Senator Smallwood-Cuevas Introduces “Know Your Rights” Outreach Legislation to Empower Workers at Greatest Risk of Exploitation
Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) today announced the introduction SB 1030, new legislation that would codify a successful model of “know your rights” outreach to workers at high risk of exploitation. Sponsored by the California Coalition for Worker Power (CCWP), the bill builds on the success of state-community partnerships that helped millions of workers learn about and use laws protecting their workplace rights and health and safety. The education program is the first line of defense for millions of workers against wage theft, retaliation, denial of sick days, and workplace hazards.
“Every Californian deserves to know their rights at work. Yet many of the workers at risk of violations are the least likely to speak up about abuse, due to language barriers, uncertainty about their legal rights or the complaint process, and fear of retaliation,” said Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. “The California Workplace Outreach Project (CWOP) has shown that by partnering with community-based organizations, our labor agencies can reach millions of workers – in dozens of languages – that it could never reach on its own. Codifying this program reinforces our commitment to an equitable economy and the well-being of our workforce.”
CWOP has provided linguistically and culturally appropriate information to millions of California workers through a partnership between the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and more than 60 community-based organizations. SB 1030 establishes the time-limited program as an ongoing priority in state law. This bill would guarantee that California can quickly inform workers of both permanent rights and emerging threats, whether from wildfires, soaring heat, or viruses like COVID-19.
Initially established to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring workers were empowered with knowledge about emergency paid leave and workplace protections, CWOP was expanded to cover a broad range of rights last year. It reached over six million workers in 46 languages between February 2021 and May 2022. The success of the outreach relies on partnering with more than 60 community-based organizations with deep cultural and linguistic ties to the communities they serve. This “trusted messenger” model was central to Californians’ high completion rate in the 2020 U.S. Census and other organizations who know engaging the community through trusted relationships is paramount.
“When workers know their rights, they can identify, address, and sometimes even prevent workplace violations and hazards. There is no more effective way for workers to learn their rights on the job than meaningful conversations in their workplaces, homes and neighborhoods, in their primary languages, with organizers and other workers who possess first-hand knowledge of the unique challenges they face,” said CCWP Co-President Alexandra Suh.
Unscrupulous bosses are able to exploit workers by keeping them in the dark about workplace rights and threatening workers who come forward to report wage theft or other violations. In a 2022 survey, 38% of California workers reported having experienced a workplace violation. Workers in low-wage industries, non-English speaking workers, and immigrant workers are particularly vulnerable.
“Only exploitative bosses benefit when workers don’t know their rights. CWOP helps shift the imbalance of power that keeps low-wage workers vulnerable,” said CCWP Co-President Sheheryar Kaoosji. “That’s why funding a vibrant worker outreach strategy through CWOP must be an ongoing priority for legislators.”
Ana Padilla, Executive Director of the UC Merced Community and Labor Center, said, “Historically, workers in the San Joaquin Valley have faced some of the nation’s most challenging working conditions. CWOP provides resources for local organizations to reach workers employed at places like farms and poultry plants to inform them about their rights and available resources, and to help them access them.”
Senator Lola Smallwood Cuevas represents the 28th Senate District, which includes the communities of South Los Angeles, Culver City, West Los Angeles, Century City and Downtown Los Angeles. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas spent more than two decades serving as a labor organizer, civil rights activist and community advocate before her election to the State Senate. She resides in the View Park community of South Los Angeles with her family.
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