María Inés Taracena

Economy & Workers' Rights

Nebraska activists want undocumented essential workers prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination

Dulce Castañeda wasn’t surprised by Nebraska Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts’ remarks earlier this month, threatening that undocumented essential workers wouldn’t be a priority in distribution of the much-anticipated COVID-19 vaccine. She was still outraged, however. For Castañeda, this is personal. Her father has been a meatpacking worker at

26 Jan 2021

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5 Min

By: María Inés Taracena

Education

Q&A: Bronx-based organizer Elisa Crespo on public education, housing, and sex workers’ rights

When Bronx-based community organizer Elisa Crespo advocates for housing accessibility, investment in public education, and job security, it’s personal. The 30-year-old is fueled by memories of growing up in New York City, witnessing her single mother fighting to sustain herself and her four children. Because her family often had

17 Dec 2020

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9 Min

By: María Inés Taracena

Economy & Workers' Rights

Lyft drivers issue a warning in the wake of California’s Prop. 22

Driving for Lyft has been Cherri Murphy’s primary source of income for nearly three years. At first, she said it seemed like a good and flexible job option while she put herself through graduate school to get her master’s degree in theology. “Over the years, I realized that

03 Dec 2020

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5 Min

By: María Inés Taracena

Economy & Workers' Rights

University of Arizona custodial workers speak out about unsafe work conditions

The problems at Laura’s job began long before the pandemic. Custodial staff are among the lowest paid workers at the University of Arizona despite facing some of the harshest labor. The workload has taken a horrible toll on Laura’s health. She said before becoming a custodial worker at

13 Nov 2020

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6 Min

By: María Inés Taracena

Economy & Workers' Rights

Women workers sue NYC transit agencies for pregnancy discrimination

Soon after Sharlet Pringle learned the happy news that she was pregnant in early 2017, her doctor warned she was at high risk of having a miscarriage. The doctor urged the New York City bus driver to rest and take care of herself, but working seven-hour shifts driving a route

11 Nov 2020

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7 Min

By: María Inés Taracena

Economy & Workers' Rights

NYC food vendors demand more permits and an end to police harassment

Maria Marín migrated to the United States two decades ago. The 47-year-old left her home of Veracruz, Mexico, seeking safety and better opportunities. Back then, her oldest daughter was only seven months old, she says. For the past 17 years, Marín has been a street vendor in Bushwick, Brooklyn, a

28 Sep 2020

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6 Min

By: María Inés Taracena

Economy & Workers' Rights

What life is like for immigrant New York street vendors

Heleodora Vivar Flores is one of the most visible and vocal advocates for street vendor rights and the decriminalization of street vending in New York City. Now in her late 70s, Heleodora has been en la lucha for over a decade. The proud matriarch migrated to the United States from

24 Sep 2020

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7 Min

By: María Inés Taracena

Nebraska activists want undocumented essential workers prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination

Q&A: Bronx-based organizer Elisa Crespo on public education, housing, and sex workers’ rights

Lyft drivers issue a warning in the wake of California’s Prop. 22

University of Arizona custodial workers speak out about unsafe work conditions

Women workers sue NYC transit agencies for pregnancy discrimination

NYC food vendors demand more permits and an end to police harassment

What life is like for immigrant New York street vendors

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