Causa is Oregon’s statewide Latino immigrant rights organization. Causa is committed to improving the lives of Latino immigrants and their families through policy advocacy, coalition building, leadership development, and civic engagement. We were founded in 1995 by farmworkers, immigrants, and allies that came together to defeat anti-immigrant ballot measures. Over the past 20 years, Causa has become a key voice advocating on issues that impact Latino families and workers in Oregon.
Latino immigrant families are the soul of Causa and inspire, implement, and champion our work. Causa’s constituency spans Oregon—Marion, Multnomah, Washington, Deschutes, Jefferson counties and more, and we survey them every year to ask about issues that affect their daily lives. Causa found that issues regarding employee wages and benefits were among the top priorities identified among our members.
It should come as no surprise when statistics on economic disparities among Latinos are considered. Low-wage workers are disproportionality communities of color. 66% of Latinos earn less than $15/hour, compared to 34% of whites, while 62% of Latino workers didn’t have access to one paid sick day, compared to 47% of the general workforce, and only one-third of Latino workers have access to a retirement account through their employer.
That’s why Causa’s work with the Fair Shot Coalition has been so important. Together, community and labor became a powerful force to pass legislation that will improve economic opportunities for all communities. Causa turned out families and workers for hearings, collected stories, organized our annual May Day march and rally featuring Fair Shot issues, and collected and delivered post cards in support of Fair Shot during the legislative session.
We look forward to the work ahead, as Fair Shot continues to advance economic justice for all Oregon communities. Si, se puede!
Causa members with Governor Brown after she signed paid sick days legislation.