R-0641 -- Willis, Robert J.
Robert Willis begins the interview by describing how he began his legal career working with migrant workers in Florida. He then explains the situation of farm workers in North Carolina, describing the conditions of labor camps. He has been working in North Carolina since 1982, so he describes the changes that he has and has not seen over the years and the growing number of Latino workers in the state. He also explains that the exploitation of a farm worker greatly increases if they are undocumented and that there is significantly higher number of protections for farm workers on H2A visas that are members of unions. Through Robert’s work with Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), he is able to speak to the importance of supply chain organizing, stating that the changes need to be made by corporations that have supply contracts with growers. He describes the ongoing campaign against Reynolds Tobacco Company. He also describes his experiences in Mexico and the inefficiency of the consulate as a result of not having enough employees. Finally, he makes a few comments about day laborers, explaining that wage theft statutes could be the most effective way of legally holding employers accountable for not paying day laborers.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.
<a href="http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/sohp/id/16990">University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.</a>
April 6 2012
No restrictions. Open to research.
R0641_Audio.mp3
R-0630 -- Rigby, David.
David Rigby describes his experiences working with immigrants and day laborers in both Asheville, N.C. and in Carrboro, N.C. He emphasizes the importance of being present in the community. He also describes the “corner,” which is the location where day laborers wait for potential employers, as both a social and vulnerable place. The day laborers are subject to all weather conditions and do not have a safety net in case they are treated poorly. He explains the relationship between the day laborers and the community at large, highlighting the inability of day laborers and vulnerable populations in general to communicate their concerns to the larger community. His insight into the community is demonstrated through anecdotes that highlight the difficulties that day laborers face and the frequency of wage theft. He also discusses policies surrounding immigration, both at the state and national level. He discusses 287(g), Secure Communities and legislation similar to Arizona’s SB 1070. He states that the effect of such legislation is to inspire fear and create insecurity within an already vulnerable community. He also discusses the lack of resources for immigrants and day laborers in Chapel Hill, N.C. and Carrboro, N.C. and the ways in which he thinks the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill community could address some of the issues that immigrants face through increased networking.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.
<a href="http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/sohp/id/16980">University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.</a>
March 29 2012
No restrictions. Open to research.
R0630_Audio.mp3
R-0623 -- Gallegos Lerma, Manuel Rafael.
The interview began with some background information about Manuel Rafael Gallegos Lerma and why he came to North Carolina. He talks about his interest in working with the Latino community in North Carolina because this population is growing and there are fewer resources compared to other cities in the United States. He then describes his current role as Associate Director of the Human Rights Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. He explains the early work of the Human Rights Center as well, describing their decision to work with the Abbey Court community and how the Center built trust through their tutoring program. He also discusses the oppression of the Abbey Court residents and the experiences that they have had with racism. He talks in depth about the prevalence of wage theft and how the occurrence of wage theft specifically affects undocumented immigrants working as day laborers. Lerma also describes the role that the Human Rights Center hopes to have in helping day laborers find employmen
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.
<a href="http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/sohp/id/16965">University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.</a>
March 23 2012
No restrictions. Open to research.
R0623_Audio.mp3
R-0625 -- González Martínez, José Francisco.
José Francisco González Martinez begins by answering questions about his work experience in Carrboro, N.C. He has worked as a day laborer and is currently working in cleaning offices. As a day laborer, he has never personally experienced wage theft and describes the good relationships that he has had with his bosses and the decent wages he has received. However, he does discuss the common occurrence of wage theft, stating that his friend had been a victim. He also discusses the importance of the work of the Human Rights Center and his hope for the new Worker Center. He explains that a worker center would create a more formal process for day laborers and employers, therefore diminishing the incidence of wage theft. He also describes other work that the Human Rights Center does, such as legal advice and assistance with job applications, and states the importance of their work for the immigrant community. Martinez also talks about the experience of immigration and his home in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico. He describes the effect that drug trafficking has had on his family, stating that two of his female cousins had been killed and that his family had been afraid because of the violence. He also discusses how difficult it is to make the transition to the United States and leave behind your own country. Near the end of the interview, he states that one cannot have everything in life: In Mexico, he had everything but did not have money and in the United States, he has money but not that which he left behind in Mexico. Martinez also shares his experiences speaking on panels about his story as an immigrant. He hopes that by communicating with people and informing them of his story, they will become more knowledgeable about immigration. He believes that that knowledge will decrease racism and discrimination because racism can at times be a product of false information. He also talks about issues in Mexico like the corruption in the government and the level of development. Overall, his oral history highlights some of the major challenges of immigration but also the possibility of creating hope within a community through understanding and support.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.
<a href="http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/sohp/id/16959">University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.</a>
April 16 2012
No restrictions. Open to research.
R0625_Audio.mp3