Campaigns

Andolan's organizing centers around the following campaigns:

Retail Workers Campaign This campaign is Andolan’s most recent initiative. In this campaign, worker-members conduct surveys in order to understand better the employment position of retail workers, many of whom work in the informal sector in the Queens area. Andolan members go directly to the places of employment and carry out these surveys with the retail workers. These surveys ask questions regarding the job duties, salary, and general work conditions of these workers. Upon completing these surveys, Andolan plans to organize a press conference, where the general public will have an opportunity to learn about the plight of these low-wage workers. We also invite the workers who participate in our surveys to forums of interest at Andolan, and then consequently hope that they become members. In addition, we distribute flyers and brochures to these workers that describe their employment rights under federal and New York state law, employer guidelines, and steps they can take if they are in an abusive work environment. We further provide these workers with Andolan’s contact information, should they ever need support or assistance.

Campaign against Diplomatic Immunity This is one of Andolan's first campaigns, which aims to organize domestic workers of United Nations Diplomat Employers. Domestic workers who work for Diplomats are often subjected to grave exploitation, but because of diplomatic immunity, these workers have no legal recourse. Andolan organizes workers to demand that diplomatic immunity not be used to shield abusive employers from accountability for their treatment of domestic workers. Campaign activities include protests outside the homes and offices of abusive employers (in order to bring public attention to the issue and the need for accountability), community education sessions on the issue, and legal support for individual victims. Andolan members also conduct outreach in schools, parks, stores, and other locations in order to organize with other domestic workers.

Andolan also co-coordinates the Campaign to Increase the Minimum Wage with the Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence (CAAAV), an organization working with the larger Asian community. Through dialogue with local and state officials, advocacy efforts and public demonstrations, Andolan is trying to spur greater action on minimum wage laws. Andolan and CAAAV advocate the institution of a living wage of $11 per hour.

Another Andolan campaign is the Campaign to Create Identity Cards, an initiative to support undocumented workers who have voiced their desire for some form of identification to carry with them to identify themselves. Having an identity card will help provide a sense of security and legitimacy, as well as facilitate routine transactions in everyday life. Particularly after September 11, undocumented immigrants have faced difficulty in accessing public services, such as hospitals that are supposed to be open to all regardless of immigration status. New policies implemented after September 11th that requires individuals to show identification have the de facto effect of limiting access for many workers.

More important than specific campaigns, Andolan activities such as meetings, demonstrations, and parties allow relationships to be developed among members. Through these relationships, members learn from each others' experiences and realize they are not alone in their struggles. The bonds created through this network of members is a source of empowerment. Andolan's ultimate goal is to not win a specific campaign or legal case, but to develop a strong membership base of active members.

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