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JUNTA DIRECTIVA California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public interest law firm established in 1981, based in Sacramento, with satellite offices throughout the state . CRLAF represents farm workers and other low-wage workers in rural California, and is also a State Bar-funded legal services support center providing training, advocacy and technical assistance to California’s federal legal services programs. Our litigation and policy priority areas include labor, housing, civil rights, sustainable rural communities, health and immigrants’ rights. CRLAF has successfully sponsored or co-sponsored legislation in each of these areas, including the Farm Labor Contractor Act, the Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), the Employee Housing Act, Field Pesticide Posting requirements and dozens of other statutes. Equal Opportunity Employer: California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, color, religion, gender identity and/or expression, physical or mental disability, nationality, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We believe everyone has something important to contribute. Respecting individual differences is an integral part of our culture and we endeavor to make our differences work for us to achieve our mission. FULL-TIME SUMMER LEGAL FELLOWS FOR IMMIGRATION AND WORKERS’ RIGHTS Position: Full-Time Summer Legal Fellows to assist with immigration and/or labor and employment cases Period: Approximately from May 1, 2026 to September 16, 2026 Location: Sacramento, California About Position: CRLAF seeks law students with a strong commitment to public interest and social justice to serve as California Bar Foundation Legal Aid Leader Fellows. Under the supervision of experienced attorneys, Fellows will gain practical experience working directly with clients, completing legal research, preparing briefs to support client’s claims in litigation, and preparing documents for review by USCIS and/or the immigration court. Fellows will receive training and may assist with community presentations on Know Your Rights and responding to questions on immigration and labor rights. Fellows can pick between working with the Litigation Unit and Immigration Unit. Requirements and Qualifications: The Summer Fellowship is full-time, 37.5 hours per week for 10 weeks. CRLAF offers a flexible summer work schedule to accommodate any personal needs or travel plans. Rising 2L or 3L Interest in immigration and/or labor and workers’ rights in California Demonstrated commitment to social justice and the empowerment of immigrant communities Experience working with low-income, immigrant, migrant, farmworker, non-English speaking families, and ability to engage people from all backgrounds with both patience and sensitivity when listening to clients’ stories Fluency in Spanish or locally spoken indigenous language, preferred but not required Ability to work independently, as demonstrated by a positive track record of independent decision-making Valid California Driver License, preferred but not required Willingness to remain in close communications with the California Bar Foundation about your work Stipend: The successful candidate will receive a stipend of $10,000, funded by the California Bar Foundation. Application Information: If interested, please email your cover letter, resume, and list of 3 professional references to jobs@crlaf.org . Please address the cover letter to “Hiring Committee” and write your preference for either “Immigration Summer Legal Fellow” or “Litigation Summer Legal Fellow” in the email subject line. Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled. LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR/SENIOR LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATE Position: Legislative Director / Senior Legislative Advocate (full-time, FLSA exempt positions) Location: Sacramento, California Experience: 3-5 Five+ years directly relevant legislative or litigation experience Job Categories: Senior Management; Project Director; Legislative Advocacy Start Date: Immediate Duties + Responsibilities: Reporting to the Executive Director and Deputy Director, the Legislative Director’s duties include day to day supervision of several lobbyists and advocates, as well as serving as CRLAF’s chief Labor/Judiciary lobbyist. The Legislative Director also conducts our “California Advocacy for Farm Workers” project, which advocates for undocumented farmworkers and the rights of farmworkers employed in the H-2A visa contract labor program (‘Bracero 2.0’). The Senior Advocate’s duties include all of the above responsibilities except for a supervisory role over the legislative unit. Minimum Qualifications: Significant prior experience at the senior staff level in the Legislature or as a registered lobbyist, with a history and track record of developing and successfully shepherding legislation through the legislative process. However, significant plaintiff-side litigation experience representing low-wage workers under California or federal labor, housing, civil rights or immigrants’ rights laws, with a willingness to be trained in the California legislative process, is also qualifying experience for the senior legislative advocacy role (with a track to eventual assumption of the Legislative Director position). Law degree, civil rights, community organizing, labor union, farm worker, non-profit organization, or plaintiff-side law firm experience are also desirable, as is Spanish language proficiency. Hours, Compensation, + Benefits: Salary Range: $95,000.00 - $145,000.00 Salary/year; dependent on experience Employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees (with half-paid coverage for dependents) Flexible spending account benefits Employer-sponsored retirement plan with an annual CRLAF contribution Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday package CRLAF has a 37.5 hour, 5-day work week Application Information: Please send a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and a list of at least three references to Amagda Pérez at aperez@crlaf.org . (Applicants may also wish to provide video or audio links to some of their recent substantive testimony or appearances before the Legislature, administrative agencies or the courts.) For questions, please call (916) 446-7904, ext. 101. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position is open until filled.

