VOZ

On Wednesday, March 5th, 2008, Portland‚s City Council unanimously approved funding for VOZ‚s new day labor center. This is a historic victory for VOZ and the day laborers, which will allow Portland to join with other cities around the country that have benefitted from day labor centers. As Mayor Potter voted in favor, he added, “As several of the commissioners have pointed out, this is about basic human dignity.”

The chamber in City Hall was filled with supporters wearing stickers that said “I support the day labor site!”, and over 20 people testified in support of VOZ, the day laborers, and the center. The City Council did not simply take a vote in favor of the center; they spoke out in strong support of the day laborer‚s right to look for work, and their contributions to the Portland community and economy. After the meeting, day laborers and supporters gathered in the hall, chanting ¡Si se puede!

Day Laborers are a long established community who for over twenty years has successfully met business and labor needs in metropolitan Portland. A Day Laborer Center will cultivate the integration of day laborers, with full responsibilities, into the community where they live, seek employment and work.

A highly visible and accessible Day Laborer Center will help to streamline the process of connecting day laborers and employers. The Center will ensure that workers are able to put in an honest day’s work and receive an honest day’s pay, help maintain a minimum wage, safe working conditions, and discourage wage gouging.
VOZ is looking forward to opening the day labor center in Northeast Portland in early May!

As one plows
Furrows in the earth
So the day laborer plows,
With his passes,
The corners,
It is obvious that in his mind
He pictures his family
Who he loves
Who yearn for him, and wait for him.

Who is he…?
He who comes from afar
To water foreign lands
With his sweat?
He…He is a man
Called a day laborer,
Neither cold,
Nor rain,
Will detain him.

Eligio Mendoza

Between the Day Laborers and Saint Francis of Assisi Church

December 12, 2007

This tradition began a few years ago with a group of day laborers who wanted to thank our Lady of Guadalupe for the work opportunities, and to ask her for continued protection in our daily struggle to look for work on the street corners

There will be:
Procession,
Prayer in the church,
Music dedicated to the Virgin,
and delicious Mexican tamales

Program

8:00 am: Procession and “Las Mañanitas” starting from the corner of I-84 and MLK
8:15 am: We will pass by the second corner of 6th and Burnside
8:30 am: Prayer service in Saint Francis Church on S.E. 12th Avenue and Pine
9:30 am: Breakfast