The Immigrant Rights Movement in Los Angeles

Brian Chang, LAT, 5/1/06 Damon Winter, LAT, 5/1/06

Immigration History America is a land of immigrants. America is a land of immigrants. More than 100 years ago, immigrants from Europe, including Ireland, Italy, Poland, and Russia, built some of the first unions. More than 100 years ago, immigrants from Europe, including Ireland, Italy, Poland, and Russia, built some of the first unions. Today, most immigrants come from Latin America and Asia, and are following the tradition of working hard for low wages. Today, most immigrants come from Latin America and Asia, and are following the tradition of working hard for low wages.

The 1990s witnessed the largest influx of immigrants during any period in American history. The 1990s witnessed the largest influx of immigrants during any period in American history. From , immigration accounted for approximately 45% of the change in the U.S.’s population. Immigrants represent over 12% of all U.S. residents. From , immigration accounted for approximately 45% of the change in the U.S.’s population. Immigrants represent over 12% of all U.S. residents. Immigrants compose an increasingly large share of the U.S. labor force and a growing share of low-wage workers. Immigrants compose an increasingly large share of the U.S. labor force and a growing share of low-wage workers. In 2005, immigrants made up about 15 % of the U.S. civilian labor force and 20% of low-wage workers. In 2005, immigrants made up about 15 % of the U.S. civilian labor force and 20% of low-wage workers. About 22 million, or 67.7 percent, of the foreign-born were in the U.S. labor force in About 22 million, or 67.7 percent, of the foreign-born were in the U.S. labor force in Between 2000 and 2004 immigrant workers constituted nearly half of the net increase in the U.S. labor force. Between 2000 and 2004 immigrant workers constituted nearly half of the net increase in the U.S. labor force.

Region of Birth of Employed Foreign-Born Workers in 2005 Mexico and Central America- 37% Asia- 26% Europe- 12% Caribbean- 9% South America- 7% Other Areas- 8% U.S Census Bureau, 2005 Robert Gauthier, LA Times 5/1/2006

89.7% new immigrants work in the private sector for wages and salaries. 89.7% new immigrants work in the private sector for wages and salaries. 28% of new immigrants work in the construction and manufacturing industries. 28% of new immigrants work in the construction and manufacturing industries. Another 25% are employed in the leisure/hospitality and other services industries. Another 25% are employed in the leisure/hospitality and other services industries.

Of the 17.7 million foreign-born wage and salary workers in the United States, 1 in 10 are members of unions. The number of foreign-born union members has increased since 1996, while the number of native-born union members has declined since 1996.

Robert Gauthier, LA Times 5/1/2006

AFL-CIO’s Historic Decision to Support the Rights of Immigrant Workers On February 16, 2000, the AFL-CIO's executive council unanimously called for: (1) the repeal of employer sanctions; (2) legalization for the millions undocumented immigrants in the US; and (3) increased workplace protections for immigrants.

Linda Chavez-Thompson (2000) "Employers often knowingly hire workers who are undocumented, and then when workers seek to improve working conditions, employers manipulate the law to fire or intimidate workers. This subverts the intent of the law and lowers working standards for all workers. The law should criminalize employer behavior, not punish workers." Rick Loomis, LA Times 5/1/06

AFL-CIO Town Hall In June 2000 the Los Angeles labor movement organized a Town Hall on Immigrant Workers’ Rights at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. In June 2000 the Los Angeles labor movement organized a Town Hall on Immigrant Workers’ Rights at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. The Town Hall event drew national attention, filling the Sports Arena with 16,000 immigrants, while thousands more waited outside. This historic gathering helped to build a strong coalition between labor and immigrant rights groups. The Town Hall event drew national attention, filling the Sports Arena with 16,000 immigrants, while thousands more waited outside. This historic gathering helped to build a strong coalition between labor and immigrant rights groups.

