UC San Diego Labor Center Launch Event: A Celebration of Worker Empowerment and Social Justice
On April 12, the UC San Diego Labor Center held its official launch event at Park & Market. A momentous occasion hosted in the grand Forum space, the event drew a diverse and committed audience of more than 250 individuals dedicated to advancing worker rights and economic justice, gathered to celebrate the center’s mission to strengthen the labor movement through research, education, and partnerships.
The UC San Diego Labor Center is housed in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning and represents one of nine such hubs of labor research, scholarship, and policy work across UC campuses. The center brings together scholars from various disciplines to study the economic and social impacts of labor and employment issues.
The special launch event at Park & Market helped introduce Satomi Rash-Zeigler, the new Executive Director, more widely to the community. Rash-Zeigler opened the evening with impactful welcome remarks, including a personal account about her grandfather, a New York bus driver who was able to retire with dignity and respect due to his union job. Highlighting the transformative power of worker solidarity, Rash-Zeigler kicked off the evening’s slate of prominent speakers under the center’s launch theme of “Dreams in Action.”
“I’ve lived and breathed the labor movement for my entire adult life. And this is why. Because my dream for workers for all human beings on this planet is that we can all live with dignity and respect,” said Rash-Zeigler. “I believe the UC labor centers embody the idea of turning aspirations, hopes, and visions into tangible, impactful change driven and supported by data.”
After a blessing from Tribal Administrator Paola Martinez-Montes from the Manzanita band of the Kumeyaay Nation, the speakers conveyed hopes and dreams for workers and what the Labor Center represents.
Featured were Chairwoman Nora Vargas, San Diego County Supervisor, known for her dedication to removing barriers for underserved communities through civic engagement, public policy and community organizing; Senator Toni Atkins, a stalwart advocate for working people, who has supported initiatives such as increasing the minimum wage, improving workplace safety standards, and advancing paid family leave policies; Lorena Gonzales-Fletcher, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the California Labor Federation, a tireless leader in the fight for workers’ rights and social justice and a fierce advocate for working families; and Sean Elo Rivera, President, San Diego City Council, a dedicated leader, representing marginalized communities and championing worker rights in America’s Finest City.
The event also included formal remarks from San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe; Doug Moore, Executive Director of the United Domestic Workers of America; and Brigette Browning, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council. Dr. Lilly Irani, faculty director of the UC San Diego Labor Center, Kelly Mayhew and Jim Miller from San Diego Community College District, and Corinne Peek-Asa, UC San Diego Vice Chancellor of Research, also spoke. All expressed their support for the UC San Diego Labor Center and its mission to empower workers and build stronger communities.
The celebration was marked by vibrant dialogue and powerful insights, with organizers like Hector Meza, an electrical worker and IBEW 569 member, and UC San Diego alumna Daniela Flores, a passionate advocate and young leader from Imperial Valley, sharing firsthand accounts of how organizing empowers them and contributes to building a future of work that benefits everyone. Esteemed labor leaders provided invaluable perspectives on the importance of the center’s work, highlighting its role in supporting future organizing efforts and advocating for fair working conditions, living wages, and social justice. UC San Diego Labor Center staff, students, and partners were also present to mix and mingle with attendees and share reflections on the work ahead.
As a new addition to the UC Labor Center network, the UC San Diego Labor Center is poised to make a significant impact in advancing worker rights and economic justice. The launch event at Park & Market inspired attendees to strive for positive change and create a more just and equitable future for all workers.
Visit UC San Diego Labor Center for more information about their programs and upcoming events and learn more about Executive Director Satomi Rash-Zeigler here.