The Latest From The “Jobs For Justice” Website-Excluded Workers Congress Convenes International Conference

Click on the headline to link to the Jobs For Justice website.

Excluded Workers Congress Convenes International Conference

By jwjnational, on May 20th, 2011

AFL-CIO President Trumka and Domestic Workers United sing partnership agreement.

On May 10-12 in New York, NY, the Excluded Workers Congress convened its first International Conference to strategize the way forward for workers in sectors unprotected by current US labor laws. With allies from throughout the world, including worker organizations from India and South Africa, the discussion focused on identifying pressure points in global capital where excluded workers could continue to build power. Annanya Bhattacharjee of the Asia Floor Wage campaign lifted up strategies that crossed national borders, lifting the floor for everyone. Pat Horn, of the South African organization StreetNet International, drew similarities between excluded workers in the US and the movement to promote the rights of street vendors in South Africa. And Ashim Roy of the New Trade Union Initiative in India, lifted up the need from stronger coordination across borders, and noted that many of the Indian guestworkers now organized within the National Guestworkers Alliance were members of NTUI back home in India.


Jobs with Justice delegation to the Excluded Worker Congress conference.
In keeping with tradition, the Congress was launched with a bang—with President Trumka joining the opening press conference to sign partnership agreements between the AFL-CIO and the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the National Guestworkers Alliance. These partnerships indicate the exciting and complex relationship between sectors of the Excluded Workers Congress and allies within the trade union movement—opening the door to improved collaboration, locally and nationally.

Specific strategy sessions were held around the primary campaigns of the Excluded Workers Congress—including the Power Act, which would protect guest workers from employer retaliation if they file a labor complaint, and the minimum wage.

The Excluded Workers Congress will convene again in the fall.