The
fight against unpaid labor and for workers’ dignity is developing in the Rio
Grande Valley.
This past Thursday
Fuerza del Valle organized a Labor Day Press Conference at the SEIU Union Hall
in McAllen, Texas to urge the public to denounce wage theft incidents, support
working families, and emphasize the criminal nature of unpaid labor.
Fuerza del Valle
members urged workers not to dismiss incidents of wage theft and leave them
unreported, Sareth Garcia spoke on Domestic Workers and the need to support
their fight to better conditions, Jorge spoke on intimidation he has
faced including physical violence when claiming his wages, nonetheless stating
the importance to take a stance against abuse and organize.
Nidia Torres, the Secretary
Treasurer of SEIU Texas and longtime Hidalgo County Employee, spoke on the
SEIU’s support of movements for workers’ rights in the RGV, San Antonio,
Houston, and El Paso. Samantha Serna, attorney with TRLA, spoke on
the services TRLA offers to working people in the RGV and their resolve to
defend workers’ rights.
Rosa Sanluis, community
organizer with Fuerza del Valle, stressed the need for elected officials
to support working families. Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney
Ricardo Rodriguez clarified his office will protect victims of crime and
prosecute criminal activity. Within the criminal activity lies unpaid
labor as stated by the Texas Penal Code 31.04.
For the first time in
history we have a District Attorney in South Texas openly stating their
intentions to defend working families against wage theft.
There is a lot of
education and work ahead of us, join our
movement for a better valley, for a better Texas.
Check out some of the
media coverage:
And a great article by
Erika, Michael, and Hector with the Workers’ Center:
Follow our work
through social media and our website.
We hope you enjoy the
rest of your labor day and continue to support working families.
-Fuerza del Valle
Workers' Center
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