CRLAF is a privately funded rural justice center focused serving farmworkers and low-wage laborers, regardless of immigration status. California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation FARM WORKER RIGHTS. HUMAN RIGHTS. Thank you to everyone who donated to CRLAF for Year End Giving! Thank you to our generous supporters for all of your donations last year. Your gifts help us respond to the urgent and evolving needs of immigrant and rural communities across California. Thank you for helping us continue to fight for justice in the fields, in the legislature, and in our communities. Your support enables us to provide critical legal assistance, advocate for fair policies, and engage directly with communities around issues such as immigration and removal defense, labor and employment rights, worker health and safety, housing advocacy, and sustainable rural communities. We are deeply grateful for our community partners and advocates and their commitment to justice and dignity for all. In 2026, we remain committed to advancing justice. Our work continues, and together, we move forward. Farmworker + Immigrant Rights We are the sons and daughters of farmworkers. We believe justice and dignity are inalienable human rights, and fight for greater access for migrant farmworker and immigrant communities across the state. Read More > CRLA Foundation Joins UFW Foundation & United Farm Workers in Lawsuit Challenging Unlawful Farmworker Wage Cuts. New federal rule would slash farmworker pay by $5–$7 per hour and shift $2.46 billion annually from workers to employers—one of the largest wage transfers in U.S. agricultural history. Read More > Press Release on Incoming Administration While many of the serious problems clients faced in the previous Trump administration may reoccur; CRLAF stands firmly with rural residents, partner organizations, legal aid providers, and other advocates to fight for family unity, justice and equity. Read More > See More News

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Richard M. Pearl, Esq., Chair Law Offices of Richard M Pearl "I first got involved with farm workers when I started working with CRLA INC, in the in 1975. In the early 1980s when legal aid was under attack on a national level, we knew lobbying in particular. would be under attack; that's when CRLAF was born. Today, thanks to a cadre of visionary supporters, CRLAF remains privately funded legal aid program, doing incredibly important work that federally funded legal aid organizations are prohibited from doing." Rosa Armendariz Diablo Valley College Joseph Jaramillo, Esq. Housing & Economic Rights Advocates "I think that it’s difficult to pass strong protective legislation given the power and influence of big agribusinesses.That is why it is so important to have an organization like CRLA Foundation advocating for needed changes." Manuel Magana Retired Farm Worker "I started working with César Chavez in the 1970s. By the 1980s legal aid was under fire and we had to find another way to continue the important work. I am proud to have been on the forefront of creating CRLA Foundation. We have worked really hard for the rights of the farm workers for many years and still there are many things that need to change. One of the achievements in this fight is that farm workers now have access to a bathroom wherever they are working." Rosario Vásquez Community Representative Virginia Villegas, Esq. Villegas Carrera LLP "Over the years, I've seen first-hand the legislative work they engage in and the positive effects it has for low-wage workers throughout the state. CRLAF not only provides legal representation, but advocates on behalf of marginalized communities. If it were not for CRLAF these communities would not be getting the critical services they need." Please reload

ABOGACIA LEGISLATIVA Una voz para los trabajadores y familias de bajos salarios en el capitolio estatal Fue a fines de la década de 1970 y el comienzo de la escuela se pospuso continuamente para que los niños trabajadores agrícolas pudieran estar en los campos para la cosecha en lugar de estar en clase. Un grupo de defensores llevó al distrito escolar a los tribunales alegando que la práctica era ilegal. Ellos ganaron Lo que sucedió después es la razón por la cual existe CRLAF: en lugar de cumplir con la ley, la junta escolar, compuesta por empresarios políticamente poderosos, cambió la ley para proteger sus intereses comerciales. Desde ese momento nació CRLAF. Nuestros defensores representan a trabajadores agrícolas y trabajadores de bajos salarios en todo