In anticipation of one of Austin’s next big construction projects, advocacy group Workers Defense Project demanded Tuesday morning that the redevelopment of the former Austin American-Statesman site at 305 S. Congress Ave. lead to safe and well-compensated construction jobs as well as on-site affordable housing. “This is a big investment that will be many, many […]
Workers Defense Project
A nonprofit advocacy group that provides resources to ensure low-income workers fair employment.
Posted inBudget
Community groups push for safety, public services in $73.5M budget request
More than 30 community groups and service organizations have created a list of recommendations for the next city budget, with 16 proposed expenditures focused around safety and public health totaling $73.5 million. Details on the Community Investment Budget were released to members of City Council and staff on Wednesday, ahead of budget talks that will […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Prop H critics want more inclusivity in ‘democracy dollars’ program
Advocates for local immigrant workers have come out against the “democracy dollars” ballot proposal set to go before voters in May, and are pushing City Council to pass an ordinance expanding its eligibility if the initiative succeeds. Proposition H would create a city-funded campaign finance program giving $25 vouchers per Council race to registered voters, which […]
Posted inTravis County
Contractor apologizes for racist remark at county meeting
The contractor who used a racial slur against Latino immigrants during a Travis County-sponsored meeting last week is apologizing. Aaron Cabaza, president of Aaron Concrete, sent an email to county staff on Tuesday afternoon expressing regret for his remarks at a stakeholders discussion focused on recommendations that would augment protections for workers on county projects. […]
Posted inTravis County
Commissioners Court delays action on worker safety recommendations
The Travis County Commissioners Court will put off for several weeks a decision on a package of proposals aimed at strengthening protections for construction workers on county projects. Last Tuesday, the court discussed 10 recommendations set forth by Purchasing Office staff in collaboration with the Workers Defense Project. The proposals would gird the county’s Better […]
Posted inAustin
Poll shows support for paid sick leave ordinance
Most Austinites like the idea of requiring businesses to provide their employees with paid sick days, according to a poll released Thursday. The survey of 600 Austin voters, which was conducted by Public Policy Polling, a respected national polling firm that typically works with Democrats, was commissioned by the Workers Defense Project, a local workers’ […]
Posted inCity Council
Council OKs rules for expedited permitting
Working with advocates for developers and construction workers, City Council Member Greg Casar carefully negotiated the details of an ordinance requiring developers of large commercial projects to pay a living wage and follow other rules set forth in the Better Builder Program in order to qualify for expedited permitting. The ordinance applies to commercial projects […]
Posted inTravis County
Advocates, lawyers and immigrants respond to ‘sanctuary city’ threats
In response to promises from state and federal governments to knock out so-called “sanctuary cities” Wednesday, roughly 30 people crowded atop a rickety podium to announce their support of Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez’s immigration policy. At the local headquarters of the Workers Defense Project, they held signs reading, “We are here to stay” and […]
Posted inCity Council
Who’s building Austin? As city grows, construction workers are getting left behind
At the end of the workday in downtown Austin, streams of construction workers start pouring out of the city. They spend their days building the condos and office buildings that will make up the new Austin, but they go home to surrounding suburbs and cities where they can afford to live. Much has been made […]
Posted inCity Council
Biz groups oppose more rules for permitting
Four Austin business groups are opposing a plan to require extra steps in the city’s permit review process. The steps would lead to more protection for construction workers, but they would also involve extra time and paperwork as well as additional fees on projects going through the proposed expedited review process at the Development Services […]
Posted inAustin
Coalition fights to add worker protections to expedited building permit process
The people who are building Austin can no longer afford to live in it, labor advocates say. Although they’re working on the big construction projects that are pushing Austin’s growth, construction workers in Austin have few protections, and many are living on or near poverty wages, pushing them to move outside of Austin to areas […]
Posted inDevelopment
Labor group calls foul on Plaza Saltillo document
As Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Plaza Saltillo development project snakes its way through City Hall, one prominent labor rights group is raising concerns about the transit agency’s partner in the deal. The Workers Defense Project shared with the Austin Monitor a document created by Endeavor Real Estate Group that touts worker protections that fall short […]