Statements
Mission
Workers' Dignity Project / Dignidad Obrera is a worker-led center organizing for economic justice and the dignity of all. We are a membership organization of low-wage workers and bus-riders who develop concrete solutions to wage theft and other workplace abuse and advocate for improvements to public transit through education and by building relationships with fellow laborers, faith groups, government agencies, and other community allies.
Background
In early 2010 a small group of low-wage workers came together to recover their stolen wages. Joined by allies in the immigrant, legal, and faith communities, they created a space for workers to learn from each other's experiences and organize for better conditions in their workplaces. Workers' Dignity began holding weekly labor rights workshops, a wage-theft clinic, and other membership-building events. That summer, we hosted a picnic to discuss how to develop a more formal organizational structure that could build on their initial success. In the 10 years since we were founded, thousands of workers have participated in the monthly workshops, and over 700 workers have recovered more than $1,00,000 in unpaid wages and compensation by working together. Housekeepers, housemen, laundry workers and others at seven hotels have increased wages and benefits by over $800,000. Our bus-riders union, Music City Riders United, has won demands including free transfers and reduced bus far for all Nashville bus-riders! Now, we've taken on the booming construction industry, where workers are organizing to increase workplace standards and gain more control over their working conditions.
Impact
Accomplishments: Improved wages and benefits in 12 hotels by over $800,000/year since 2013. More than $600,000 in wages recovered for over 325 workers. 600 dues-paying members (low-wage workers) and 1,300 non-voting members recruited. Each year we organize monthly worker rights workshops attended by over 300 low-wage workers. The workshops use a popular education model centered on workers' prior experience and knowledge to promote self-confidence, community, and full participation. Since Summer 2016, bus riders in our organization have been organizing a civil rights campaign for improved public transit for predominantly black working-class neighborhoods through WD-initiated, bus-rider led Music City Riders United (MCRU). MCRU has won several victories, including: rebuild bathrooms at the bus station; reduced fares and free bus transfers; expanded service on the No. 22 bus; and a placement of a kiosk at the station to pay utility bills. These changes affect 10,000s of daily bus riders. We continued to offer English Language classes and workshops oriented toward developing technology skills. Our community radio station, WDYO 104.1, is run by working class DJs that provide culturally appropriate and need to know information to our community every day.
Needs
1) One-time donations and monthly sustaining donations are especially appreciated. (www.workersdignity.org/donate) 2) WDP would be especially grateful for gift cards for groceries for our Know Your Rights workshop and member meetings. 3) We always rely on volunteers willing to help as wage theft advocates, teach English classes, help with office administration, graphic design, and other talents. Volunteers can also help with researcher and solidarity or rapid response roles like childcare. Many of our members are only able to attend workshops because of our childcare volunteers. 6) Interpreters (High need! Spanish, Quiche, Arabic) to allow all our members to participate.
CEO Statement
We envision a world where everyone who can work is able to work to provide the basic necessities for ourselves, our families, and our communities. We envision a world in which workers have the power to make meaningful decisions about that work and to receive the benefits of this labor. We envision a world where workers are not only united in addressing the root causes of poverty and the ways these root causes divide us, but also are united in creating a world that recognizes the dignity and value of all people. We believe those who are most affected by a problem are the ones with the answers to that problem. Our membership-based organization is a low-wage worker center that is run by and for workers who have experienced indignities. Our ally volunteers support our members in this work, but it is our members themselves - low-wage workers - who ultimately set our vision and determine our course of action.
Board Chair Statement
Dear friends, As co-chair of our Steering Committee (Board), I have had the privilege of working and learning alongside workers who demanded their labor rights through training in strategy, working in teams and piecing together various components of effective non-violent actions to improve working conditions. We have continued to develop leaders among low-income workers who want lasting change. Mariana Lopez, Steering Committee Co-Chair
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Civil Rights, Social Action, Advocacy - Minority Rights |
| Secondary Category: | Community Improvement, Capacity Building - Alliances & Advocacy |
| Tertiary Category: | Human Services - Ethnic/Immigrant Services |
Areas Served
Our geographic focus is Davidson County, with some members from other counties in Middle Tennessee. Our center is located in Southeast Nashville, in the heart of the city's immigrant and refugee communities.
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