labor organizing
Over the last ten weeks, I spent Saturdays, and occasionally some weekdays, working with the Western Farm Workers Association (WFWA). I've been supporting them in their fight to change the economic conditions of low-paid, unrecognized workers. The economic conditions that we all face, but especially the working poor, are outrageous especially when we think of the wealth in this nation. Through my time with WFWA I've met and heard of members who are struggling to meet their day to day needs. Utility shut-offs, evictions, medical problems, a lack of funding for food, all problems people from a nation as affluent as ours should not have. It's through collective effort that we must organize and demand better conditions for our lowest paid workers.
The farmer makes no money without his laborers.
The farmer makes no money without his laborers.
what is wfwa?
The Western Farm Workers Association (WFWA) is a free and voluntary membership organization that unites unrecognized, low-income workers such as seasonal, agricultural, and other low-paid workers who face inexcusable poverty conditions. Through the power of organizing, WFWA strives to change the economic conditions of the people who work tirelessly to ensure that our society functions as it needs to. WFWA is a completely independent organization that hasn’t taken a cent of government funding. The organization runs completely through the efforts of its members, volunteers, and supporters.
You’re probably thinking: “How exactly does any of this work? How does organizing help these people ‘change their condition’?” Organizing creates a community where members are able to get assistance in getting their basic needs met and it unites them to advocate for policies that benefit everyone. WFWA has an 11 point benefit program that provides its members with resources that help them survive. Over the course of its history, WFWA has made connections in the community to secure professionals that volunteer their services to members. Members are able to receive assistance ranging from emergency food requests to legal advice to financial planning when they are needed. How can one change the things going on around them when they are constantly under the stress of trying to take care of their own survival?
You’re probably thinking: “How exactly does any of this work? How does organizing help these people ‘change their condition’?” Organizing creates a community where members are able to get assistance in getting their basic needs met and it unites them to advocate for policies that benefit everyone. WFWA has an 11 point benefit program that provides its members with resources that help them survive. Over the course of its history, WFWA has made connections in the community to secure professionals that volunteer their services to members. Members are able to receive assistance ranging from emergency food requests to legal advice to financial planning when they are needed. How can one change the things going on around them when they are constantly under the stress of trying to take care of their own survival?
benefit programs
The benefit programs at WFWA were deigned and created by and for members to meet their needs.
The 11 Point Program includes the following benefits:
- Emergency Food - Clothing - Non-Emergency Dental Care - Preventative Medical Care - Alcohol Information Center - Legal Benefit - Child Care - Job Referral Service - Association Newspaper - Information and Referral - Financial Advocacy |
Benefit Two Program
Members who find that they are chronically running into financial problems, or who have needs that fall outside of the basic benefit plan, are able to sign up for the Benefit Plan II. These members work with a volunteer caseworker to make a plan to help change their situation. This process requires member participation as this plan is intended to be a self help program that stems out of mutual benefit. Members make a commitment when they sign up for this program, and typically participate between six months to a year at a time. |
wfwa: a prehistory
WFWA’s formation was a direct response to social, economic, and political forces happening in the Pacific Northwest. While the formation of WFWA was in 1988, the seed that led to WFWA’s conception started in 1986.
In 1986, the U.S congress passed the Immigrant Reform and Control Act (IRCA). This piece of legislation was intended to reduce the number of illegal immigrants in the United States. The IRCA set out to do this by imposing harsher penalties on U.S. business owners who knowingly hired undocumented immigrants, imposing stricter border control, and creating an amnesty program which allowed for some undocumented immigrants to receive permanent residence if they met certain criteria.
With the increased crackdown on immigration and some confusion around the amnesty program, migrant workers were less apt to risk coming to work in the States. The confusion and fear resulting from this legislation resulted in one-third of the Oregon strawberry crop rotting in the fields, as the work force required to pick all the product was down 50-60%. This resulted in a significant loss for the agricultural industry in Oregon, losing millions of dollars.
Apple farmers in the state of Washington, with a record-breaking harvest in the making, saw the impact of the confusion created around this legislation and sensibly increased their advertising campaigns to ensure there were enough workers to harvest their crop. They had advertisements transmitted in California and Mexico calling for 45,000 farm workers, claiming that there was good money to be made due to a record-breaking harvest. Their efforts were incredibly successful, pulling upward of 50,000 workers to harvest apples.
Washington had the workers, however due to unfortunate weather, the crop was not ready for harvest. This left thousands of workers unemployed and stranded. The tale of affliction continues: on top of already having more workers than necessary, due to prolonged sun exposure, a large portion of the crop became unusable resulting in an even lower need for an already much too deep labor pool.
As a State, the result of having far too many displaced migrant workers is to re-place far too many migrant workers. Many of these workers were sent back down south, and many ended up in the Portland area. With the rising population of migrant workers in the area there became a growing need for labor organizing. Enter WFWA.
Over the course of years of organizing efforts, WFWA is over 15,000 members strong and has a physical office in Hillsboro, Oregon.
