OUR MISSION

As an organization of low-income, working class families and youth, SWU unites in one collective struggle for self-governance based on dignity, respect, justice and liberation. SWU organizes its grassroots members through de-colonization, emancipatory education, leadership development and direct action for worker rights, environmental justice, and systemic change.​

OUR HISTORY

Originally founded to advocate for just wages and working conditions among San Antonio’s public school workers,

SWU’s scope of work and political impact has grown significantly over the past 30 years to address these multiple facets of injustice that impact low-income families in South Texas. SWU’s areas of strategic organizing include Economic Justice, with a focus on organizing classified low income workers; Healthy Communities; and Popular Education and Culture.

SWU Members carrying banners during a protest in Southwest Texas

Over the years, the organization has won major victories, for example, the contamination cleanup at the former Kelly Air Force Base and passed regulations on climate and air quality. SWU has built a strong popular political education and leadership development program that has involved thousands of members and allies from across the country. Additionally, SWU has advanced a political empowerment program that has educated new voters, increased voter turnout, and won key redistricting battles in majority-minority voting districts. The economic justice program at SWU has won living wage resolutions in low-income school districts and worked to reframe the debate on fair living wages through strategic grievances and recently won a vote against outsourcing the Food Service Department at a major school district.

Living wage for school workers protest with SWU members

SWU’s movement-building efforts have led to concrete partnerships and alliances that connect movements for justice in poor and working class communities of color to a larger collective struggle for systemic change. The most recent victory includes passing the first Climate Action & Adaptation Plan for San Antonio with strong focus on Equity.

two women of SWU holding a living wage for school workers sign
photo of the SWU board standing in front of a mural

Meet Our Board

Women workers, teachers and students make up the Board of Directors. Allied Board Members are participants of Centro por la Justicia, our parent organization. The Board is responsible for holding SWU to its mission.

Get to know our values.

FAMILIA

Events including family and child care, campaigns based on family, indigenous unity.

THE EARTH

Preservation, balance, understand our impact and promote habits toward well being.

KNOWLEDGE

Understand issues, vision, mission, jobs, ancestral conscienceness and common sense.

RESPECT

Respecting time, age, work, job position, sexual orientation and identity, love, humility, level understanding.

LEADERSHIP

Promote leadership and create capacity and spaces with focus on women and elders/youth gratitude and humility.

CULTURE

Arts, music, dance, food, style, and expression.

GRATITUDE

Leading by example. Giving thanks to community. Uplift the hardwork and show appreciation.