Made in LA, Agape Grantee Spring ‘07
According to the US Department of Labor, the first Monday in September is celebrated as Labor Day, dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well being of our country.
When I look at the grants Agape has awarded recently in support of worker’s rights, two groups of workers stand out as worthy of a tribute.
The first are the members of PAWIS, Peoples Association of Workers and Immigrants, that advocate for fair wages and affordable healthcare from their employers at the Oakland airport. What do they want? Job security, fair shift scheduling, wages paid for hours worked. Is that too much to ask for? These pre-board airportworkers don’t think so and they’re willing to fight for it.
The second are the three Latina women featured in Made in LA, an Emmy-nominated documentary about working in Los Angeles garment sweatshops’ and these women’s three-year odyssey to win basic labor protections. The clothes they make may cover our backs but their paychecks barely cover their cost of living. Watch this feature-length film to see for yourself the power of unity and the resilience and courage of workers fighting for their rights.
Celebrate their achievements and contributions and your own on Labor Day. We deserve it.