Workers' Rights Take Action Guide and Resource List

If you have 10 minutes…

• Learn the Facts. Read our fact sheet on the Rights of Workers and then test your knowledge with our short quiz at www.discoverhumanrights.org/toolkit.html.
• Get the News. Keep up to date on workers’ rights and receive news and action alerts from these workers’ rights organizations:
  
  • United Students Against Sweatshops www.unionvoice.org/studentsagainstsweat/join.html
  • American Rights at Work www.americanrightsatwork.org/external/subscribe-to-alerts.html
  • Jobs with Justice www.jwj.org Enter your e-mail under “Subscribe!” at the bottom left.
• Take a Pledge. Take a pledge to stand up and join the fight for workers’ human rights. For example,  check out the Jobs with Justice pledge at www.jwj.org/pledge.html.
• Donate. Make a donation to a local or national organization that promotes workers’ rights. For ideas, check out the “Workers’ Rights National Resources” list in this toolkit.

If you have a few hours…

• Host a Film Screening. Invite members of your community to watch a film about workers’ rights. Choose a film that focuses on the rights of workers, such as Made in L.A., North Country, or Matewan.
• Write a Letter. Write to your representative or senator and ask him or her to support the Employee Free Choice Act. For more information on this Act, visit: www.freechoiceact.org.
• Educate. Download our PowerPoint presentation or lesson plans at www.discoverhumanrights.org/toolkit.html and educate your school, community organization, or faith group about worker’s rights.

If you have a month…

• Organize a Teach-in. The AFL-CIO has produced a hands-on toolkit for supporters of workers’ rights. that features ideas for teach-ins, checklists for planning, sample leaflets, fact sheets, discussion questions and other materials.  Download the toolkit at www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/upload/teachin_toolkit.pdf.
• Start a Bookclub. Get friends together to read books on the topic of workers’ rights.  Check out books such as Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich.
• March. On May 1st, celebrate International Workers’ Day. Collaborate with local unions to organize a march on your state capitol to support the rights of workers and immigrants.

If you have a year or more…

• Launch a Sweatfree Campaign.  Global Exchange and Sweatfree Communities have developed a toolkit to help you launch a successful sweatfree campaign in your community.  Download the Sweatfree Toolkit at www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/sweatshops/actionplan.html to see how your community can help end sweatshops. 
• Shop Ethically. Commit to purchasing fair trade goods and produce to ensure what you are buying is made under fair working conditions and without child labor.  For more information and resources, visit: www.sweatfree.org/shoppingguide and www.transfairusa.org/content/WhereToBuy/.
• Unionize. Exercise your right to freedom of association by joining a union or organizing in your workplace. Visit www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/ for more information on unions and on how to promote fairness and respect for workers.
• Watch a Corporation. Hold corporations accountable for their actions through research and investigation. Visit www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=945 for the “Hands-On Corporate Research Guide” which outlines the process in six easy steps.