VOZ » General

Voz to Become a Membership-Based Organization

volunteercoordinator — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:35:39 +0000

In November VOZ began a new era, launching a campaign to invite day laborers at the Workers’ Center and on the corners to obtain the new VOZ I.D., which makes them members of the organization. With this I.D., VOZ will become a stronger, more visible organization that can win better conditions for workers.

With the membership I.D., day laborers can:

Identify themselves to employers as members of VOZ, which gives them a more professional image and assures them of better treatment.
Receive assistance in filing wage claims, even if they were hired on the corners.
Request a letter of recommendation from VOZ for a job application, etc.
Vote in the monthly assemblies.
Be elected to the Day Laborer Committee or the Board of Directors.
Keep their personal information and work history in the VOZ database, which gives them a series of rights.

These rights include:

The right to be assigned to work according to their capacity and experience.
The right to request a letter listing their experience and income to show when applying for a job or an apartment, requesting public assistance or reductions in hospital bills.
The right to have VOZ contact their family in Oregon, in another state or in their country of origin.

When day laborers have a VOZ I.D., employers will benefit too; they can:

Hire workers with confidence, knowing that they are members of VOZ and are backed by the organization.
Request a worker with special skills.
Submit an evaluation of the workers assigned to them—their comments will be entered in the database.

This historic moment is the fruit of more than a year’s effort by day laborers and VOZ staff. As the poet León Felipe wrote: “What’s important isn’t getting there quickly by yourself, but rather, getting there together and on time.”

New Hire Site Video

Romeo — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:09:52 +0000

We’ve created a new 1-minute video promoting the Portland Day Laborer Hire Site at 240 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, (between Everett and Davis). Come by when you need to hire day laborers, we’re open Monday to Saturday, 7am-2pm.

Day Laborer Hire Site phone is (503) 234-2043 or (503) 752-3619

Have questions about hiring a Day Laborer? Here are some frequently asked questions about hiring day laborers.

Day Laborer Center a historic victory!

Romeo — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:05:05 +0000

On Wednesday, March 5th, 2008, Portland�s City Council unanimously approved funding for VOZ�s new day labor center. This is a historic victory for VOZ and the day laborers, which will allow Portland to join with other cities around the country that have benefitted from day labor centers. As Mayor Potter voted in favor, he added, “As several of the commissioners have pointed out, this is about basic human dignity.”

The chamber in City Hall was filled with supporters wearing stickers that said “I support the day labor site!”, and over 20 people testified in support of VOZ, the day laborers, and the center. The City Council did not simply take a vote in favor of the center; they spoke out in strong support of the day laborer�s right to look for work, and their contributions to the Portland community and economy. After the meeting, day laborers and supporters gathered in the hall, chanting �Si se puede!

Day Laborers are a long established community who for over twenty years has successfully met business and labor needs in metropolitan Portland. A Day Laborer Center will cultivate the integration of day laborers, with full responsibilities, into the community where they live, seek employment and work.

A highly visible and accessible Day Laborer Center will help to streamline the process of connecting day laborers and employers. The Center will ensure that workers are able to put in an honest day’s work and receive an honest day’s pay, help maintain a minimum wage, safe working conditions, and discourage wage gouging.
VOZ is looking forward to opening the day labor center in Northeast Portland in early May!

Traditional Celebration of our Lady of Guadalupe

Romeo — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:52:04 +0000

Between the Day Laborers and Saint Francis of Assisi Church

December 12, 2007

This tradition began a few years ago with a group of day laborers who wanted to thank our Lady of Guadalupe for the work opportunities, and to ask her for continued protection in our daily struggle to look for work on the street corners

There will be:
Procession,
Prayer in the church,
Music dedicated to the Virgin,
and delicious Mexican tamales

Program

8:00 am: Procession and �Las Ma�anitas� starting from the corner of I-84 and MLK
8:15 am: We will pass by the second corner of 6th and Burnside
8:30 am: Prayer service in Saint Francis Church on S.E. 12th Avenue and Pine
9:30 am: Breakfast

