Labor organizations join to press for workers’ rights

The country's largest labor organization and a California based group that represents day labor centers nationwide joined forces Wednesday to press for workers' rights. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

The agreement between the AFL CIO and the National Day Laborer Organizing Center provides immigrant workers a strong ally to lobby for immigration reform.

The AFL CIO represents Nine-million members nationwide and has a large stable of lobbyists and lawyers.

The groups say they'll immediately begin pushing for an immigration bill that provides a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

AFL CIO President John Sweeney says they'll also work to combat exploitation immigrant laborers face. He says that will benefit his union's members.

Sweeney: "When standards are dragged down for some workers, they are dragged down for all workers."

The agreement doesn't make workers at day labor centers union members. Amy Isackson, KPBS News.

Forgot your password?