The Travis County Commissioners Court handed the Workers Defense Project another victory on Tuesday in the organization’s quest to ensure better treatment for local construction workers. In a 4-1 vote, the court approved a measure that will require the eventual developer of the county’s North Campus redevelopment project to adopt the WDP’s Better Builder standards. […]
Workers Defense Project
A nonprofit advocacy group that provides resources to ensure low-income workers fair employment.
Posted inCity Council
Council extends living wage to subcontractors
City subcontractors – such as airport food vendors and construction workers – will now be paid $13.03 an hour after City Council extended the city’s living wage requirements on Thursday to everyone working on a city contract. Two ordinances that closed the loophole that left subcontractors out of previously passed living wage requirements passed on […]
Posted inDevelopment
Plaza Saltillo agreement falls short of labor advocates’ approval
The Capital Metro Transportation Authority’s board of directors on Monday approved the terms of its partnership with private developers to bring a massive urban infill project to the eastern gate of downtown Austin. At its monthly meeting, the board voted 7-0 on the master agreement between Capital Metro and Endeavor Real Estate Group to redevelop […]
Posted inDevelopment
Travis Dems target Capital Metro with labor resolution
The Travis County Democratic Party has thrown its weight behind the effort to provide rigorous protections for construction workers hired to build a massive infill project on land owned by the Capital Metro Transportation Authority. At the party’s annual convention on Saturday, delegates approved a resolution calling on all elected officials to insist that all […]
Posted inTransit
Plaza Saltillo project draws fire from labor advocates
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s plan to redevelop 10 acres of largely empty land near downtown Austin has drawn criticism from labor advocates. The Workers Defense Project organized a rally of dozens of activists at the front door of Cap Metro’s headquarters on Thursday morning to pressure the board of directors to include stronger allowances […]
Posted inTravis County
County’s new PID policy touted as victory for both labor and developers
It may have a name only a wonk could love, but Travis County’s brand-new PID policy could have sweeping implications for a large swath of residents whose every thought isn’t consumed with local governance. On Tuesday, the Commissioners Court approved a policy framework that will guide the county as it creates Public Improvement Districts, or […]
Posted inDevelopment
Groups petition federal court to join city’s White Lodging lawsuit
An attorney representing the Workers Defense Project filed legal documents Saturday that ask a U.S. District Court judge to allow the workers center and the Save Our Springs Alliance to become party to ongoing legal action between the City of Austin and White Lodging Services Corporation. In the documents, Brian McGiverin of the Texas […]
Posted inDevelopment
Measure to set residential occupancy limits headed for City Council
An effort to curb stealth dorms that would radically limit how many unrelated people can live in Austin’s residences is heading quickly back to City Council. This past November Council started the process of limiting occupancy to four unrelated adults in single-family zoned property. Currently, the city puts that limit at six unrelated adults. […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council OKs prevailing wage as part of economic development deals
The City Council on Thursday voted to make Austin the second city in Texas to mandate prevailing wages for construction workers as part of its economic development process. Mayor Lee Leffingwell was the only Council member to oppose the measure. The discussion and vote, a four-hour conversation, solidifies what has become an automatic late […]