Workers Defense Project Inc

Programs: Employment and legal services: each year, wdp helps hundreds of low-wage workers directly address serious workplace problems through its employment and legal services program (els). This program creates a pathway for individual justice as well as community involvement as members are empowered through their work on individual cases, they learn more about the importance of civic engagement and the need for systemic change in the construction industry. Specifically, els supports workers by a)educating workers on employment issues including basic workers' rights, safety, discrimination, and the family medical leave act; b) recovering wages for workers who have been denied payment for their work; c)helping injured workers receive medical attention and compensation; d)working with public agencies including law enforcement, department of labor, osha and the texas workforce commission to improve enforcement of existing worker protection policies and ensure low-wage worker's cases move forward in the system.

adult education and training: through the adult education and training program (aet), wdp coordinates activities to develop the organizing and self-advocacy skills of low-wage workers. Wdp offers the following classes through aet - a)the leadership institute which trains members to become the voice of future wdp campaigns through public speaking, direct action, strategic planning, and other classes; b)esl courses which are six-week beginner and intermediate courses that teach workers to develop

research and policy: wdp uses its research and policy program (rap) to illuminate the deficient working conditions of construction workers and to empower worker- members to engage with policymakers about creating systemic change. Through rap, wdp engages its members in a)research on the construction industry that provides detailed data to policymakers about workplace conditions and offers solutions to persistent problems in the industry; b)civic participation that empowers workers through voter