Approach
As lead organization for this project, Chinese Progressive Association (CPA) researched recovery-related organizing opportunities as well as the workers rights policy and political landscape. Drawing on that research and identifying project partnerships with the other worker and economic justice organizations, CPA and the Leadership and Planning team surveyed over 1,400 workers, led a process to synthesize the worker input, and developed a vision and set of key principles.
The Agenda was launched on the steps of San Francisco City Hall in April 2022, supporting budget advocacy that resulted in $500,000 toward worker needs in SF. In September, the newly formed Bay Area Essential Workers Coalition held a town hall and panel that was attended by more than 110 people. The panel featured workers from four BAEWA Coalition worker centers, a gig driver, and a City College ESL student sharing about their struggles and organizing efforts. While continuing budget advocacy locally, the Coalition is now focused on growing it's membership, creating permanent infrastructure for the coalition, and supporting the statewide policy fight and other worker-led initiatives.