Highlights from our time at COSHCON2023!

View this email in your browser

Each year, the National COSH network hosts COSHCON, a gathering of worker leaders, advocates, and activists from across the country to learn, network, and build worker solidarity “to demand jobs that are safe, healthy, and free from exploitation and abuse.”

Oregon took a crew to Baltimore, Maryland for this year’s COSHCON2023, and we got to hear from incredible speakers like Julie Su (Acting Secretary of Labor) and Rebecca Dixon (President of the National Employment Law Project). We also got to see the network of organizations come together to collaborate and lead more than 35 bilingual interactive workshops ranging in topics from trauma and mental health in the workplace, workplace violence and bullying, how to end workplace sexual harassment, how to build health & safety committees, the new labor-based deferred action program, how to develop effective social media strategies, racism in our movement, OSHA complaints process and engagement, building worker power with popular education as a tool, heat & workplace campaigns, power of storytelling, and more!

In addition to these incredible workshops, the COSH network celebrated 20 worker leaders from across the country who were part of the first cohort of the WeRise! Leadership Academy. In this program, worker leaders commit to several months of trainings that center topics on workers’ rights and organizing approaches within the health and safety space. We are happy to announce that three of our very own worker leaders in Oregon will be part of the second leadership academy cohort! Here are a few words from them about their experience at COSHCON2023:

“It was all very nice. The workshops were very good, I liked how each person had the opportunity to ask questions and that's what you go to a workshop for, to ask questions. I liked everything.”

- Pedro

“I was very impressed to see the courage of many women who have raised their voices for their rights, which is not easy, but they fight for their rights to be respected and I think it is an impulse for me to help others and educate them. I don't want them to be afraid because they are immigrants and I want to continue to prepare myself to help those who need it. Also going to the White House, that was extraordinary for me. To know that you can do it!”

- Maria

"What excites me about the leadership program is learning more about the issues and projects they have developed so that we can work as a team with them and our community. Even develop the idea of a coalition in our community to support the thousands and thousands of workers who are working in deplorable conditions; let them know that we are working to have workshops where they can learn about health and safety in their work areas without fear of putting in a complaint to OSHA for the working conditions that their employers or managers make them work in, like retaliation, intimidation and even unfair dismissals."

- Sofía

Additional highlights from our time at COSHCON2023:

Two of our worker leaders joined a group of 75 workers to participate in an action at the White House to demand that President Biden renew a program called Labor-based Deferred Action that is currently expiring for some workers.
Kate Suisman, NWJP’s Attorney and Campaigns Coordinator, was recently recognized by National COSH with its “Worker Safety Champion Award”! This award celebrates an outstanding individual for their long-term career achievements in advancing workplace health and safety. Kate was recognized for her coalition and policy work that has made Oregon a state to model when it comes to strengthening worker protections like our heat and smoke rules and the right to refuse dangerous work.
Nicthé Verdugo, Worker Leadership Coordinator, was also voted in to become part of National COSH’s Board of Directors! In this new role, Nicthé will join 8 other representatives from across the country to support in steering the organization towards their mission and ensure that the organization has the resources to achieve their goals.

Donate Here. Your contribution makes our work possible!

STANDING FOR DIGNITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Copyright © 2023 Northwest Workers' Justice Project, All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.