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OAKLAND, Calif. \u2014 Workers, labor leaders, community organizations and elected officials gathered Wednesday at Oakland City Hall to highlight what they described as the unfair treatment of workers during the \u201cOakland Is a Worker Town\u201d press conference.<\/p>\n
The \u201cpowerful public demonstration\u201d was held just days before International Workers\u2019 Day on May 1, bringing together \u201claborers, airport workers, hotel workers, care workers, educators, and service workers.\u201d<\/p>\n
By coming together, participants said they were able to \u201cuplift the power of organizing and demand stronger protections, enforcement, and investment in Oakland\u2019s working class.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rally highlighted the \u201cimportance of worker organizing in winning key protections\u201d and called for \u201ccontinued investment in enforcement and worker education to ensure those protections are realized in practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
The workers were \u201cconvened by a broad coalition.\u201d These organizations include East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE), Street Level Health Project, Centro Legal de La Raza, Chinese Progressive Association, SEIU-USWW, UNITE HERE Local 2, Oakland Education Association, SEIU 1021, Black Workers United, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, All of Us or None and others.<\/p>\n
During the press conference, \u201cthe victories and ongoing struggles facing workers across the city\u201d were highlighted. Saabir Lockett, deputy director of civic engagement at EBASE, stated that they are \u201ccontinuing the fight to ensure every worker is treated with dignity and respect.\u201d<\/p>\n
He mentioned that \u201cworkers are the heart and backbone of this city: teachers, hotel workers, airport workers, care workers, day laborers, retail workers, bus drivers, construction workers, and so many more.\u201d<\/p>\n
He asserted that \u201cOakland runs because workers make it run.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee \u201cjoined workers on the steps of City Hall, standing alongside labor leaders and frontline workers in a visible show of support for worker justice.\u201d<\/p>\n
She stated that Oakland has made important progress \u201cby passing strong labor protections.\u201d However, \u201cpassing laws is not enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lee encouraged that \u201claws are enforced so that no worker is subjected to wage theft, unsafe conditions, or exploitation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWorkers deserve not just rights on paper, but justice in practice,\u201d according to Lee.<\/p>\n
At the conference, workers also spoke out \u201cabout the realities they face on the job.\u201d This includes \u201cwage theft, unsafe working conditions, and ongoing efforts to organize for better pay and protections.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wheelchair attendant and passenger service agent at Oakland Airport and member of SEIU-USWW, Luke Allen, said that every day workers \u201cshow up to care for this city and the people moving through it, but too often that care is not returned to (them).\u201d<\/p>\n
Allen spoke for workers, stating they are \u201cdemanding respect, fair wages, and safe working conditions because (their) labor makes this city function.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mario Pina, a day laborer and member of Street Level Health Project, said that it is workers \u201cwho keep this city running, often without recognition or protection.\u201d Workers face \u201cunstable work, low wages, and constant uncertainty, yet (they) continue to show up and contribute every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pina talked about the rights that workers deserve, such as \u201csafety, dignity, and the resources to live full healthy lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Organizers said they recognize that \u201cOakland has been a leader in passing progressive labor protections.\u201d Some of these protections include \u201cminimum wage increases, paid sick leave, and enforcement mechanisms.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although these protections are in place, many workers \u201cstill face violations of those rights.\u201d<\/p>\n
Workers gathered to celebrate \u201cworker power and a call to action.\u201d By doing so, they reinforced that \u201cOakland\u2019s future depends on valuing and protecting the people who keep the city running.\u201d<\/p>\n
Overall, the \u201cOakland Is a Worker Town\u201d press conference demonstrated that \u201cworkers are the backbone of Oakland\u2019s economy, culture, and future,\u201d and should therefore receive better treatment.<\/p>\n
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