California. Nuestros defensores legislativos participan en investigaciones orientadas a políticas y encuestas de campo de trabajadores agrícolas; llevar a cabo actividades de promoción legislativa y administrativa en las áreas de salario y hora, seguro de desempleo y derecho de los trabajadores agrícolas, tanto a nivel estatal como federal, y brinda capacitación, asistencia técnica y apoyo de defensa a los programas de servicios legales de California. Los principales objetivos del proyecto son: Ampliar las leyes laborales estatales que afectan los derechos de los trabajadores agrícolas y otros trabajadores de bajos salarios. Para mejorar y reformar los esfuerzos estatales de aplicación de la ley laboral, particularmente en la economía sumergida Asumir un papel de liderazgo al oponerse a los esfuerzos legislativos o reglamentarios para debilitar los derechos laborales nuevos o existentes que afectan a los trabajadores de bajos salarios, y especialmente a los trabajadores agrícolas y sus familias. Para llevar a cabo investigaciones relacionadas con políticas públicas y legales, educación y esfuerzos de medios Iniciar la capacitación de defensores, abogados y personal de agencias sobre las leyes laborales patrocinadas por la Fundación CRLA. Para monitorear las admisiones de trabajadores invitados en California bajo el programa federal H-2A Para participar en los esfuerzos nacionales de promoción en torno a los programas de trabajadores invitados y la legalización de los trabajadores agrícolas. Las actividades no relacionadas con el cabildeo del proyecto son, y han sido durante muchos años, generosamente apoyadas por la Fundación Rosenberg. El Proyecto de Derecho Laboral y Laboral está dirigido por el Director Adjunto y Director Legislativo de CRLAF, Mark Schacht. Un veterano de 25 años de Capitol Hill y Sacramento con una larga trayectoria de exitosa defensa legislativa y regulatoria en nombre de los trabajadores inmigrantes de bajos salarios, y en particular los trabajadores agrícolas. email@markschacht.com o 510-812-5399 Un historial de éxitos CRLAF patrocinó, copatrocinó o jugó un papel decisivo en la aprobación de los siguientes proyectos de ley, incluida la Ley General de Abogados Privados del Código Laboral (PAGA) . Esta legislación histórica crea un derecho privado de acción para hacer cumplir las disposiciones de la ley laboral de California previamente reservadas para su aplicación únicamente por el estado. CRLAF escribió el primer borrador y copatrocinó el proyecto de ley original (SB 796) con la Federación Laboral de California, AFL-CIO. Los empleadores inmediatamente hicieron grandes esfuerzos para derogar por completo PAGA una vez que entró en vigencia. Este esfuerzo alimentó un estancamiento presupuestario que solo se resolvió después de extensas negociaciones que condujeron a la promulgación de un proyecto de ley posterior (SB 1809) que preservó el impulso de PAGA, al tiempo que requirió agotamiento administrativo antes de que se otorgara el derecho a demandar. [ Texto de Bill capitulado de SB 796 . Historia legislativa completa de SB 796 . Texto de Bill capitulado de SB 1809 . Historia legislativa completa de SB 1809. ] Current Work Aún no hay ninguna entrada publicada en este idioma Una vez que se publiquen entradas, las verás aquí. 2015 Combating Wage Theft -- AB970 CRLAF was the sponsor of AB 970 (Nazarian), which closed gaps in the Labor Commissioner’s legal authority that precluded her from issuing citations to employers for two increasingly common underground economy wage theft violations: illegal deductions made from workers’ wages for tools or equipment, and payment of sub-minimum wages below levels mandated by applicable local ‘living wage’ laws. Not only has AB 970 increased the likelihood that more workers victimized by unscrupulous employers will actually recover their stolen wages as a result of a Labor Commissioner workforce-wide investigation and citation process for these two violations, but AB 970 will also reduces state costs associated with the remedying of these violations through individual Berman hearings or civil lawsuits. [Chaptered Bill Text . Legislative History .] 