The Center on Policy Initiatives

We’d like you to meet Melony!

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

Give a warm welcome to Jennifer!

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

Meet Keila!

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

Today, we’d like to introduce EJ!

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

Welcome Nicole!

We are so excited to have you as an intern!

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

Join us in welcoming SEJ Intern, Allison!

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej
Justice

Meet SEJ intern, Omar!!

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

We are so excited to introduce this year’s Student for Economic Justice (SEJ) interns!
Join us by sharing some encouraging words as they are working on local organizing campaigns!

Meet Elaf!

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

Our Students for Economic Justice (SEJ) internship program launched this week! We are so excited to welcome our 2024 interns! We will be introducing them over the next month. All interns are placed at a host site where they get to participate in an active organizing campaign and gain valuable experience organizing with local organizations ranging from labor unions to community based organizations.

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

"To support dozens of workers with low-income who are waiting for unpaid wage judgments, the county’s Workplace Justice Fund has distributed roughly $100,000. San Diego’s debt collections agency then also takes on their cases and works to get them paid..

In 2017, only one in seven employers in wage claim judgments ultimately paid their workers the full amount owed, according to a CalMatters analysis of labor commissioner data. Those who don’t pay often face minimal or no consequences.

However, Arriaga’s case record led San Diego County officials to come to him with a proposition he said initially seemed “too good to be true.” He became one of the first participants in the Workplace Justice Fund, approved by the county board of supervisors last spring with a budget of $100,000."

In the first year the County's Workplace Justice Fund has shown that there is an immense need and is working but there is no more funding for this fiscal year. We need to make sure the County allocates $500,000 to this program and makes sure workers get the money they are owed.

San Diego Aims to Help Wage-Theft Victims Recover Money Owed | KQED San Diego County's Workplace Justice Fund distributes up to $3,000 to local workers who are owed wages but were never paid. The county then takes on the debt collection on workers' behalf.

ICYMI

An Open Letter Regarding Chairwoman Nora Vargas Newly Revealed Texts and WhatsApp Messages Prompt a Demand for Her Resignation as Chair of the County Board of Supervisors

In March, the San Diego Unified School District board voted to lay off hundreds of teachers and staff.

These massive layoffs are causing unnecessary upheaval and stress for teachers, support staff and students. Students across the district are protesting these layoffs and the potential loss of important teachers, staff and programs.

Send an email to the school board letting them know you stand with teachers and urge them to stop the layoffs ➡️ bit.ly/StopLayoffs

Know Your Rights!!!

There are many new worker protections and wage increases that we should all know about!

The minimum wage in the City of San Diego is now $16.85 per hour and $16 per hour everywhere else in the County. All workers in San Diego County now have 5 sick days.

CPI and our partner in the advocated for and won SB 497. This means that workers will now have more protections when they stand up for their rights at work or file a complaint.

Swipe to see the other new laws that go into effect this year.

If you don't get the correct new wage, sick days, etc. that's wage theft!

Learn more about your rights as a worker here and where you can file a complaint: https://cpisandiego.org/fighting_wage_theft/

Do you know students looking for an internship this summer? Our Students for Economic Justice (SEJ) Internship Program is now accepting applications! 🎉 The SEJ internship is a full-time, paid 6-week summer program that provides training on organizing principles and develop as leaders and professionals in the progressive labor space. Interns are paired with a host site where they get hands-on experience by participating in an active campaign.

This program is open to current undergraduate students at a 2-year or 4-year institution. Trainings and work days run from June 24th to August 2nd, with a graduation celebration soon after.

Please share with students in your networks. The deadline to apply is Sunday March 10th, 2024.

Learn More and apply at:
https://cpisandiego.org/sej/apply

Are You Paid in Full?

Wage theft is a major problem for workers throughout San Diego County. Most workers have at one time or another experienced wage theft and may not even know it.

