Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher is the President and Chief Officer of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. She is also the Secretary-Treasurer, Chief Officer, and former Political Director of the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO. In 2013, Lorena was elected to the State Assembly, passing laws and legislation allowing California workers to earn paid sick leave and farmers to receive overtime pay for working beyond eight hours a day. In 2019, she passed Assembly Bill 5, the strongest law in the country protecting workers against misclassification and wage theft. Lorena was the first Latina to serve as Chairwoman of a legislative Appropriations Committee.

In this episode…

Historically, Latinos have been excluded from the public sector due to immigration and citizenship status. Now, with Latinos comprising 90% of farm workers, 99% of janitors, and 50% of construction workers in California, this group has made tremendous strides. How can you follow in the footsteps of a Latina leader who fights for the rights of millions of union workers?

Throughout her career, Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher has tracked the evolution of unionized worker demographics, noting the rise in Latino populations. After witnessing agricultural workers fighting fruitlessly for increased pay and equal rights, Lorena passed a law requiring overtime pay for these individuals. She maintains that workers should benefit from a corporation's wealth, and rather than focusing on ceaseless business growth and power, organizations should distribute this wealth evenly among the workers who helped them grow.

Tune in to this episode of The Lawtino™ as John Gomez and guest host Vanessa Felix Corona invite Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, the President and Chief Officer of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, to speak about advocating for union rights. Lorena shares advice for emerging Latina political leaders, how to overcome imposter syndrome, and her endorsement by Dolores Huerta.