Our History:
The Southside Workers Center opened on September 18, 2006 at Southside Presbyterian Church, following three years of planning, fund raising, and community organizing by workers, church members, community volunteers, and municipal leaders
Since the local government opened an employment center in the 1930s, workers have been coming to the neighborhood to look for work. By th
e early 2000’s the neighborhood saw as many as 100 people waiting for work each day. When conflict began appearing between neighbors, police, and border patrol, workers began working with Southside pastor John Fife, Josefina Ahumada, and City Council Member Steve Leal to find solutions. By the fall of 2006 there was agreement to move the day labor activity off the street and form a new employment center on church property. The Center began modestly with a card
table under a mesquite tree on the the church’s west parking lot staffed by workers, church members, neighbors, and college students. Employers continued to show up, but there were never enough jobs. Workers wanted a fairer system and had to adjust to using a cooperative model instead of the competition of the street. In 2008 the recession reduced jobs even further, and two years later, Arizona passed the anti-immigrant SB1070 “show your papers” law. In spite of these challenges, the Workers Center survived, and in 2010 became a member of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON). Under the leadership of Raul Alcaraz Ochoa, the Center strengthened its leadership training, self-governance, and participation in immigrant rights advocacy. Today the Center is governed by el comite de liderazgo "steering committee." The Center's collective work is to empower workers to find sustainable and dignified work. Our Mission:
The Southside Worker Center supports a community of worker-leaders building collective power and raising the standards of worker conditions so that members can take part in dignified work and earn just wages. We employ both male and female workers at the center. Our Values: Solidarity, Justice, Dignity, Respect and Professionalism.
