FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2007
Contact: Katy Youker
(956) 447-4802
kyouker@trla.org
WESLACO, Texas – This Labor Day Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) launched its Wage Claim Project outreach campaign across the Rio Grande Valley to educate workers on the increase in minimum wage and their rights to overtime pay.
In conjunction with La Union del Pueblo Unido (LUPE), the South Texas Civil Rights Project, Casa de Proyecto Libertad and Valley Movement for Human Rights, and Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the campaign includes brochures, public service announcements, rights presentations, and outreach to low wage workers to target wage and hour violations in sectors such as retail, restaurants, hotels, child care, health care, building services, and the garment and construction industries.
On July 24, the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 increased the minimum wage to $5.85 per hour. Additional increases are scheduled to change the wage to $6.55 per hour on July 24, 2008 and $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009. According to a 2005 survey by the Valley Movement for Human Rights, violations of workers' rights formed the majority of the abuses documented in the Rio Grande Valley. Payment of sub-minimum wage, denial of overtime pay, and theft of wages accounted for the largest percentage of violations.
For the next several months TRLA staff and community advocates will bring awareness to low-income workers about the changes in minimum wage laws and the rights that these workers have to overtime pay. Outreach efforts will encourage workers to attend free clinics around the Rio Grande Valley and to call TRLA for related legal advice.
According to TRLA attorney Katy Youker, "Labor Day reminds us of the importance of protecting the rights of low wage workers, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley. As the Valley continues to develop, we must ensure that economic prosperity benefits everyone."
The first of a series of free presentations on wage and hour rights will be held at La Union del Pueblo Unido Union Hall on the corner of Cesar Chavez and Business 83 in San Juan, Texas on Wednesday, September 19 at 6:00pm. TRLA staff will be available to provide information regarding wage laws and to answer any questions concerning the changes to the minimum wage.
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Established in 1970, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides free civil legal services to low-income and disadvantaged clients in a 68-county service area that covers the southwestern third of the state, including the entire Texas-Mexico border region. TRLA’s mission is to promote the dignity, self-sufficiency, safety and stability of low-income Texas residents by providing high quality civil legal assistance and related educational services. For more information on TRLA visit www.trla.org.
