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Workers’ rights

Despite many policy wins led by worker organizers and unions, exploitation of workers with low wages is rampant. But, local governments have the power to enforce pro-worker laws already on the books and collaborate with their communities to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to key resources.
collage with a young blue collar man in work clothes holding a stack of boxes. sign behind him reads 'worker rights are human rights'

When workers are treated with dignity, paid a livable wage, and work in safe conditions, communities thrive and the economy strengthens for everyone. Yet, many workers in the U.S. face an uphill battle in a system that places profits over people.

Workers with low wages lose more than $50 billion annually to wage theft — more than any other kind of theft combined. Most workers are not trained — nor do they have the resources and advocates needed — to identify wage theft and navigate complicated systems in order to get their stolen wages.

With local governments and movement leaders, Public Rights Project files cases that advance economic security, safety, and dignity for working people across industries nationwide.

Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
young woman working in a coffee shop with a mask on

How we work

Local elected leaders work hard every day to make our cities safer, cleaner, and stronger for their communities. But that’s not all. When they have the right resources, they can also play a key role in advancing civil rights and defending them from attack.

Public Rights Project is in their corner with the legal strategies, tools, and collective power to effectively use the courts to protect their communities’ rights.

Litigation: We build strong legal cases, coordinate across jurisdictions, and provide direct support to local leaders so people can keep access to basic dignity under the law.

Training: We provide training that gives local government officials  the skills to be able to litigate effectively — either with us or on their own.

Convenings: We bring local government officials together to foster collaboration, address civil rights challenges, and develop actionable solutions.

Communications: We coordinate communications among our network of local governments and election officials and connect them with journalists so their voices can be heard.

 

Our impact

Since our founding in 2017, we’ve helped to advance workers’ rights and recovered millions of dollars for workers. We partner with local governments to enforce the worker protection laws already on the books.
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dollars recovered for marginalized people since 2017
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dollars recovered for California gig workers in 2023
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people protected from corporate abuse

Join the fight for workers’ rights

We’re ready to provide legal support and training to local government officials who are working to protect and advance workers' rights.

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