2014 Preventing Sexual Harassment -- SB 1087 SB 1087 attacks a widespread culture of sexual harassment of farm worker women by FLCs and their supervisors through a combination of mandatory annual sexual harassment prevention training and testing of licensees; annual training of their supervisors; and by training of farm workers in how to prevent, identify and report sexual harassment. The bill also makes more than a dozen other needed changes to the state Farm Labor Contractor Act, including authorizing the Labor Commissioner to take adverse license actions against sexual predators. [Chaptered Bill Text . Complete Legislative History.] Penalties for Employers' Failure to Pay Wages on Time -- AB 1723 AB 1723 requires the Labor Commissioner, when she cites for a minimum wage violation, to also determine whether workers are owed ‘waiting time’ penalties for an employer’s failure to pay all wages when due. The bill has major financial implications for farm workers and other low wage workers, whose unpaid minimum wages are often far less than any applicable ‘waiting time’ penalties. [Chaptered Bill Text . Complete Legislative History .] Joint + Several Liability for Wage Theft --AB 1897 AB 1897 makes most California employers (including growers) jointly and severally liable for their labor contractors’ wage theft and worker’s compensation violations for the first time under California law. (CRLA Foundation has unsuccessfully pursued similar legislation in the past that would have applied only to growers and their FLCs.) AB 1897 was sponsored by the state Labor Federation, the Teamsters, and the UFCW. CRLA Foundation was a significant partner in testimony before key committees, and in lobbying for passage and a signature for the bill. [Chaptered Bill Text . Complete Legislative History .] 2013 Successorship Liability for Wage Theft -- SB168 SB 168 dramatically revises successorship liability law to greatly strengthen legal protections for farm workers against Farm Labor Contractors’ wage theft, which is often committed as part of a fraudulent shutdown of their contracting business. [Chaptered Bill Text and complete Legislative History .] Immediate Recovery of Unpaid Minimum Wages -- AB 442 AB 442 requires the Labor Commissioner, when she issues a citation for a minimum wage violation, to also recover liquidated damages for victimized workers in an amount equal to the total amount of their unpaid minimum wages. This is another bill which puts money directly in the pockets of aggrieved low wage workers victimized by wage theft. [Chaptered Bill Text . Complete Legislative History .] Mandated Heat Stress Recovery Period -- SB 435 SB 435 expands protections for California workers in five outside industries who request, but are denied, heat stress-related cool down ‘recovery periods’. SB 435 generally treats heat stress-related cool down recovery periods the same way daily rest periods are treated under the Labor Code: Employers in the five covered outside industries would be prohibited from requiring workers to perform any work during any heat stress recovery period and, if the employer failed to provide such a recovery period upon a worker’s request, the employer would have to pay the employee one additional hour of pay at the employee’s regular rate of compensation for each work day that a recovery period was not provided. Workers could pursue these claims either in court or in an administrative wage claim hearing. [Chaptered Bill Text . Complete Legislative History .] Criminal Penalties for Withholdings Theft with PAGA Enforcement -- SB 390 SB 390 creates new Labor Code criminal penalties on employers who deduct, and then steal, workers’ paycheck withholdings, and also creates for the first time in state law a state cause of action (under the PAGA, discussed below) to attack this kind of unscrupulous employer conduct. [Chaptered Bill Text . Complete Legislative History .] 2012 License Requirement for Farm Labor Contractor, PAGA Enforcement Option -- AB 1675 AB 1675 imposes stiff civil penalties on persons who operate as a farm labor contractor without first securing an FLC license. Farm workers aggrieved by actions of an unlicensed farm labor contractor can collect penalties in a PAGA civil law suit, provided the State of California does not pursue the violation itself.[Chaptered Bill Text .] Right to Employment Records Upon Request -- AB 2674 AB 1675 imposes stiff civil penalties on persons who operate as a farm labor contractor without first securing an FLC license. Farm workers aggrieved by actions of an unlicensed farm labor contractor can collect penalties in a PAGA civil law suit, provided the State of California does not pursue the violation itself.