Wage theft can look like:
👉 Working off the clock
👉 Being denied breaks
👉 Having your tips stolen
👉 Not being paid the correct overtime
👉 Receiving late or bounced checks
👉 Being denied sick days
👉 Being paid less than the minimum wage

Join us this Friday, August 25th, at United Domestic Workers Community Hall from 5-7pm to learn more about wage theft, your rights as a worker, how to get help, and what we can do to protect workers. This event is hosted by the Center on Policy Initiatives, the San Diego Black Worker Center, Employee Rights Center and the Democratic Socialists of San Diego County.

Share with friends, family and anyone who has faced wage theft.

RSVP: bit.ly/kyr_wage_theft

Food and Spanish Interpretation will be provided.
***

¿Le pagan por completo?

El robo de salario es un problema masivo para todos los trabajadores en el Condado de San Diego. Muchos trabajadores han sufrido el robo de salario sin siquiera darse cuenta.

Robo de salario puede ser:
👉 Trabajar fuera de horario
👉 La negación de horas de comida o descanso
👉 El robo de propinas
👉 Que no le paguen las horas extras correctas
👉 Recibir pago atrasado o cheque sin fondos
👉 La negación de días de enfermedad
👉 Que le paguen menos del salario mínimo

Acompáñenos este viernes, el 25 de agosto, en el United Domestic Workers Community Hall de 5-7pm para appender más sobre el robo de salario, sus derechos como trabajador, como recibir ayuda, y cómo podemos proteger a trabajadores. Este evento es presentado por el Centro de Iniciativas Políticas, el San Diego Black Worker Center, el Centro de Derechos de los Empleados (ERC) y los Democratic Socialists del Condado de San Diego.

Comparte con amigos, familiares, y cualquier persona que ha enfrentado robo de salario.

Registrar: bit.ly/kyr_wage_theft

Habrá comida y interpretación en español.

It is the first week of our Students for Economic Justice internship program! Interns started their training on Tuesday and will continue to receive trainings 1-2 days during each of the 6-weeks.

This week interns attended lectures on the history of CPI, the San Diego socio-economic landscape, and a panel with Indigenous activists and educators among other activities. Stay tuned for more updates on what our interns are up to!

✨✨Welcome Julie Nguyen!!✨✨

My name is Julie and I’m a third year at UCSD majoring in Human Developmental Sciences with a specialization in equity and diversity and minoring in Communications. I’m really looking forward to joining the program, working with everyone, and learning more about the San Diego community as I’m from Portland, Oregon! Working a variety of jobs from food service to math instruction, I feel very passionately about labor and economic justice not just because of my experiences but also those of my coworkers, or as I like to call them, my comrades! On campus, I’m a part of the Houselessness Service Organization and the competitive tennis club. In my free time, I love all things crafty like crocheting, knitting, sewing, etc., virtually anything sports-related, and spending every waking moment with my friends like game night!

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

✨Today we’d like you to meet Brianna Carignan!✨

My name is Brianna. I am a second year student at San Diego State University majoring in Urban Planning and Management. I am a member of the Aztlán Youth Brigade, a member of the San Diego chapter of the Communist Party, as well as an artist specializing in portraiture. I enjoy learning in community about radical, empathetic methods of healing for working class communities. I want to be able to contribute to the larger labor movement by disrupting individualist dialogue in pursuit of our collective healing and liberation.

✨✨Meet Narly Ramirez!✨✨

Hi there! My name is Narly D. Ramirez. I’m currently a 2nd year student at San Diego City College. I am a Chicana, I speak English, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL), and ever since I was 11, my dream job has been to be a lawyer. I’m a very fast learner, I can always work in a team but I wouldn’t mind solo jobs, and quick to find a solution. I can’t wait to work with you in the future. I am sure we’ll make a great working team.

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

✨✨✨Today, we’d like to introduce Aida Arredondo!✨✨✨

Aida Arredondo grew up in San Diego and spent a lot of her childhood visiting family in Mexico City and the Midwest. She has always been passionate around issues of social justice, especially involving reproductive rights and childcare. She is currently a student at San Diego City College, and is pursuing a childhood development degree. She hopes to become an elementary school teacher that is an active union participant and organizer.