Close soccer game between Day laborers last weekend Portland Vs Seattle

Ignacio — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 01:16:17 +0000

On Sunday, November 18, 2007, there was a great soccer game between the VOZ team of Portland, Oregon day laborers and the Casa Latina day laborers of Seattle, Washington.
This type of sports event is becoming a tradition now that this is the third consecutive year these two teams have played; the purpose has been to maintain communication and mutual support between the day laborers of both cities.� The game was a good opportunity for the day laborers to spend time together, exchange personal and work experiences, in order to have an idea about how day laborers from two northwest cities live.
The soccer game was hard fought and in 90 minutes the score was tied at 3 goals.� The Seattle team scored the first two goals, but the Portland team managed to tie the game, scored another goal, making it 3-2.� The Seattle team recuperated and in the last minute tied the game.� Afterward, Seattle broke the tie in overtime.

It was rainy with low temperatures, but that did not stop the two teams from participating.� Both teams had support during the entire game.

We will try to continue these sporting events because it is a great
opportunity for day laborers from these two cities to be together and
supporting one another.�� Congratulations to Seattle for its win.
We’ll see you soon for a revenge match!

Gran Baile de Salsa/Solidarity Salsa Party

Romeo — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:36:11 +0000

Friday September 21st at 8:00 PM
SEIU 503 Dance Hall
6401 SE Foster Rd

VOZ and Jobs with Justice present: A Solidarity Salsa Party Fundraising Event.

The event will include: Local Salsa DJ, silent auction, dance lessons, informational tables, food and drinks and more!

Tickets cost $15 and are on sale now!

Dance lessons from 8-9pm
For tickets and information or to volunteer, contact VOZ (503)233-6787. or JWJ (503)236-5573

Gran Baile de Salsa

Viernes 21 de Septiembre

SEIU 503 Salon de Baile
6401 SE Foster Rd
Hora-8:00pm

VOZ y Jobs With Justice Presentan: Gran Baile de Salsa para recaudar Fondos. En el evento habr�: DJ local , clases de-baile, mesas de Informaci�n, subasta silenciosa, comida, bebidas y Mucho M�s!

La clase de baile comienza de 8-9 pm

Boletos $15 dolares

Si quieres comprar tu boleto antes o ser voluntario para este evento llama a: VOZ (503) 233-6787 o JWJ (503) 236-5573

IV Convencion Nacional de Jornaleros y Jornaleras

Romeo — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:17:04 +0000

The 4th National Day Laborer Convention

“Working Today and Weaving Tomorrow”
National Labor College
10000 New Hampshire Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20903

Goals:

Strengthening the structure and by-laws of NDLON y at the same time
promoting a sense of unity, solidarity, brotherhood and fraternity between
everyone so that somehow or other we transform the national day labor
community.

Approve the general outlines for determining the job of the national
network over the next two years.

Strengthen the day labor organizations to make an impact on the regional
political context with respect to how municipalities intend to resolve the
day labor phenomenon.

Expand and strengthen the ties with sister organizations and allies;
including syndicates, academic institutions, civil rights groups,
communities of faith and public institutions, among others.

Expand the technical abilities and improve the conduct of day laborers and
organizers so that their position as directors and educators would be based
on critical analysis, strategy and democratic principles.

To bring the voices of the day laborers to Washington, D.C. in order to
tell their stories in front of Congress, the Press and National
Organizations.

To continue educating the elected officials so they support a just
immigration reform that is all inclusive and has a path to citizenship and
equality.� One that guarantees that day laborers will directly benefit.

Rebuild in a systematic fashion the diverse cultural expressions of the day
labor community so that it creates true organizational and educational
tools.

Northwest Day Laborer Conference

Romeo — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:39:41 +0000

More than 25 day laborers and organizers of the states of Washington and Oregon attended the second Northwest Day Laborers� Conference at Reed College in Portland on June 23-25, 2007 which was coordinated by the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.

It was an exchange of experiences, celebration and everyone present felt the spirit of solidarity. Sharing, teaching and learning was the theme that arose during the meeting.

The assembly focused on the internal difficulty the day laborers face, especially those in Portland and Cornelius who fight tirelessly to maintain their corners before those who do not want their presence in front of businesses or residences.
The conference approached these themes: the analysis of the day laborer power, legislative analysis about immigration, how a bill is converted into a law, principal proposals, how a proposal would affect or benefit day laborers, how to lobby, rights and strategies about raids, how to better communicate regionally in order to strengthen the support, etc.

