SCR 35: UCLA Labor Center.

This measure would state the support of the Legislature and the California Legislative Black Caucus for a one-time allocation for the renovation of a permanent home for the UCLA Labor Center and for renaming the center as the UCLA Rev. James Lawson Jr. Worker Justice Center.

WHEREAS, The University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA) Labor Center was established in 1964 and for close to 60 years has existed as an important resource for research, teaching, and public service in support of workers in California; and

WHEREAS, The UCLA Labor Center has partnered with the Legislature, the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, along with entities in local jurisdictions for decades on labor policy initiatives; and

WHEREAS, the UCLA Downtown Labor Center has been located at 675 South Park View Street in the Westlake/MacArthur Park neighborhood of Los Angeles for 19 years, and has made historic contributions to working class communities, immigrants, and communities of color, who have faced the most severe consequences and mortality rates from the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UCLA Labor Center has adjusted its work to address the urgent needs of workers and their families in Los Angeles, producing reports on worker health councils, the impact of COVID-19 on Black community members, the crisis facing garment workers, the need for immediate economic relief for undocumented immigrants, and its toll on college students; and

WHEREAS, The UCLA Labor Center, in partnership with the UCLA Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program, are educating labor, business, and workers on the Division of Occupational Safety and Healths COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards, state workers compensation rules, and county health orders, while working to strengthen worker protections; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, the UCLA Labor Center launched the Black Worker Center, the first of its kind in the nation, and the Dream Resource Center, also a first in the nation, and the first labor studies major within the University of California system; and

WHEREAS, Rev. James Lawson, Jr. has taught about nonviolence and social movements at the UCLA Labor Center for 19 years, inspiring thousands of students along the way; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Lawson has dedicated his life to worker, racial, and economic justice, was a close friend and colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rep. John Lewis, and countless other civil rights and labor leaders; and

WHEREAS, In 2018, Rev. Lawson received the UCLA Medal, the universitys highest honor, and in 2019 he was inducted into the California Hall of Fame based on Governor Gavin Newsoms nomination; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature joins with the California Legislative Black Caucus to support the provision of a one-time allocation to support the renovation of a permanent home for the UCLA Labor Center and supports renaming the UCLA Labor Center as the UCLA Rev. James Lawson Jr. Worker Justice Center; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.