Workers Defense Project

Workers Defense Project Logo

Workers Defense Project is a member of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network

Center for Popular Democracy

As of February 20, 2023, Workers Defense Project is listed as an "affiliate" of the Center for Popular Democracy.,

Background

From the Center for Popular Democracy:

"Workers Defense Project began in 2002 as a small legal aid project that helped low-wage and immigrant workers recover unpaid wages from employers. By 2006, WDP understood that to address the systemic problems that affected its members, 80% of whom worked in construction, it needed to develop innovative organizing models that raise standards for low-income workers, while also serving workers traditionally excluded from organizing efforts, like immigrants and day laborers. WDP focused its organizing efforts on the Texas construction industry and, through its work, began to change the practices that led so many of its members to experience workplace problems. Throughout its history, Workers Defense Project has achieved widespread gains for low-wage workers in Texas.

Members of the WDP Leadership Council, 2016

• Kirk Adams, Service Employees International Union
• Henry Allen, co-chair, Highlander Research and Education Center
• Hector Cordero-Guzman, Baruch College, City University of New York
• Anna Fink, Wyss Foundation
• Tory Gavito, Texas Future Project
• Tefere Gebre, AFL-CIO
• Charlie Hale, Long Institute of Latin American Studies, University of Texas at Austin
• Rick Levy, co-chair, Texas AFL-CIO
• Mike Martinez, former Austin City Council Member
• William Rivas-Rivas, Animal Legal Defense Fund
• Edward Smith, Union Labor Life Insurance Company
• Dorian Warren, Columbia University

Staff

As of January 3, 2018;

• Jose P. Garza, Executive Director
• Amparo Herrera Hughes, Director of Operations
• Bo Delp, Better Builder Director
• Emily Timm, Senior Organizing Director – Founder
• Jason Cato, Dallas Area Director & Adult and Education Director
• Shana Khader, Interim Employment and Legal Services Director
• Stephanie Gharakhanian, Special Counsel
• Sam Robles, Communications Director
• Shannon Young, Development Manager
• Ana Gonzalez, Policy Advocate
• Candelario Vasquez, Health and Safety Organizer
• A. Mauricio Iglesias, Health and Safety Organizer
• Diana Ramirez, Dallas Campaign Manager
• Elizabeth Dorantes, Education Programs Coordinator
• Gabriela Rips, Finance Associate
• Jessica Wolff, Austin Business Liaison
• Jose Ruiz, Worksite Monitor
• Jose Roberto Sosa, Lead Worksite Monitor
• Juan Belman, Legal Services Coordinator
• Juan Luna, Austin Legal Manager
• Julia Kranzthor, Executive Projects Coordinator
• Karen Escobedo, Workplace Justice Organizer
• Maria De Jesus Garza, Dallas Campaign Organizer
• Marvin Wiser, Dallas Business Liaison
• Mayra Huerta, Dallas Legal Manager and Organizer
• Sasha Legette, Houston Business Liaison
• Shana Khader, Staff Attorney
• Sofia Morales, Austin Legal Manager
• Susan Zakaib, Grant Writer
• Veronica Bernal, National Coordinator

"Day of the Fallen"

Montserrat Garibay, Becky Moeller, Glenn Scott, Alice Embree

“Texas does not have to be the state with the highest death rate nor with the highest rate of injuries in construction. The legislature can turn this around by adopting our legislative agenda for better safety and health for the workers who build Texas. That is why we are here today,” Workers Defense Project Executive Director Cristina Tzintzun said at a rally on February 25, 2015.

One thousand construction workers and supporters marched to the Texas State Capitol on a cold, blustery day in late February to call for stronger safety and health protections. The march was sponsored by the Workers Defense Project to dramatize the high number of deaths and injuries suffered by construction workers in Texas. The Austin American-Statesman did not cover it at all. Telemundo gave the march and the rally professional coverage.

Among them were Montserrat Garibay (Education Austin), Becky Moeller (President, Texas AFL-CIO), The Rag Blog‘s Glenn Scott (retired National Nurses United organizer) and Alice Embree (Texas State Employees Union).