Victories

Fuerza believes that we make the road by walking it and that with hard work we can turn small victories into much larger ones.

Over our short history, Fuerza has raised awareness on labor issues in the Rio Grande Valley, used direct action and litigation to challenge dishonest labor practices, and established the center as a place where workers can get help with the injustices they face at work.

Over 600 workers from Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties came to our know-your-rights clinics last year to learn about state and federal labor protections and to take action against exploitative employers.

“It’s important to change the atmosphere of exploitation and make an example to other businesses. We are building community support in this movement to create a better valley.” —  Jorge, tortilleria worker

We filed two wage theft lawsuits in Federal Court against the owners of Asian Buffet and Tortilleria Capistran, helped the Department of Labor investigate labor violations at Taco Villa, Poncho’s México Nuevo Restaurant Grill, and Tortilleria Capistran, and held pickets at Zushi Restaurant, Taco Grill & Bar and Bella Hacienda Adult Day Care for stiffing their workers.

Fuerza has helped workers recover over $200,000 in unpaid wages. Each time we recover wages it shows other workers that something positive can be done to address the problem of wage theft.

As part of Build A Better Texas, we helped release an important report exposing the dangerous working conditions, low pay, and legal violations of the construction industry in Texas, advocated for stronger protections, and participated in the statewide Day of the Fallen action in Austin.

These efforts have resulted in legislation that better protects workers from wage theft and misclassification.

But what we’re most proud of is our role in empowering workers to stand up for their rights and those of their fellow workers in the face of intimidation and uncertainty.

Join us in the fight for worker rights!

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