SF Day Labor Program wins victory at City Hall

SF Day Labor Program wins victory at City Hall

On Monday, August 16, approximately 50 members and allies of the San Francisco Day Labor Program marched from the Mission to City Hall and occupied Mayor Gavin Newsom’s office, demanding their funding be reinstated. The Day Labor Program, which organizes for essential services and job protection for many of the immigrant workers on Cesar Chavez St., 26th St. and other areas of the Mission, has faced serious budget constraints and layoffs due to the lack of funding.

Over two years ago, Mayor Willie Brown cut the $100,000-a-year city contract with La Raza Centro Legal in retaliation for worker protests dealing with police harassment and demands for a building on Cesar Chavez St. The contract has been presented for a bid since but not awarded. A lawsuit was then filed against the city by La Raza Centro Legal for the violation of freedom of speech protections, claiming the city’s decision to not renew funding was politically motivated. The suit will be up for trial on January 24, 2005.

By 10 am, workers had crowded into Newsom’s office in an incredible show of force. Between chants and testimony, Day Laborers demanded that the Request for Proposals (RFP) for day laborer funding be issued and that a reasonable timeline for processing it be given and put in writing. Newsom happened to be on vacation, but Communications Director, Peter Ragone eventually agreed to speak with Day Laborers. Workers and allies (including representatives from People Organized to Win Employment Rights and the Chinese Progressive Association, among others) refused to leave the office until the demands were met in writing. Ragone hurried off only to return presenting an official letter stating that the RFP’s would begin on August 23 and end with the selection of a contractor to administer the program by the end of October of this year.

After a two-year battle, the San Francisco Day Labor Program experienced a victory at City Hall on Monday. The next crucial step is to hold the powers that be accountable to their word and ensure that the timeline is followed. Allies interested in supporting the work of the Day Labor Program should contact:

Jill at 415-553-3406 to volunteer

or

Renee at 415-553-3404 to support organizing efforts

Mel Pilbin
Heads Up Collective

*Sources include Press Release from the San Francisco Day Labor Program and
http://www.examiner.com/article/index.cfm/i/081704n_daylaborers