The Regional Convention humanized the day laborer worker through art and culture. During the talent evening, day laborers sang, recited poems and acted. The day laborers told other communities and the world that besides doing heavy and dirty work, they are singers, poets, and actors.

The day laborers gave a press conference in which they spoke against the bill that actually was discussed in the Senate because it would exclude a part of them. In order for this community of day laborers to support the proposal, there need to be substantial changes that go from the cost, reuniting family, the point system, guest worker programs, the prerequisite of having fulltime work among others. We, as day laborers, feel we are outside of the debate and the bill presented in the Senate does not approach our necessities. Instead of helping us, this bill would make our situation worse. There was conversation about the Del Monte raid which was covered by Channels 2, 6, and Univisi�n in Spanish which was seen at a national level. We visited local Congress members David Wu and Earl Blumenauer to talk with them about their support of a legalization that includes the day laborers. It was a total success!

Legal Observer Protocol

Romeo — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 01:11:07 +0000

For further information, check out http://detentionwatchnetwork.org/communitymaterials under "From Raids to Deportation, a Community Resource Kit."

Legal observers should:

Assign roles to each observer: videographer and notetaker

Bring a camera, video or still, a notebook, a cell phone, a contact list

Use your three magic phrases:

1. �I am here to observe, I do not intend to interfere.�

2. �I do not consent to a search.�

3. �Am I free to go?�

Each note entry should begin with the time and location.

Stay at least 10 feet away from the interaction, and do not distract the officer or the arrestee.

If someone is arrested or abused, try and get their contact information and the contact information of any witnesses.

You have the right to videotape the police and ICE, and do not have to give them your camera or your tapes.

Gather info on HOW ICE enforces the law: providing good hard facts (videos and notes) to lawyers– this is what is often lacking. Witnesses in immigrations cases are often deported, detained in unknown places, or afraid to testify: our data can fill this in.

Make careful notes to show if immigration officers have based their arrest on skin color, language, or name (see above). For example, if an agent spends 30 seconds on the corner before deciding to make an arrest/action, this is not enough time for them to have a legal probable cause. Questions relating to people's ethnicity, nationality, language, etc. are also tip-offs that should be noted.

Ask officers: "Do you have a warrant for this person's arrest?" This is good data to collect: ie, if 12 arrests occurred, none with warrants, we could point to a pattern of abuse.

If we have any evidence, lawyers can go to a judge before someone is removed to a detention center on the other side of the country, and say to the judge, �no, don�t move this person to another circuit. They have to have a trial.� Portland, in the 9th circuit, has better judges and this is one of our best options for intervening.

Teach day laborers the three magic phrases:

�I do not consent to a search�

�I do not wish to talk to you. I want to talk to a lawyer.�

�Am I free to go?�

These can be said in English or Spanish (ICE officers will probably speak Spanish). Saying these phrases might prevent officers from collecting information without probable cause� info is often collected by cops who are �fishing��through �casual� conversations that give them the probable cause they need.

Just be there: arrests could be worse if there wasn't an observer there.

Unfortunately, violation of search and seizure laws by immigration officers can't be enforced. (Again, this is because immigration law is civil, not criminal, law.) Only in cases of outrageous behavior by federal agents (detaining people without food, etc) can you press charges against federal agents. (These charges, in the best cases, might lead to the suppression of evidence obtained under duress, etc).

May Day March

Romeo — Sat, 19 May 2007 00:17:55 +0000

On May 1, 2007, International Workers’ day, Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition held its second successful march for immigrant and workers’ rights. 6,000 people attended the rally, standing in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in other parts of the state and nation to demand an end to the inhumane treatment of immigrants in this country through just and comprehensive immigration reform. This is a crucial time for such political action: immigrants are being terrorized by raids; families are being seperated; workers’ rights are regularly violated. We hope that the rally on May 1st, and others like it, sent a powerful message to the lawmakers who are presently making decisions which will directly effect immigrant communities in the future. Voz thanks all who showed their support and commitment to the cause by attending the march on Tuesday, and all those who showed their support in other ways- all the volunteers who made flyers, ran ads, helped up to obtain march permits, helped with the security- your contribution makes a real difference to us! We hope you will continue to take political action- the struggle and movement are far from over!