The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) published a bilingual report detailing the influence Latinos and unions have on each other.

LCLAA's report, titled "Latino Workers and Unions: A Strategic Partnership for America's Progress," acknowledges Latinos are better represented in a union, but "much work remains" to sure the community can prosper, according to LCLAA National President Milton Rosado.

The report recognized unions "urgently" need Latinos and immigrant workers to become union members. LCLAA stated workers have the lowest levels of health and pension coverage, earn the lowest wages, highest numbers of wage theft and highest occupational fatality rate.

"Latino and immigrant workers are making significant contributions to our country, but are facing unprecedented challenges at the workplace and in their communities. Over 6.8 million Latino workers are earning poverty level wages and need the economic security the labor movement has ensured for America's middle class," LCLAA's Executive Director Hector Sanchez said in a statement.

"This report highlights the important partnership that can be achieved through organizing to improve the quality of life for Latinos and strengthen America's labor movement."

While overall union membership rates have declined, the rate of Latinos joining the labor movement has increased. During 2014, more than 26 million Latinos represented 15 percent of the labor force, but not as many Latinos are engaged with unions. LCLAA mentioned more Latino men are represented in a union than Latinas. As of 2014 data, nearly 1.29 million Latinos were represented in a union, while 933,000 Latinas were represented.

LCLAA's report said Latino male union members earned approximately $43,576 per year, which is $12,584 more than the $30,992 for non-union Latino men. Among Latinas in unions, they earn nearly $38,428 per year, also higher than the $27,040 per year among non-union Latinas.

Within the undocumented immigrant community, the report acknowledged many immigrants have worked "low skilled jobs" with difficult, and often dangerous, working conditions. In addition to deportation fears, undocumented workers are often targeted by human and labor rights violators.

"Unfortunately, immigrants often fall victim to workplace injustices such as wage theft because they feel alone in the workforce. This is especially true when it comes to undocumented Latinos," the report read, noting undocumented workers are protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and can unionized. Exceptions to the NLRA are farmworkers.

"As a bilingual Latino organizer, I know firsthand that in order for unions to succeed, we have to engage Latino workers in a bold way," said Eric Alfaro, LCLAA's Young Latinos United chair. "Union's give Latinos a voice at the job and lift us out of poverty."

LCLAA's report recommended bilingual organizing campaigns to ensure Latinos familiarize with their labor rights.

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