Workers' Rights Commission

Durham Workers Rights Commission Meeting 01.25.2022- Virtually via Zoom Attendees: Antonio Luster, Abigail Woten, Brian Powell, De’Shaun Campbell, Lisa Pratt, Mirlesna Azor-Sterlin, Priscilla Smith, Nancy Kalow, Bertha Bradley, Charles Gooch, Stephanie Smith. Agenda Items: I. CALL TO ORDER: 6:03pm II. PUBLIC COMMENTS – No one spoke during public comments. III. MINUTES/OLD BUSINESS: 6:04pm A. Note: November Minutes IV. COMMITTEE UPDATES: 6:07pm A. Note: Hellen Zaragoza on behalf of City Clerk’s Office was present for role call. B. New member’s introduction: Abigail Woten and De’Shaun Campbell. C. Member’s introduction: Mirlesna Azor-Sterlin, Nancy Kalow, Brian Powell, Lisa Pratt, Charles Gooch and Priscilla Smith. D. Motion to approve the WRC November 2021 Minutes: Motion made by Commissioner Powell, Seconded by Commissioner Azor-Sterlin. The vote was unanimous. V. NEW BUSINESS- 6:16pm The Living Wage Certification Process: ➔ The Living Wage Certification had been championed by the Durham Living Wage Project and they expected to be moving at a more rapid pace since Commissioner Luster wanted to present this project to council by spring. ◆Commissioner Powell volunteered to reach out to The People’s Alliance to help bring this project before council. ◆The recommendation was made to the city to endorse project. ◆ Commissioner Luster advised that he would reach out Council Member Jillian Johnson for more direction. Commissioner Luster had previously reached out to the City of Ashville and was standing by for a response. Commissioner Luster expressed a need to focus on one project for the next two months. He was to report back on the status. Selection of Commission Secretary: ➔ Commissioner Luster elaborated on the Commission Secretary position and opened the floor for questions. Communications:  ➔ Commissioner Luster requested all new and previous members to update their contact information. ◆ Commissioner Powell took the initiative to update Commissioner Luster on the data for roster data update. ◆ Commissioner Luster confirmed the only WRC resignation was Bria Miles and requested De’shaun and Abigail to be added to the roster. Southern Workers Assembly: ➔ Commissioner Luster and Commissioner Smith participated in the Southern Workers assembly. ◆ Commissioner Smith elaborated on the background and current status of the Southern Workers’ assembly and their mission. ◆ Commissioner Powell and Commissioner Gooch also confirmed their attendance at the Southern Workers assembly. Continued Member Introduction: ➔ Commissioner Stephanie N. Smith introduced herself. Amendment and Changes to City Grievance Policy: ➔ Commissioner’s Luster and Powell had been meeting with Mr. Dante and the City Manager Page and intended to follow up meeting in February. VI. OPEN DISCUSSION/COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS-7:48pm ➔ Commissioner Luster expressed his desire to harness everyone’s ideas and motivate everyone to partake in all of WRC’s projects. ➔ Commissioner Bradley expressed her confusion regarding the Living wage project? ◆ Commissioner Luster provided clarification for Commissioner Bradley. ➔ Commissioner Azor Sterlin and Commissioner Stephanie Smith offered to team up for the development and creation of the WRC document lab. Up Coming Initiatives: ❏ Commissioner Luster was to report when the City of Ashville responded to his correspondence regarding the Living Wage Project. ❏ Commissioner Luster was to reach out to Council Member Jillian Johnson for direction on how to address Council on the matters discussed at the meeting. ❏ Commissioner Powell was to update board members contact information and provide to the chair. ❏ Commissioner Luster was to provide and update regarding meeting with City Manager Page in February. Next meeting: 22nd of February @ 6pm Meeting Adjourned at 6:46pm Respectfully Submitted by: Hellen Zaragoza, Secretary to Workers’ Right’s Commission.