Chelsea Latino Immigrant Committee

Mission

Organize Chelsea Latino immigrants to protect and exercise their rights.

Overview

There are about 14,000 Latino immigrants in Chelsea, the vast majority of them from Central America. They work at the hardest, lowest-paying and most hazardous jobs. They experience discrimination. They face long waiting lists for English classes. They are Chelsea's poorest residents. Since 1998 the Chelsea Latino Immigrant Committee has championed their cause and mobilized them for social justice and needed programs. This year the Committee's highest priority project is organizing immigrant workers for health and safety and for just wages.

Accomplishments

The Committee's accomplishments include: 1) numerous health and safety improvements at local worksites employing hundreds of immigrants; 2) workers' rights workshops for 1200 immigrants leading to organizing efforts at three local employers and among hundreds of immigrant temporary workers; 3) establishment of the Immigrant Workers Leadership Institute in partnership with the Massachusetts Committee on Safety and Health (MassCOSH) and providing leadership training for 45 workers; 4) back pay totaling $75,000 for immigrant workers cheated out of pay due them; 5) major reforms in services to Chelsea Latinos at the Chelsea Post Office; 6) registration of 1800 Latino voters, including many naturalized immigrants; 7) amendment to the City Charter to provide for election of the School Committee by districts rather than at-large, thereby making it possible for Latinos to win election; 8) leadership in the Massachusetts delegation for the 2003 national Immigrants' Freedom Ride to Washington; and 9) mobilization of thousands of immigrants for state and national advocacy on immigrants' issues, and for various rallies and special events.

The Committee's community organizer from 1998 to May 2005, Lucia Colon, is the first Chelsea Latino immigrant to win election in Chelsea with her election to the School Committee in 2004 and again this year.