Justice Bus 2013 – FAQs

What is the Justice Bus ?

The Justice Bus is a mobile protest organized by the Down with Wage Theft Campaign and the Fe y Justicia Worker Center to denounce labor abuse in our city and demand justice for Houston workers. The Justice Bus visits various employers and companies around the city that have outstanding wage claims, documented worker exploitation, or other types of labor abuse. Employers visited by the Justice Bus have been contacted various times by their workers and the Fe y Justica Worker Center, have attended mediations or court hearings, and some have even received judgments against them, yet they still refuse to pay their workers or resolve the labor dispute. The Justice Bus seeks a resolution to these cases by putting public pressure on these unscrupulous employers, and also spur the Houston community to take action against this ongoing crime.

Who can ride the Justice Bus?

The Justice Bus is open to the entire Houston community who wishes to support worker’s rights. We encourage everyone to sign up beforehand so we can ensure we have enough space on the bus and enough food for lunch.

How are cases chosen for the Justice Bus?

Cases are chosen from the hundreds of cases of labor abuse received every year by the Worker Center. Workers in these cases have exhausted their resources attempting to get their cases resolved, and have decided to pursue public action and support to pressure their employers to do the right thing. Both the workers and the organization have attempted repeated communication and mediation with the employers, and some employers even have outstanding judgments against them.

How do I find out about the cases for each stop?

We will be releasing information on the individual worker stories on the Monday before the Justice Bus. The workers will share details about their experiences, how they were affected, and what improvements and protections they’re fighting for. Due to the sensitivity of the cases, employer information will not be released until the night before the Justice Bus.

When is the Justice Bus?

The Justice Bus will take place on Tuesday June 11th, 2013 from 8:00am – 6:00pm.

Where can I catch the bus?

The Justice Bus will depart from the parking lot of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church (1805 W. Alabama St.) promptly at 8:00am.

What if I can’t ride the whole day?

If you are unable to ride with the bus the whole day, but you would still like to support the Justice Bus, you can follow us in your own vehicle to each individual stop. The full Justice Bus route and maps will be emailed to registered participants the day before the event, and will also be distributed the morning of June 11 before the bus departs. Please note: even if you don’t plan on riding the bus, please sign up so we can have an accurate count of participants.

Is there a cost to ride the Justice Bus?

There is no cost to ride the Justice Bus. Lunch is also included.

What should I bring on the bus?

Please bring your energy and excitement to demand justice for Houston workers. While lunch will be provided, you are encouraged to bring a water bottle and light snacks. Please wear comfortable clothing and your Down with Wage Theft Campaign t-shirt if you have one (Shirts will be available for purchase on the bus. $10). We will provide posters, banners, fliers, noise makers, and other fun protest items. Feel free to bring your own.

How do I register for the bus?

You can register online or by calling 713-862-8222.

A Journey for Justice: Capital Improvement Plan District Meetings

photo (11)Due to the extent of the problem of wage theft in Houston, and especially it’s impact on low-income minority communities, the workers and members of Fe y Justicia Worker Center in Houston, Texas, decided to stand up and to fight back for what belongs to them: not just to claim their salaries that were stolen but also to fight for their dignity.

When workers learned that the City of Houston was scheduling Capital Improvement Project (CIP) meetings in the neighborhoods to address the planning for various improvements, the workers organized to participate in these public meetings in order to call the attention of the City Council members to the Wage Theft issue affecting workers and its widespread impact on the community.

On March 5, workers attended the CIP meeting in District C. Adalinda Guajardo, a daughter of a worker who was a victim of wage theft tried to address this issue.  The staff of City Council member Ellen Cohen was very strongly opposed to letting Adalinda talk in the public meeting. But she did not give up and claimed her right to freedom of speech. She took the microphone and proudly represented her community.

