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Community groups urge two-year extension and permanence for California Workplace Outreach Project
Summary
Multiple community-based organizations and worker centers testified at the hearing urging the legislature to continue and expand funding for the California Workplace Outreach Project (CWOP/CWAP), citing outreach to tens of thousands of workers, effective education on rights and safety, and the need to avoid gaps in funding.
During public comment at the end of the subcommittee hearing, more than a dozen witnesses representing community-based organizations and worker centers urged the Legislature to extend funding for the California Workplace Outreach Project (referred to in testimony as CWAP or CWOP) for at least two additional years and to consider making the program permanent.
Speakers described the project as a partnership between state labor agencies and trusted community organizations that has reached thousands of workers with information about workplace rights, health and safety, and access to benefits. George (Valley Voices) said his organization had reached more than 15,000 workers and helped distribute vaccines, PPE and educational material to dairy workers responding to avian-flu concerns. Rachel Deutsch (California Coalition for Worker Power) cited a University of California, Berkeley analysis showing the program's effectiveness in reaching workers at risk of wage theft and unsafe conditions.
Multiple worker centers including the Clean Car Wash Worker Center, Southern California Black Worker Hub, Filipino Worker Center, and Universidad Popular described how outreach has enabled formal complaints, leadership development among workers, and safer workplaces. One witness asked the Legislature to include $30 million for reentry workforce grants under a related initiative (Higher Initiative) so community reentry programs can continue work with justice-impacted individuals returning from incarceration.
Commenters asked the subcommittee to avoid funding interruptions, to make outreach funding a durable part of the state workforce and labor-protection infrastructure, and to consider legislation connected to the outreach program (testimony referenced SB 578 and SB 590's aims in various contexts). Committee staff accepted written comments and witnesses left materials for the record.
