Workers Defense Project

Employment and legal services: each year, wdp assists thousands of low-wage Workers in addressing serious workplace issues through its employment and legal services program (els). Specifically, els supports Workers by: a) recovering back wages for Workers who have been denied payment for their work; b) assisting injured Workers to receive medical attention and compensation; c) providing pro-se trainings that orient and prepare low-wage Workers and independent contractors to represent themselves in justice court; d) connecting Workers to social service agencies and partner attorneys; e) assisting individuals to apply for daca and obtain immigration relief and employment authorization.

Better builder policy: the better builder policy program aims to illuminate the deficient working conditions of construction Workers and to empower worker-members to engage with policy-makers about creating systemic change. Through bbp, wdp engages its members in: a) research on the construction industry that provide detailed data to policymakers about workplace conditions and offers solutions to persistent problems in the industry; b) policy advocacy that develops the leadership skills of grassroots community members to speak for their communities; c) a worker committee that meets weekly to address serious workplace issues at a systemic level.

Organizing: the organizing program at wdp focuses on growing membership, developing member committees, and developing new member leaders to lead their community to take action through: a) leadership development courses that focus on building advocacy skills and an understanding of the root causes of inequality; b) civic participation that empowers Workers through voter registration and candidate forums.

Emergency assistance: provided critical resources and assistance to high-risk Workers and community members impacted by the covid-19 pandemic.