[ Chaptered Bill Text .AB 2674 requires employers, for the first time under California law, to provide current and former employees, or their representatives, with a copy of their employment-related personnel records, which are often a vital first step in determining the merits of a worker’s claim of retaliation. This bill was vetoed once before, and represents a victory for worker advocates ‘staying the course’ to get relief in this important area. [Chaptered Bill Text .] Guidance in Defining "suffers injury" for Employer's Failure to Provide Itemized Pay Stubs -- SB 1255 SB 1255 resolved longstanding conflicts over whether a worker “suffers injury” when an employer fails to provide him or her with a complete and accurate itemized pay statement as required by state law. CRLAF negotiated a compromise with trial lawyers, unions, and business interests which provides the courts with a better roadmap in how to interpret employer violations of these critical worker protections in the future. [Chaptered Bill Text . Complete Legislative History .] 2011 Itemized Wage Statements Required -- AB 243 AB 243 enacted over the strong opposition of California agriculture, requires farm labor contractors to provide their farm worker employees with an itemized wage statement which discloses all of the names and addresses of every entity (i.e., growers or other FLCs) to whom the farm worker was supplied during the pay period. [Chaptered Bill Text .] Berman Hearings Available for Minimum Wage Violations -- AB 240 AB 240 requires the state labor commissioner to allow workers not paid the minimum wage to recovery minimum wage liquidated damages in a Berman administrative wage claim hearing, which parallels rights they have if they pursue such a claim in a civil action. This is a critical advance for low wage workers whose only avenue to redress wage theft is a Berman hearing (because their individual wage claim is too small to be taken by a private attorney or a legal services law firm). [Chaptered Bill Text .] Omnibus Wage Theft Statute -- AB 469 AB 469 enacted an omnibus wage theft statute with many new Labor Code protections aimed particularly at vulnerable low wage immigrant workers laboring in the underground economy; CRLA Foundation wrote first draft and co-sponsored the bill with the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. [Chaptered Bill Text .] Additional Noteworthy CRLAF Sponsored Legislation Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) -- SB 796 and SB 1809 Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) This landmark legislation creates a private right of action to enforce California labor law provisions previously reserved for enforcement solely by the state. CRLA Foundation wrote the first draft and co-sponsored the original bill (SB 796) with the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. Employers immediately made strenuous efforts to completely repeal the PAGA once it took effect. This effort fueled a budget stalemate that was only resolved after extensive negotiations led to enactment of a subsequent bill (SB 1809) which preserved the thrust of PAGA, while requiring administrative exhaustion before a right to sue would vest. [Chaptered Bill Text of SB 796 . Complete Legislative History of SB 796. Chaptered Bill Text of SB 1809 . Complete Legislative History of SB 1809 .] PAGA Financial Responsible Labor Contractor -- SB 179 The Financially Responsible Labor Contractor Act (SB 179) This groundbreaking statute, opposed by dozens of employer groups in the Legislature, makes entities liable when they knowingly entered into a financially insufficient contract for labor or services in five underground economy industries. CRLA Foundation wrote first draft and co-sponsored the bill with the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. A prior version was vetoed. [Chaptered Bill Text . Complete Legislative History .]

Proyectos actuales Ciudadanía Defensa de la vivienda Acción de clase y litigio de impacto Abogacía Legislativa Equidad educativa Pesticidas y Seguridad del Trabajador Acoso sexual Prevención Comunidades rurales sostenibles Soporte técnico

CONSIGUE AYUDA Nuestros servicios son siempre gratuitos y ayudamos a los residentes rurales de bajos ingresos, independientemente de su estado migratorio. No ayudamos con casos criminales. Centramos nuestro trabajo en las áreas de: salud de los trabajadores agrícolas derechos civiles equidad educativa trabajo y empleo inmigración y ciudadanía pesticidas y seguridad de los trabajadores vivienda rural acceso a la salud para todos construyendo comunidades rurales sostenibles Si no ve su problema en la lista, visite www.lawhelpca.org para encontrar un programa de asistencia legal que pueda ayudarlo. Por favor llame al 916-446-7901 para asistencia o para aprender más sobre los próximos talleres de inmigración y naturalización.