Immigrant Worker Organizing Time Line Immigration Reform and Control Act Passed, the last major national immigration reform Immigration Reform and Control Act Passed, the last major national immigration reform The Los Angeles labor movement launches the California Immigrant Workers Association (CIWA) to build an associate membership organization of immigrant workers linked to the labor movement The Los Angeles labor movement launches the California Immigrant Workers Association (CIWA) to build an associate membership organization of immigrant workers linked to the labor movement. June 15, Justice for Janitors Campaign – Janitors and supporters beaten in Century City during an organizing campaign. SEIU organizing campaign ended in a huge victory. June 15, Justice for Janitors Campaign – Janitors and supporters beaten in Century City during an organizing campaign. SEIU organizing campaign ended in a huge victory. July Following a wild cat strike at American Racing Equipment, 1200 immigrant workers join the International Association of Machinists (IAM), and win a contract. July Following a wild cat strike at American Racing Equipment, 1200 immigrant workers join the International Association of Machinists (IAM), and win a contract.

1992- Drywall Strike- Thousands of mostly immigrant workers from Mexico launch a massive strike among residential construction workers immigrant drywallers join the Carpenters Union- one of the largest organizing victories in the building trades in recent decades Drywall Strike- Thousands of mostly immigrant workers from Mexico launch a massive strike among residential construction workers immigrant drywallers join the Carpenters Union- one of the largest organizing victories in the building trades in recent decades March Against Prop 187- Over 100,000 people march in Downtown Los Angeles against anti- immigrant initiative, the largest immigrant rights rally in the country March Against Prop 187- Over 100,000 people march in Downtown Los Angeles against anti- immigrant initiative, the largest immigrant rights rally in the country ,000 home care workers join SEIU 434B, the largest union victory in decades. Most are women, people of color, and immigrants ,000 home care workers join SEIU 434B, the largest union victory in decades. Most are women, people of color, and immigrants SEIU Justice for Janitors strike citywide. Their victory supports other contract campaigns SEIU Justice for Janitors strike citywide. Their victory supports other contract campaigns.

February AFL-CIO changes immigration policy. Supports a new general amnesty, an end to employer sanctions and increased labor protections for immigrant workers. February AFL-CIO changes immigration policy. Supports a new general amnesty, an end to employer sanctions and increased labor protections for immigrant workers. June 6, AFL-CIO Town Hall Meeting on Immigrant Workers’ Rights at Sports Arena June 6, AFL-CIO Town Hall Meeting on Immigrant Workers’ Rights at Sports Arena Oct Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride Oct Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride UNITE HERE organized hotel workers, demanding unified national contract expiration UNITE HERE organized hotel workers, demanding unified national contract expiration Historic Immigrant Rights Marches throughout the country Historic Immigrant Rights Marches throughout the country.

Immigrants and Politics The large infusion of immigrants into the electoral arena has changed the political landscape. The large infusion of immigrants into the electoral arena has changed the political landscape. Especially since the Republican-sponsored anti-immigrant Proposition 187, immigrants have become citizens and registered to vote in record numbers. Especially since the Republican-sponsored anti-immigrant Proposition 187, immigrants have become citizens and registered to vote in record numbers. The immigrant vote has resulted in more victories for pro-labor, progressive candidates, and helped to transform California politics. The immigrant vote has resulted in more victories for pro-labor, progressive candidates, and helped to transform California politics.

Immigration Legislation In December 2005 the House of Representatives approved HR Bill 4437 which would have criminalized the status of millions of non-U.S. citizens, and imposed criminal sanctions on those who support undocumented immigrants. In December 2005 the House of Representatives approved HR Bill 4437 which would have criminalized the status of millions of non-U.S. citizens, and imposed criminal sanctions on those who support undocumented immigrants. There are current debates on “guest worker” provisions, which would provide for limited rights for those with guest worker visas. There are current debates on “guest worker” provisions, which would provide for limited rights for those with guest worker visas. Labor and immigrant rights groups are demanding legalization and a path to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants. Labor and immigrant rights groups are demanding legalization and a path to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants.

“We Are America” Coalition A coalition made up of long-standing Los Angeles leaders and organizations in the immigrant rights, labor, faith-based, and advocacy communities. A coalition made up of long-standing Los Angeles leaders and organizations in the immigrant rights, labor, faith-based, and advocacy communities. Basic Principles of the Coalition include: Basic Principles of the Coalition include: 1.Legalization with path to citizenship for hard working immigrants. 2.An effective and workable visa program for future immigrants. 3.Keep families together 4.Protection of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights and no criminalization of immigrants, their families, or their allies. 5.No to a border wall and increased militarization of the borders.