When Adalinda Guajardo stated: “My understanding is that this meeting is to discuss infrastructure improvements in our neighborhood. This is very important because our streets and community buildings need good maintenance, but we think there is also a need to improve some regulations for the wellbeing of our communities.“ Ciy Council Member Ellen Cohen interrupted her several times trying to stop Adalinda’s speech. However, Adalinda was firm in her statement until the end.

ADALINA8“It was challenging when they tried to stop me, but in the end I showed them that we are not alone anymore, we are united and stronger,” Adalinda said.

On March 6, workers decided to attend the District J CIP public meeting. City Council Member, Mark Lester, welcomed workers. He acknowledged the Fe y Justicia Worker Center members attending the meeting saying, “they are bringing an important message to the community.”

Mitzi Ordoñez, a victim of wage theft in the restaurant industry stated,  “Wage Theft is an epidemic in our city and we think that it’s time to fulfill the promises made to our community not just to improve our neighborhood but also to improve our lives.”  At the end many people attending the meeting congratulated Mitzi for her statement. City Council member Lester also approached her and thanked her for her participation.

On March 19, workers attended the CIP Meeting of District B, but when City Council Member Jerry Davis, saw the team of “canaries” (workers wearing the yellow shirts of the Fe y Justicia Worker Center),  he changed the program. At the end he did not let the public take the microphone to put their questions on the floor; instead he closed the meeting as soon the report was made and said that some tables were set out in the back in case the public had questions. Workers approached CCM Davis to talk with him about Wage Theft, but he told them, “I’m busy right now, but you can schedule a meeting with my staff later.”    The workers went to his staff requesting the meeting, but they were told that they can call the office to follow up.

On March 21, members of the Fe y Justicia Worker Center attended the meeting of district K with CCM Larry Green.  Again, workers were told that just projects for improvement in the neighborhoods could be addressed in the meeting. Jose Guajardo raised the point of a big flooding problem at Willowbend and Hillcroft. In the maps given out, this area was marked as an area of greater need, but it did not appear in the list of projects; instead it was marked as not funded.   The CIP speakers responded to  Jose’s concern about the neighborhood with a long story that they do not have money in this cycle for that project, and Jose responded addressing the Wage Theft Problem.

Jose said, “I want to bring an important issue to the floor. We are constituents of your district and wage theft is a big problem in this district. If the wages that we already earned are stolen by employers, we will not be able to fulfill our needs.  As a consequence of this, we will not have money for spending and local responsible businesses’ sales will go down. Furthermore, payroll taxes will not be paid so all of us lose out on important funding for education, public services, and security in our community.”

Jose was honored putting in the spotlight the message of his coworkers and educating the community about Wage’s Theft.

CCMOn March 27, Fe and Justicia worker members appeared in the CIP meeting of District E where City Council member Dave Martin told to the workers, “Keep me posted about wage theft. What’s going on?” the workers explained to him and he said. “If a company does not pay the wages to the workers that they already earned, it’s fair what you’re doing.” Griselda Lopez, the wife of a construction worker, took the microphone and stated:  “It’s time to pass an ordinance to sanction abusive employers that steal wages!! NOW!!”

When the team of canaries of the Fe y Justicia Worker Center arrived at every CIP meeting they were recognized as the Wage Theft Workers. Some City Council members tried to stop them, others listened to them. What is important is that what they did mobilizing on the streets and in the CIP meetings gave them the power to be at the table discussing the need for an ordinance with the Mayor Annise Parker.  They were empowered and gained respect for themselves and for the Wage Theft cause. SI SE PUEDE!