NOTICIAS RURALES + ALERTAS Tickets MEET OUR PARTNERS

JUNTA DIRECTIVA Virginia Villegas, Esq., Chair The Villegas Law Firm, APC Christine Brigagliano, Esq., Vice-Chair Van Der Hout, Brigagliano & Nightingale, LLP Manuel Magaña Farm Worker (Retired) Richard M. Pearl, Esq. Law Offices of Richard M. Pearl Jessica Stender, Esq. Equal Rights Advocates Ricardo Torres, Treasurer Partner at The Capital Group Companies (retired) José Olivera Meta Silvia Garcia, Esq. In Memoriam (1968-2012) CRLA Foundation’s dedicated staff provides essential and crucial services to farmworkers and their families, who have been especially hard hit during the COVID-29 pandemic. Farmworkers risk their lives everyday to put food on our tables by working in hazardous conditions, including pesticide exposure, heat stress, lack of shade, and often lacking clean drinking water. Further, despite being such essential workers, farmworkers are paid low wages, lack health insurance, and even lack access to preventive care. -Virginia Villegas, Board Chair Working with farmworker communities is important, because for me, these people are my abuelos, padres, tios, tias, primos and primas. They are familia and you always take care of familia. -Ruben Chavez, Former Board Member

UNIDAD DE TRABAJO + DERECHOS CIVILES Expandiendo la justicia a través de litigios de impacto La industria agrícola está plagada de algunas de las peores condiciones de trabajo en California. La Unidad de Litigios Laborales y de Derechos Civiles ataca agresivamente a los empleadores responsables de estas condiciones, representando a los trabajadores en casos que involucran: Robo de salarios Infracción de las normas de seguridad laboral. Agresión sexual y acoso en el lugar de trabajo. Discriminación y represalias Exposición a pesticidas Único entre las organizaciones de asistencia legal que brindan asistencia legal civil gratuita en toda la zona rural de California, en CRLA Foundation representamos a clientes independientemente de su estado migratorio y presentamos casos de acción de clase que pueden ayudar a cientos de trabajadores a la vez. Desde la fundación de CRLAF , hemos recuperado millones de dólares en compensación por los trabajadores explotados y nuestras demandas han llevado a reformas en todo el lugar de trabajo. Nuestro equipo legal también participa en esfuerzos amicus en temas de interés para trabajadores agrícolas, trabajadores indocumentados y trabajadores de bajos salarios en general. También servimos como un Centro de Apoyo designado para proyectos de servicios legales financiados por el Fondo Fiduciario de Servicios Legales de la Asociación de Abogados del Estado de California. El trabajo de casos anteriores incluye: Brindar asesoramiento y asistencia a los familiares sobrevivientes de un trabajador agrícola que murió de un posible ataque cardíaco relacionado con el calor. Un informe amicus en nombre de un trabajador indocumentado que sufrió una pérdida del 80% de la capacidad pulmonar debido a la exposición tóxica relacionada con el trabajo. La cuestión en la apelación era si el tribunal de primera instancia debería haber declarado un juicio nulo después de informar al jurado del estado de indocumentado del demandante, en la creencia errónea de que era relevante para su elegibilidad para un trasplante de pulmón. Un reclamo administrativo en nombre de los trabajadores de la fresa por salarios no pagados y comidas y descansos perdidos. Este caso se resolvió en 2014. Un reclamo administrativo individual en nombre de un trabajador agrícola despedido en represalia por quejarse de violaciones de pesticidas. Una demanda colectiva que busca daños por acoso de origen nacional en una planta de secado de frutas cerca de Corning, California. Un supervisor abusivo usó insultos étnicos y amenazó con llamar a ICE para intimidar a los trabajadores. Los demandantes nombrados fueron despedidos cuando se quejaron de este maltrato. Este caso se resolvió en 2014. Una acción de clase por pago de horas extras atrasadas, violaciones de comidas y descansos, y costos no reembolsados en nombre de más de 170 trabajadores lecheros que trabajaron hasta 16 horas por día, 6 a 7 días a la semana y tuvieron que pagar por su propio equipo. Estos trabajadores no recibieron compensación por horas extras y solo se les permitió un descanso de media hora sin pagar por día. Este caso se resolvió en 2014. Una acción de clase en curso que busca salarios atrasados, multas por comidas perdidas y descansos, y el reembolso de los costos relacionados con el trabajo para los empleados en la guardería cerca de San Luis Obispo, California. Una acción de clase en curso en nombre de los trabajadores de restaurantes en Morro Bay por salarios no pagados de horas extras, violaciones de comidas y descansos, primas de turno dividido y sanciones. Una acción colectiva de la FLSA