Episode 107: Workers Defense Project
The Checkout speaks with the Workers Defense Project about organizing workers in the deadliest industry in Texas.
Workers Defense Project is a community organization for low-wage, immigrant workers in the Texas construction industry. WDP brings together and stands alongside these workers as they fight for their right to be paid a living wage and be protected in their work.
Over the years, WDP has organized to:
Lead the creation of the Harris County Essential Worker Board in November 2021, the first of its kind in the country. The Board will be made up of essential workers who will address unsafe conditions faced by frontline workers in Houston.
Pass historic paid sick ordinances in Austin, Dallas, San Antonio in 2018 and 2019
Win water breaks for construction workers in Austin in Dallas in 2010 and 2015.
Pass a “Freedom Cities” policy in Austin in 2018 that implemented changes to the Austin Police Department to reduce arrests for low-level offenses and address racial disparities in policing.
Defeat a sweeping pre-emption bill, SB14, in the Texas Legislature in 2021, protecting the abilities of county and city governments to pass workplace protection ordinances
Support the passage of Project Connect, a major transit investment in Austin, including the Better Builder® standards on over $7 billion of transit construction.
https://workersdefense.org/en/
Photo by Pamela de Marion Silva Diaz.
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Episode #107 Notes
1:00 - What is The Worker’s Defense Project?
2:00 - Why is there a focus on construction workers?
4:00 - How is Workers Defense Project organized? What’s it like working in this trade?
10:00 - How is it different working construction in Texas, as opposed to other parts of the country?
14:00 - What is the Theory of Change for Worker’s Defense Project?
16:00 - Worker’s Defense Project’s approach to policy work in Texas.
20:00 - Key campaign victories for Worker’s Defense Project.
24:00 - What does Worker’s Defense Project want to achieve in the coming years?
25:00 - How will COVID remain an area of focus regarding worksite safety?
29:00 - Thoughts on PROACT.
31:00 - Closing thoughts.
