Labor and the Immigrant
Rights Movement
UCLA Labor Center
Brian Chang, LAT, 5/1/06
Damon Winter, LAT, 5/1/06
Immigration History

America is a land of
immigrants.

More than 100 years ago,
immigrants from Europe,
including Ireland, Italy,
Poland, and Russia, built
some of the first unions.

Today, most immigrants
come from Latin America
and Asia, and are
following the tradition of
working hard for low
wages.

The 1990s witnessed the largest influx of immigrants
during any period in American history.

From 2000-2006, immigration accounted for
approximately 45% of the change in the U.S. population.
Immigrants today represent over 12% of all U.S.
residents.

Immigrants compose an increasingly large share of the
U.S. labor force and a growing share of low-wage
workers.

In 2005, immigrants made up about 15 % of the U.S.
civilian labor force and 20% of low-wage workers.

About 22 million, or 68 percent, of the foreign-born were
in the U.S. labor force in 2005.

Between 2000 and 2004 immigrant workers constituted
nearly half of the net increase in the U.S. labor force.
Robert Gauthier, LA Times 5/1/2006
Region of Birth of Employed Foreign-Born Workers in 2005
Mexico and Central America- 37%
Asia- 26%
Europe- 12%
Caribbean- 9%
South America- 7%
Other Areas- 8%
U.S Census Bureau, 2005

90% of new
immigrants work in the
private sector for
wages and salaries.

28% of new
immigrants work in the
construction and
manufacturing
industries.

Another 25% are
employed in the
leisure/hospitality and
other services
industries.

Of the 17.7 million foreign-born wage and
salary workers in the United States, 1 in
10 are members of unions.

The number of foreign-born union
members has increased since 1996, while
the number of native-born union
members has declined since 1996.
Robert Gauthier, LA Times 5/1/2006
AFL-CIO’s Historic Decision to Support
the Rights of Immigrant Workers
On February 16, 2000, the AFL-CIO's
executive council unanimously called for:
(1) the repeal of employer sanctions;
(2) legalization for the millions
undocumented immigrants in the US; and
(3) increased workplace protections for
immigrants.
Rick Loomis, LA Times 5/1/06
Linda Chavez-Thompson (2000) "Employers often
knowingly hire workers who are undocumented, and
then when workers seek to improve working
conditions, employers manipulate the law to fire or
intimidate workers. This subverts the intent of the law
and lowers working standards for all workers. The law
should criminalize employer behavior, not punish
workers."
AFL-CIO Town Hall
In 2000 the Labor Movement sponsored a
series of Town Halls to announce their new
policy on immigration.

The Los Angeles Town Hall event drew
national attention, filling the Sports Arena
with 16,000 immigrants, while thousands
rallied outside. This historic gathering
helped to build a strong coalition between
labor and immigrant rights groups.

Immigrant Worker Organizing
Time Line in California

1988-1992- The Los Angeles labor movement launches
the California Immigrant Workers Association (CIWA)
to build an associate membership organization of
immigrant workers linked to the labor movement.

June 15, 1990- Justice for Janitors Campaign – Janitors
and supporters beaten in Century City during an
organizing campaign. SEIU organizing campaign ended
in a huge victory.

July 1991- Following a wild cat strike at American
Racing Equipment, 1200 immigrant workers join the
International Association of Machinists (IAM), and win
a contract.

1992- Drywall Strike- Thousands of mostly
immigrant workers from Mexico launch a massive
strike among residential construction workers.
2400 immigrant drywallers join the Carpenters
Union- one of the largest organizing victories in the
building trades in recent decades.

1994- March Against Prop 187- Over 100,000 people
march in Downtown Los Angeles against the antiimmigrant initiative, the largest immigrant rights
rally in the country to date.

1999- 74,000 home care workers in Los Angeles join
the union, the largest union victory in decades.
Most are women, people of color, and immigrants.
Within 10 years, 200,000 home care workers are
unionized in California.

February 2000- AFL-CIO changes
immigration policy. Supports a new
general amnesty, an end to employer
sanctions and increased labor
protections for immigrant workers.

Oct. 2003- Immigrant Workers
Freedom Ride organized nationwide
bus trips, culminating in lobby visits in
D.C. and a massive rally in New York

2006- Largest Immigrant Rights
Marches in U.S. history held
throughout U.S.
Immigrants and Politics

The large infusion of immigrants into the electoral
arena has changed the political landscape.

Eligible immigrants have become citizens and
registered to vote in record numbers.

The immigrant vote has resulted in more victories
for pro-labor, progressive candidates, and helped
to transform politics throughout the country.
Communities of color and immigrants
overwhelmingly support Obama for President in
2008, providing the margin of victory.
Immigration Legislation

The last major piece of immigration reform
was in 1986, providing amnesty for millions
and enacting employer sanctions.

For 23 years, there has been no major
change in immigration law, and 12 million
undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.
today face harsh exploitation and abuse at
the hands of unscrupulous employers.

Today, a labor and community coalition is
again demanding Comprehensive
Immigration Reform and passage of the
DREAM Act.

Labor Movement Support for
Immigrant Rights
Basic Principles include:
1. Legalization with path to citizenship for
hard working immigrants.
2. An effective and workable visa program for
future immigrants.
3. Keep families together.
4. Protection of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
and an end to criminalization of immigrants.
5. Support the Dream Act, to provide legal
status for immigrant youth and students.