Great news – thanks to Partnership affiliate FRESC’s leadership in the fight against wage theft, the Wage Protection Act (SB 5) passed out of the Colorado legislature yesterday and is headed to Governor Hickenlooper’s desk for signature! The Colorado Department of Labor & Employment will now have the funds to investigate wage theft cases, and even fine those businesses who repeatedly refuse to pay hard-earned wages.
FRESC and their partners El Centro Humanitario, 9to5 Colorado, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, and the Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association have been at the forefront this worker justice issue for years, from crafting policy to pulling together faith leaders, worker advocates, day laborers, labor attorneys, and countless others. Champions for working families Sen. Jessie Ulibarri and Rep. Jonathan Singer sponsored and convinced their colleagues to pass the Wage Protection Act. Committed supporters made it possible for FRESC to convene the coalition, write the legislation, organize supporters, promote media coverage and educate legislators.