en nombre de los trabajadores migrantes temporales alegando violaciones del contrato H2-A, las leyes de salarios y horas y los estándares mínimos de vivienda. Hemos recuperado más de $ 600,000 en acuerdos en este caso y seguimos litigando contra un acusado restante. Una acción de clase para el pago de horas extras atrasadas y violaciones de comidas y descanso en nombre de los trabajadores de un productor de granos y piensos en Fresno, California. Varios reclamos administrativos ante el Departamento de Empleo y Vivienda Justo por acoso sexual, agresión sexual y represalias en nombre de las mujeres trabajadoras agrícolas. Comuníquese con info @ crlaf (dot) org para obtener copias de resúmenes amicus recientes, ejemplos de alegatos o consejos y consultas sobre cualquier caso que involucre a trabajadores inmigrantes o de bajos salarios. “Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot hum iliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.” - Cesar Chavez

PREVENCIÓN DE ACOSO SEXUAL El proyecto de bandana Ellos resistirán y nosotros estaremos con ellos. CRLAF adopta un enfoque de múltiples niveles para combatir la explotación sexual en los campos. CRLAF comenzó su trabajo de defensa comunitaria hace más de una década mediante el lanzamiento del "Proyecto Bandana", parte de un movimiento nacional para destacar el acoso sexual contra las mujeres trabajadoras agrícolas. CRLAF llevó el proyecto un paso más allá, utilizando un modelo Art to Heal, donde los participantes dibujan, pintan o bordan sus sentimientos y mensajes en pañuelos blancos. El Proyecto Bandana finalmente ha llevado a una mayor conciencia de la explotación sexual y ha servido para empoderar a las mujeres a hablar y luchar a través del sistema de justicia. CRLAF ha representado exitosamente a clases de trabajadores en todo el Valle Central en varios casos de acoso sexual. Estamos tan lejos por las valientes trabajadoras agrícolas que han hablado durante años. Logros legales: CRLAF copatrocinó el SB 1087 con el Senador Monning, un proyecto de ley aprobado en 2014 que ataca la cultura generalizada de acoso sexual de mujeres trabajadoras agrícolas por parte de FLC y sus supervisores a través de una combinación de capacitación obligatoria anual de prevención de acoso sexual y pruebas de licenciatarios; capacitación anual de sus supervisores; y capacitación de trabajadores agrícolas sobre cómo prevenir, identificar y denunciar el acoso sexual. El proyecto de ley también hace más de una docena de otros cambios necesarios a la Ley estatal de contratistas de trabajadores agrícolas, incluida la autorización del Comisionado de Trabajo para tomar acciones adversas de licencia contra los depredadores sexuales. Más tarde, CRLAF ayudó a aprobar la SB 295, Aplicación de capacitación en acoso sexual para contratistas de trabajadores agrícolas, que responde a una falla por parte de la industria agrícola de implementar completamente la capacitación obligatoria de prevención del acoso sexual para trabajadores agrícolas impuesta por la SB 1087 de CRLAF. CRLAF escribió y patrocinó el nuevo legislación no solo para atacar el incumplimiento por parte de los contratistas de trabajadores agrícolas, sino también para brindar mayor transparencia a la capacitación requerida de los trabajadores agrícolas. La SB 295 hace esto al otorgarle al comisionado laboral estatal una nueva autoridad para emitir citaciones por 6 violaciones diferentes de capacitación en acoso sexual, y también al proporcionar a las trabajadoras agrícolas víctimas con derecho a demandar a los contratistas por estas violaciones. La combinación de una mayor aplicación del estado y demandas por parte de las mujeres víctimas de los trabajadores agrícolas debería reducir el acoso sexual en la industria. La mujer detrás de los pañuelos: Juanita Ontiveros es Directora de Defensa Comunitaria, Proyectos Especiales y Recursos Humanos de CRLAF. Ontiveros encarna el sentimiento de cómo a través de los movimientos y coaliciones, en última instancia, solo podemos llegar a alguna parte trabajando juntos. Juanita ha trabajado durante años dentro del movimiento de los trabajadores agrícolas hacia la igualdad de derechos, inicialmente encontrando dirección e inspiración con César Chávez. Ha perseverado, sin miedo a discutir los temas más importantes de los derechos de los trabajadores y la explotación sexual, y ha creado soluciones aplicables a nivel del suelo para numerosas violaciones de abuso laboral. Ontiveros apareció en el documental " Violación en los campos ", una película que explica los problemas que muchas mujeres trabajadoras agrícolas enfrentan a diario. Esta película ha sido increíblemente influyente para traer más luz sobre el tema y más casos de acoso sexual contra trabajadores agrícolas a los tribunales.

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