In 1986, the U.S congress passed the Immigrant Reform and Control Act (IRCA). This piece of legislation was intended to reduce the number of illegal immigrants in the United States. The IRCA set out to do this by imposing harsher penalties on U.S. business owners who knowingly hired undocumented immigrants, imposing stricter border control, and creating an amnesty program which allowed for some undocumented immigrants to receive permanent residence if they met certain criteria.
With the increased crackdown on immigration and some confusion around the amnesty program, migrant workers were less apt to risk coming to work in the States. The confusion and fear resulting from this legislation resulted in one-third of the Oregon strawberry crop rotting in the fields, as the work force required to pick all the product was down 50-60%. This resulted in a significant loss for the agricultural industry in Oregon, losing millions of dollars.
Apple farmers in the state of Washington, with a record-breaking harvest in the making, saw the impact of the confusion created around this legislation and sensibly increased their advertising campaigns to ensure there were enough workers to harvest their crop. They had advertisements transmitted in California and Mexico calling for 45,000 farm workers, claiming that there was good money to be made due to a record-breaking harvest. Their efforts were incredibly successful, pulling upward of 50,000 workers to harvest apples.
Washington had the workers, however due to unfortunate weather, the crop was not ready for harvest. This left thousands of workers unemployed and stranded. The tale of affliction continues: on top of already having more workers than necessary, due to prolonged sun exposure, a large portion of the crop became unusable resulting in an even lower need for an already much too deep labor pool.
As a State, the result of having far too many displaced migrant workers is to re-place far too many migrant workers. Many of these workers were sent back down south, and many ended up in the Portland area. With the rising population of migrant workers in the area there became a growing need for labor organizing. Enter WFWA.
Over the course of years of organizing efforts, WFWA is over 15,000 members strong and has a physical office in Hillsboro, Oregon.
my work and experience with wfwa
I started volunteering with WFWA prior to taking this class. I actually chose to do this capstone because it aligned with something that I was already doing. When I first came in to volunteer, I was helping the organization in its canvassing efforts. One of the main ways that WFWA and organizations like this gain membership is by going door to door and talking to people about their own working conditions and seeing if they would like to become a member.
Besides canvassing, I’ve been engaged in the organization in multiple ways, one of which being education. WFWA has an extensive education program that seeks to inform individuals about the fascinating and rich history of labor organizing as well as strategies for organizing. Through my engagement in the education program I’ve come to learn a lot about organizing and its history. One of the most outrageous things I’ve learned about labor organizing is that things like race have been used as tools by the employers to undermine efforts to organize and demand better conditions.
Another way in which I’ve helped the organization is through volunteering my time and labor for special events. WFWA does multiple events a year in which they are distributing a large amount of resources to families. I’ve helped with their annual “Back to School” and Thanksgiving distribution. I’ve also helped out with their Optic session, which is where members are able to come in for all extensive eye exams and receive glasses free of charge, and their Halloween party. And lastly, I accepted a position withing the organization as it's procurement coordinator meaning that I hold responsibility for helping procure goods for events that the organization is planning.
The experience I’ve had with WFWA has been unforgettable and though I’ll be moving after this term I will carry the lessons I’ve learned from them with me everywhere I go. And while this will be farewell, it is only farewell for now as I plan to come back to volunteer and participate in their education program when I’m available to.
Besides canvassing, I’ve been engaged in the organization in multiple ways, one of which being education. WFWA has an extensive education program that seeks to inform individuals about the fascinating and rich history of labor organizing as well as strategies for organizing. Through my engagement in the education program I’ve come to learn a lot about organizing and its history. One of the most outrageous things I’ve learned about labor organizing is that things like race have been used as tools by the employers to undermine efforts to organize and demand better conditions.
Another way in which I’ve helped the organization is through volunteering my time and labor for special events. WFWA does multiple events a year in which they are distributing a large amount of resources to families. I’ve helped with their annual “Back to School” and Thanksgiving distribution. I’ve also helped out with their Optic session, which is where members are able to come in for all extensive eye exams and receive glasses free of charge, and their Halloween party. And lastly, I accepted a position withing the organization as it's procurement coordinator meaning that I hold responsibility for helping procure goods for events that the organization is planning.
The experience I’ve had with WFWA has been unforgettable and though I’ll be moving after this term I will carry the lessons I’ve learned from them with me everywhere I go. And while this will be farewell, it is only farewell for now as I plan to come back to volunteer and participate in their education program when I’m available to.
for you
If reading about my experience with WFWA has encouraged or inspired you at all to do something about what is going on in our crazy world, I'd like to leave you with some additional resources to help educate yourself further on the matter of labor and labor organizing. These are both documentaries that are in the education program, and provide incredible insight into the reality of the labor worker.
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thank you for viewing my senior capstone
For more information about WFWA visit their website, give them a call, or come into the office! The doors are open 9am-9pm seven days a week. The issue of poverty isn't going anywhere without the support of people like you!
www.wfwahillsboro.org/ 503.681.9399 725 SE 7th Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97123 |