Program assists low-wage workers

The annual collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (see page 4) raises money for the poor all over the U.S. -- and in the Albany Diocese.

The Capital District Worker Center in Albany, a CCHD-funded project, opened a year ago with a goal of empowering low-wage earners through education and advocacy.

The Center has created new training programs, and supported successful campaigns to raise the minimum wage in New York and create a living wage law in Albany. The Center also began coordinating a Workers Rights Board to air the concerns of the working poor.

Bridges built

The Center has also built bridges between people.

"We really try to get people to associate with one another," said Fred Pfeiffer, director. "The working poor are oftentimes out of the loop when it comes to getting better jobs or getting the training that will help them get ahead."

To that end, the Worker Center brought in representatives from building trade unions to help lower-wage workers become aware of opportunities that could improve their incomes and quality of life.

Education

Another Center initiative is its Worker School, with course offerings that include such economic issues as affordable housing and transportation, as well as sessions on job interviewing and apprenticeship.

In addition to helping individual employees, the Center advocates to improve conditions for groups of workers. Last summer, for example, the Worker Center entered into a coalition with several community groups to advocate changes in a proposed living-wage ordinance in the City of Albany.

As a result, a law passed that will require those employed through the city to be paid at least $10.25 per hour.

Board of directors

The Worker Center's board includes people from health care, building services and housekeeping industries as well as community leaders.

Fran Nantista, co-chair, worked 25 years as an administrator for a group of physicians. In 1995, she had a strong desire to create a home-based business and opened a daycare center in her home. She has also become an advocate and a leader in unionizing independent, home-based daycare providers.

"It is the most important thing I have ever done," she said of her board involvement.

More to do

The Center has more issues to resolve, such as mandatory overtime, safe working conditions and expansion of the living wage.

"Getting ahead and moving to a better situation can be hard," Mr. Pfeiffer said, referring to low-wage workers. Through the Center's efforts, "people know they are not alone."

(11/17/05) [[In-content Ad]]