Overcoming the Technology Gap

“People with digital knowledge, understanding of their basic labor rights and united in worker-owners cooperatives will force the unjust labor systems to shift into a new way of understanding business.”

Fuerza Laboral, in collaboration with Microsoft TechSpark, will provide free training in digital and computer literacy for Rhode Islanders, to Improve access to and competence with current technology to improve job prospects for the low-income immigrant community.

- Education in computer and digital literacy with a bilingual approach.

 - Familiarity with and confidence in navigating online work-related systems, including the RI Department of Labor and Training's webpage.

 - Methods and tips to get to know one's basic labor and human rights and be civically active in the digital era.

 - How to write a CV and share it digitally with potential employers, how to manage an online job-seeker profile at LinkedIn, and how to conduct web-based job searches.


Union Membership Growth in 2023

Labor movement is getting stronger every year, and young people are at the forefront! this is the time to believe in solidarity economy!
even though Corporations spend more than $400 million per year to stop worker organizing, nothing will stop us employees from having a voice at the workplace.

Workers are fed up with low wages, few benefits, and a lack of dignity and respect on the job, which is precisely why more are interested in joining a union now than ever before. Although union density remained flat in 2023, that doesn’t reflect the surging momentum that working people have carried into this year. Waves of workers across industries and geography are joining unions despite vicious union-busting campaigns by large corporations.

Wage Theft Meeting with the RI DLT

Last week we hosted the monthly RI DLT Community Engagement Partners. this time we focused on the topics of Wave Theft and the recourses DLT has to combat it. We had the chance to share our long history on the issue and what we have learn from it.

Was a wonderful time with great Latin breakfast and great company.

Muchísimas Gracias!

We are beyond grateful and amazed at the turn out at our INAUGURATION / OPEN HOUSE of our new headquarters!!

Everything from the food, the speeches, the weather, the decorations and the conversations exceeded expectations!

Too many people to thank and list but each and everyone of you have made this event once in a lifetime!

More footage and information to come! stay tuned!



Fuerza Laboral Inaugurates New Building to Celebrate 17th Anniversary!

The celebration of a dream come true: Fuerza Laboral has purchased a building to serve as the headquarters for our programs and Worker-Owned Cooperative Incubator! 

On October 5th, 2023, at 5PM, we are holding an Inauguration Open House at our new building: 6 Chace's Lane, Central Falls, RI 02863.

 

David Cicilline, President of the Rhode Island Foundation, will give the Keynote Address and join Fuerza Laboral's Executive Director Heiny Maldonado in cutting the ribbon to mark the official opening. 

 

Join us and take a tour of our 14,810 sq. ft. facility and learn about the projects we have in store for each of the spaces--projects that will allow us to exponentially grow our Worker-Owned Cooperative Business Incubator and house multiple co-ops under the same roof. 

Initial team of Construction Worker-Cooperators begins meeting and training

Our initial cohort of Construction Worker-Cooperators have begun to meet and train to be able to launch the first construction workers’ cooperative in the State of Rhode Island! This is a project we are developing with IUPAT DC 11, the Painters’ Union, and the worker cooperative will become a Painters’ Union signatory. That’s right, a unionized, worker-owned cooperative!

Fuerza Laboral Purchased Our New Headquarters!

After 17 years of renting our offices, Fuerza Laboral, thanks to a loan from the Cooperative Fund of the North East and a grant from the US Department of Agriculture, bought our own building! With nearly 15,000 square feet of space, there is enough room to house or offices, programs, and incubate worker-owned cooperatives right on site. Come visit us at 6 Chace’s Lane, Central Falls, RI 02863!

Fuerza Laboral receives the Kelly Impact Award from Social Enterprise Greenhouse

The Kelly Impact Prize is awarded to a business or nonprofit that has participated in a past program of Social Enterprise Greenhouse and is actively involved in SEG’s ecosystem and has demonstrated significant contributions and potential to support making Rhode Island a more just, equitable, and resilient economy.

The Kelly Impact Prize was started last year in honor of SEG’s previous CEO, Kelly Ramirez and the impact she’s had on the entrepreneurial space and her contributions to Rhode Island.

Fuerza Laboral is a graduate of the Nonprofit Innovation Lab, a past participant in SEG’s technical assistance programs, and a committed partner and collaborator with SEG's ecosystem. As a workers' rights center in Central Falls whose mission is to shift the balance of power in our economy towards labor, Fuerza Laboral's support of worker-owned co-ops and commitment to ensuring all workers have access to living-wage employment is strongly aligned with SEG's vision of a more just, equitable, and resilient economy. Fuerza Laboral's existing programs and advocacy have already created positive change in our communities and their new space in Central Falls creates an opportunity to take their work and impact even further.

SEG was proud to announce Fuerza Laboral as the 2023 winner of the Kelly Impact Prize for $20,000.