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Workers group inspires others
Program fighting for rights has been extended to Dallas, Miami, Las Vegas


By JENALIA MORENO
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle


A workers' rights program that was launched in Houston six years ago and this year collected nearly $4 million in back wages, penalties and settlement money is being replicated in nearly a dozen cities across the nation.

"It was difficult in the beginning, but now it's gathering strength," Carlos González Magallón, consul general of Mexico in Houston said Tuesday. "There was the pilot program here that has been extended to other cities."

Similar programs have been started in Los Angeles, Dallas, Las Vegas and Miami, according to the consulate.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Consulate General of Mexico in Houston and the U.S. Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division started the Justice and Equality in the Workplace Program in 2001 to teach Latino workers about their rights, help day laborers get back wages and fight discrimination.

The program now includes a coalition of government agencies, nonprofit organizations and consulates representing Colombia, El Salvador and Guatemala. As part of the program:

• The Wage and Hour Division recovered $357,058 in back wages for 169 workers between October 2006 and September 2007.

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration found 81 safety violations and assessed $80,725 in penalties.

• The EEOC's district office in Houston received 353 charges filed by Latinos, including some immigrants. The commission settled 56 charges for $542,808.

• In January, Quietflex Manufacturing Co. settled a discrimination lawsuit brought by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the EEOC for $2.8 million, which was distributed to 78 current and former Latino employees.

Quietflex did not admit any liability or wrongdoing in reaching the settlement.

jenalia.moreno@chron.com