Eddie Velazquez

Coalition calls on FARM Rio to ditch Starbucks partnership Starbucks has been accused of slavery and child labor within its international supply chains, as well as union-busting complaints in the U.S

Activists are demanding that FARM Rio end its partnership with Starbucks over allegations of slavery and child labor in its supply chain, as well as union-busting complaints in the U.S. @evelazquez.bsky.social for @prismreports.org prismreports.org/2025/06/12/f...

Coalition calls on FARM Rio to ditch Starbucks partnership Starbucks has been accused of slavery and child labor within its international supply chains, as well as union-busting complaints in the U.S

Coalition calls on FARM Rio to ditch Starbucks partnership over slavery, child labor, union-busting allegations, @evelazquez.bsky.social reports. The call comes after accusations of slavery & child labor within Starbucks’ intl. supply chains, as well as widespread union-busting complaints in the US.

This excellent article in @prismreports.org describes why workers are organizing for equity—and calling on REI to live up to its values. Read and share!
#REIUnion #REIWorkersSpeakOut #OptOutside

Nearly half of REI workers reported racial discrimination on the job, survey finds The National Employment Law Project also found that 64% of workers believe REI is becoming a worse place to work

A new survey from @nelp.org reveals that almost half of REI workers have witnessed racial discrimination, along with widespread age/gender discrimination & growing discontent with work conditions, @evelazquez.bsky.social‬ reports:
prismreports.org/2025/05/27/r...

Nearly half of REI workers reported racial discrimination on the job, survey finds The National Employment Law Project also found that 64% of workers believe REI is becoming a worse place to work

Amid reports of racial discrimination, < 4% of REI workers say the co-op is becoming a better place to work.

My @nelp.org colleague Hannah Chimowitz & I spoke to @evelazquez.bsky.social @prismreports.org about our new survey of REI workers prismreports.org/2025/05/27/r... #REIWorkersSpeakOut

Advocates say Syracuse needs Section 8. Trump wants to cut it. The Trump administration's proposed budget would reduce rental aid by about 40%. Housing aid would be distributed to states as a block grant.

The bad news: the measure would have helped thousands in Lincoln who qualify for rental aid under the federal Section 8 program — which helps millions find housing stability. That program is on the chopping block in this upcoming federal budget. I wrote about that: centralcurrent.org/advocates-sa...

The ballot measure that advocates in Lincoln, NE, worked to enact, protecting tenants from being discriminated against for the source of their income was approved by voters yesterday by almost 66%. You can read about it in this story I wrote for @prismreports.org: prismreports.org/2025/04/16/m...

Syracuse advocates worry about potential Trump cuts to Section 8 SHA Executive Director Bill Simmons said deep cuts to Section 8 could “absolutely” kill the redevelopment of public housing.

NEW: Trump reportedly eying cuts to Section 8. ‘It’d be catastrophic’ for Syracuse, NY., advocates say. Not only would cuts to the program result in people losing their housing, but rollbacks could also kill the redevelopment of public housing. That is a project almost a decade in the making

Ballot measure seeks to end source-of-income discrimination Advocates of the measure on Lincoln, Nebraska's May 6 special election ballot say section 8 voucher users often face discrimination

Landlords across 26 states can legally discriminate against tenants based on rental income, a practice that contributes to the homelessness crisis. On May 6, a special election ballot seeks to end that practice in Lincoln, NE, @evelazquez.bsky.social reports.
prismreports.org/2025/04/16/m...

Ballot measure seeks to end source-of-income discrimination Advocates of the measure on Lincoln, Nebraska's May 6 special election ballot say section 8 voucher users often face discrimination

"Landlords across 26 states in the U.S. are legally able to discriminate against tenants based on the source of their rental income."

"All in all, only about 60% of voucher holders are protected against source-of-income discrimination."
#Nebraska #USA #Housing

NYC immigrant workers brace for renewed deportation threats Advocates are focused on fortifying labor protections for street vendors and other immigrant workers at the state and local level

Street vendors & other NYC immigrant workers brace for renewed deportation threats under Trump, @evelazquez.bsky.social reports. Advocates focus on fortifying labor protections for immigrant workers at the state & local level: “These are frontline workers who are feeding & serving every New Yorker.”

Brooklyn tenant association wins $250,000 in waived rent A judge sided with the tenants at 1616 President St., who held a rent strike for four years to demand significant and necessary repairs

“You go to fight a landlord by yourself, he will eat you up. He will eat you up cold. He has more money than you. We have to understand we are stronger together.”

By Eddie Velaszquez for @prismreports.bsky.social

prismreports.org/2025/01/09/b...

Reporting from the sleepy Brooklyn housing bureau: Tenants across the country are organizing and winning significant concessions from their landlords. What does this organizing mean for renters? Where can it go? I spoke with folks at the newly formed Tenants Union Federation to find out

Brooklyn tenant association wins $250,000 in waived rent A judge sided with the tenants at 1616 President St., who held a rent strike for four years to demand significant and necessary repairs

Brooklyn tenant association wins $250,000 in waived rent in major victory, @evelazquez.bsky.social reports. A judge sided with the tenants at 1616 President St., who held a rent strike for four years to demand significant & necessary repairs from their landlord.
prismreports.org/2025/01/09/b...

Report details grim financial reality for workers at TCGPlayer About 87% of the workers at the Syracuse facility for the eBay-owned trading card game retailer earn less than a living wage for the area

Report details grim financial reality for workers at trading card retailer TCGPlayer, Eddie Velazquez reports. About 87% of the workers at the Syracuse facility for the eBay-owned trading card game retailer earn less than a living wage for the area.
prismreports.org/2024/12/10/r...