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

✨✨Welcome Lana Al Any! ✨✨

Hi! My name is Lana Al Any (she/her/hers) and I’m a student studying Public Health on a pre-medical track, currently at Grossmont Community college. I’m a Palestinian and Iraqi- American and a first generation immigrant - attributes of my identity that are the biggest contributors to why I strive for social justice in every aspect. As a minority, my aspirations are to create and devote time and effort to the activism many communities would benefit from, and expanding my education on institutional inequality and discrimination is my main focus in doing so. Knowledge is power as many iterate, and activism is apparent in that power in so many ways I hope to express in my future.

✨Join us in welcoming SEJ Intern, Kelly Ports!✨

Hi! My name is Kelly Ports and I just finished my first year at City College. I have been an AFT intern for the past year and that experience has only grown my interest in organizing, the labor movement, and joining the fight for social and economic justice. In my free time, I enjoy playing guitar, singing, and hiking. I am excited to participate in SEJ and am ready to help in any way I can!
Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

✨✨✨Give a warm welcome to Tristin Beery!✨✨✨

Tristin Beery graduated from Cuyamaca College in 2022 with his Associate of Arts in Political Science and is currently attending San Diego State University. During his time at Cuyamaca, before and throughout the pandemic, Tristin served as the president of the Associated Student Government and amplified the student voice in order to create a more equitable campus. Tristin also served as a student representative on many integral college councils and committees, regularly seeking input from students and bringing feedback forward to help shape the future of the College. Tristin most recently served as a student leader in developing the College's 2022-2028 Comprehensive Strategic and Facilities Plan, which centers on the student experience. Tristin plans to earn his master’s in Political Science, focusing on comparative politics and public policy. Among his largest concerns and areas of interest are drug policy reformation, improving social safety nets, and investing in a High-Speed Rail system across America.

We’re kicking off the SEJ season by introducing this year’s Interns! Join us in welcoming this new cohort and share some encouraging words as they begin their SEJ journey next month!

✨✨✨Meet Satori Jelden! ✨✨✨

My name is Satori Jelden and my pronouns are she/her. I came to UCLA this past fall as a transfer student after earning my Associate’s Degree for Transfer in Sociology from San Diego Mesa College. At UCLA, I am in the process of earning a degree in Sociology with a minor in Public Affairs. I strongly believe in the power of community to bring people together and bring about meaningful change. Once I finish my formal education, I hope to have a career where I can give back to my community. I believe SEJ is my next step on this path, and I cannot wait to start this coming summer.

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

We are a few weeks away from the start of our Students for Economic Justice Internship program! We’re so excited to welcome our 2023 interns! 🥳🎉

Each intern will be placed with a labor union or community organization to get experience in a local organizing campaign for worker and social justice. Join us in welcoming them and drop some words of wisdom or encouragement as they begin their SEJ journey!

Stay tuned as we introduce this year’s interns over the next few weeks.

Learn more about SEJ and ways to support the program at: cpisandiego.org/sej

The SEJ Mixer & Fundraiser is in TWO days! This event is hosted by SEJ Advisory Board members Kelly Mayhew and Jim Miller, and is something many of us are looking forward to this year. Special thanks to this year's Co-hosts for your support!

We are thrilled to bring everyone together this week and reconnect with good food, drinks and good company! You may even get to meet some of the incoming 2023 SEJ interns 👀

See you there!

Purchase tickets at: cpisandiego.org/sej-mixer-fundraiser

Ten schools were chosen for the second group of Community Schools within the San Diego Unified School District! The district is now hiring ten Site Coordinators, one at each of the 10 schools: Bell Middle, Burbank Elementary, Cherokee Point Elementary, Chollas-Mead Elementary, Crawford High, Fay Elementary, Lafayette Elementary, Lincoln High, Morse High, and Sherman Elementary.

Site Coordinators are essential in the creation of successful community schools. These individuals should be dedicated to centering the voices of Black and Brown students and families, facilitating community based decision-making, relationship building, and creating space for shared leadership at each community school.

Apply and share with people who are dedicated to transforming Public education through a community oriented process. Deadline to apply is May 12th!

Apply at: https://bit.ly/cs_siteco