This weekend the UCLA community will observe Labor Day, a holiday that recognizes the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity and well-being. For many low-wage and gig workers, however, it will be just another day on the job. It is important that we remember that this is a federal holiday and is the result of labor activists pushing for this recognition, as well as other needs of the labor organizing community.
This issue of Diversity Digest aims to help us understand labor issues that affect our communities today and the research dedicated to finding ways to address them.
Understand The Fast-Food Industry and COVID-19 in Los Angeles, a report from the UCLA and UC Berkeley Labor Centers, finds that working conditions in the Los Angeles fast-food industry lead to an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission in communities of color, and $1.2 billion in public costs as a result of low wages that have plagued the industry for years.
Listen
For Re:Work Radio, Saba Waheed and Veema Hampapur, M.A. '10, Ph.D. '16, of the UCLA Labor Center share the story of Adolfo González's decades long journey to provide for his family while pursuing his education.
Learn Dismantling Disparity: Breaking Barriers to Employment, a new research brief by CARE At Work at the UCLA Labor Center, states that the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the systemic discrimination Black workers have long faced.
Pitch Your Story
The Re:Work Radio team is always looking for compelling stories about workers, immigrants and people of color. Pitch your story by email veenash@ucla.edu.
