA Department of Labor and Workplace Studies. An immigrant and workers' rights activist for several decades, he previously served as Co-Executive Director of Sweatshop Watch and Workers’ Rights Project Director for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA).
Mr. Narro was instrumental in the recent passage of the landmark worker protection bill SB 62 (Durazo), the Garment Worker Protection Act despit facing fierce opposition from corporate interests. In banning the exploitative "piece rate" payment system and for the first time holding retailers liable for wage theft committed by their subcontractors, the bill has international implications.
In this episode we discuss:
- the power of recognizing our interconnectedness
- how organizing campaigns by Garment Workers, Day Laborers, and Domestic Workers serve as a model for future organizing efforts
- how non-traditional alliances helped push SB 62 to victory
- why we should embrace the never-ending process of relationship building
"Relationship matters. Interconnectedness matters. Otherwise we're not going to be successful in carrying out the work for justice." - Victor Narro
Hosted by Kristina Bas Hamilton, founder of KBH Advocacy.
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