2020

Year in Review

2020 has been a year like no other. An election, a global pandemic, and an uprising for racial justice all combined to create unprecedented challenges for our communities, but also put a unique spotlight on essential workers, communities of color, and our collective power.

As the year draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the big fights and key wins — and look forward at what's to come in 2021.

Launching COVID-19 community response networks

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we heard from so many in our community who were struggling to cover their rent and bills, put food on the table, and understand how to keep their families healthy and safe.

Illustration of a CAN navigator connecting someone with services and support. Artwork by Felix Quintana.

Winning paid sick days, eviction protections, and job security for those hit hardest by the pandemic

COVID-19 has revealed the deep and long-standing racial injustice of an economy that exposes Black and Brown working families to riskiest working conditions, the lowest pay, and the fewest protections to fall back on.

Illustration of working people winning paid sick days, eviction protections, and job security policies. Artwork by Felix Quintana.

Building a historic movement for our schools & communities

Prop 15, the Schools & Communities First initiative, was a historic campaign on many levels. Together, we did what many said was impossible: we won unprecedented support from elected leaders and built consensus among organizations in every corner of our state and movement on an issue many thought was “off-limits”.

Illustration of people coming together in the movement for our schools & communities. Artwork by Felix Quintana.

Defending app worker rights & countering corporate greed in Prop 22

After years of building a powerful movement of app-based workers fighting for dignity and respect at work and organizing to win landmark labor law AB5, gig workers faced new challenges in 2020 from corporations willing to go to any lengths to strip workers of their hard-won employment rights.

Illustration of gig workers at a rally outside Uber headquarters in San Francisco. Artwork by Felix Quintana.

Ensuring 14,000 tech service workers can pay the bills and see a doctor

When tech campuses began to close, our Silicon Valley Rising campaign called on the industry to recognize that the people doing these service jobs are also tech workers, and include them in pandemic responses.

Illustration of tech service workers who are able to provide for their families thanks to years of organizing. Artwork by Felix Quintana.

Keeping San José families in their homes

With COVID-19 worsening an existing housing crisis in San José — and more families than ever on the verge of displacement — we worked with allies to push forward local policy responses to the housing crisis this year.

Illustration of people organizing for housing justice. Artwork by Felix Quintana.

Counting our communities in the 2020 Census

Going into 2020, we knew that counting every household in the Census would be vital to ensuring immigrant communities and communities of color receive the funding and investment they need. When the pandemic hit, the stakes and challenges to completing the Census were even higher.

Laying the framework for a just future of work

As we face rapid technological change across many industries of our economy, the “future of work” has become a popular topic of discussion and debate — but far too often the people whose jobs are most likely to be impacted are missing from these conversations.

Illustration of workers, policymakers, researchers, and labor leaders talking about the future of work. Artwork by Felix Quintana.

Power our work in 2021

With new City Council majorities and the ongoing pandemic, we know 2021 is going to be an important year for our communities.

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