Episode 36: Montserrat Garibay
“At the end of the day, if we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu… There are many legislators and companies that think workers are disposable. That’s outrageous, but we’re fighting back every single day.”
“The PRO-Act will be helpful for all workers.”
Montserrat Garibay is the former Secretary-Treasurer of the Texas AFL-CIO. She was just appointed by the Biden Administration as Senior Advisor on Labor Relations for the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.
Previously, she served as Vice President for Certified Employees with Education Austin. An activist on education and immigration issues, Garibay came to the U.S. from Mexico City as an undocumented immigrant and became a citizen 20 years later.
She has been instrumental in promoting opportunities for all students, including those from immigrant families. She promoted passage of the Texas version of the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. A bilingual pre-kindergarten teacher for eight years, Garibay has strongly supported early childhood education.
This episode was recorded as a fireside chat for the Conference on Food Access and Resilience.
https://www.foodresiliency.net/montserrat-garibay/
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Episode #36 Notes
1:00- How did you get involved in trade unions?
5:00 - Tell us about AFL-CIO
7:00 - What does “solidarity forever” mean to you?
8:00 - Why are there so few private sector unions in Texas? And of the ones that are active, what are they doing?
10:40 - COVID and impacts on essential workers and their families.
15:30 - What policies should be prioritized to protect workers in the supply chain?
19:30 - How is AFL-CIO preparing for the next set of crises?
21:30 - What are the greatest union job opportunities in food?
23:00 - On Right to Work laws and worker strikes.
24:30 - What is the Fair Shot for Texas Workers campaign?
26:30 - Where would you like to see AFL-CIO in 5 years?
28:00 - Closing thoughts on being in the labor movement.