The Wage Theft Campaign is driven by a coalition of Houston community, faith, and labor organizations, responsible businesses and individuals who believe in standing up for workers’ rights to a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work and making Houston a zero-tolerance place for wage’s theft and a just and prosperous place to work. The campaign is spear-headed by the Fe y Justicia Worker Center and supported by the coalition. To learn more about the campaign and what you can do to bring down wage theft in Houston, visit www.downwithwagetheft.org

Wage Theft & Major Health and Safety Violations on Houston City Contract

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Jose Eduardo Sanchez

Office: 713-862-8222

Mobile: 832-715-5975

HOUSTON COALITION CALLS ON CITY TO PASS WAGE THEFT ORDINANCE

IN LIGHT OF OVER $20 MILLION IN CITY CONTRACTS TO UNSCRUPULOUS COMPANY

“I’m coming forward not as a victim or even a survivor, but as a community member who knows the human impact of the disregard of workers’ human rights to fair wages and safe working environments. And I am making my voice heard, not to ask for help for myself, but because I don’t want this to happen to any other workers.” – Abraham Rodriguez

Houston, TX – Abraham Rodriguez and Luis Matute worked on city water main pipes that ruptured after last summer’s drought. The pipes are made of a combination of cement and asbestos, a fiber that when inhaled is a proven cancer-causing killer and requires utmost attention to protect workers’ health.  Unfortunately, the City of Houston awarded one of the main contracts for this work out to Reytec Construction Resources, a company with a notoriously shameful safety and health record.  This employer is on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s nation-wide list of “severe violators” of worker safety standards.

While repairing the broken water mains last summer, Reytec Construction Resources and its contractors did not follow OSHA standards relating to trenches and asbestos.  Rodriguez and Matute, and likely workers on other Reytec jobs, were exposed to airborne asbestos and were working in unshored trenches at great risk of the dirt walls falling in and burying them alive.  On top of all that, Rodriguez and Matute’s wages were illegally withheld for over two months.  After much insisting and raising concerns about the hazards they faced, Reytec Construction paid them for their two weeks of work.

As a Coalition, we are shocked and angered to learn that our tax dollars and public money is awarded to a contractor with such an egregious labor record.  Since April 2011, Reytec Construction Resources has received more than $22 million in payments from the City of Houston.  As a Coalition, we are even more frustrated that the City has no system in place to ensure that contractors working in the City have upstanding labor rights records.  This lack of accountability goes beyond city contracts, and on to the hundreds of labor violations that occur every week by Houston employers connected to the city of Houston through various permits and licenses.

The City must develop a system to  check with the government agencies and courts that are charged with enforcing basic labor laws  and ensure that employers seeking permits and licenses or submitting a bid do not have a record of violating labor laws.  We strongly urge Mayor Parker and City Council members to pass an ordinance that includes these basic protections.

City Council Public Session:      9:30 AM, Wednesday, November 14th

City Hall – Council Chambers      

WHO:                                                    Affected workers – Abraham Rodriguez and Luis Matute

Fe y Justicia Worker Center staff and members, and Down with Wage Theft Coalition

Dr. Celeste Monforton, Dept. of Environmental & Occupational Health, School of Public                            Health & Health Services, George Washington University

 

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The Down with Wage Theft Campaign is driven by a coalition of Houston community, faith, & labor organizations, responsible businesses and individuals who believe in standing up for workers’ rights to a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work and making Houston a just and prosperous place to work. For more information, visit www.downwithwagetheft.org

Calling all workers! Are you ready to celebrate?

When was the last time you celebrated a worker? How about the last time you celebrated the value of your own work? In the city where millionaires & corporations get all the glory, it’s time we celebrated the folks who make a difference in our daily lives! Join us for a worker speak-out, bring your favorite poem, song, picture, or story that highlights the value of your work! It’s time we make our voices heard and remind our politicians that WE move our city forward!

Featuring an interactive art project, spoken word performances, original songs from our worker members, dancing and music from The Free Radicals!

Wednesday November 14, 2012

4pm – 6pm

Hermann Square Park – In front of City Hall steps

We’ll have an open mic to highlight your worker stories, songs, music, and experiences! Feel free to bring pictures of your work & your family! WORK ATTIRE ENCOURAGED! 

info@downwithwagetheft.org or 281-940-4329