CASA Latina day laborers are recruited by the Laborers Union

On March 18, 2008, NW Laborers International Union of North American (LIUNA) organizers, Juan Galindo and Vincent Herrera, came to CASA Latina to answer questions of interested and qualified CASA Latina members. This meeting followed another meeting two weeks previous where Juan and Vincent had presented information about joining the union to 35 CASA Latina members at the Day Workers' Center. There was lots of enthusiasm and great interest in joining the Laborers Union. However, of the 35 attendees, only 2 had the minimum requirements-- proof of a 10th grade education and a driver's license. CASA Latina organizer, Pedro Jimenez, spent the next two weeks finding thirteen workers that met LIUNA's minimum requirements and collecting copies of their documents. These qualified workers then met with LIUNA organizers to hear more about the next steps for joining the union. An assessment of these workers will be set for April and in May the chosen workers will attend a one-week apprenticeship training given in Spanish and scheduled especially for CASA Latina day laborers.