Building the American Dream
- Description
- Reviews
- Citation
- Cataloging
- Transcript
Across Texas, an unstoppable construction boom drives urban sprawl and luxury high-rises. Its dirty secret: abuse of immigrant labor. BUILDING THE AMERICAN DREAM captures a turning point as a movement forms to fight widespread construction industry injustices. Grieving their son, a Mexican family campaigns for a life-and-death safety ordinance. A Salvadorian electrician couple owed thousands in back pay fights for their children’s future. A bereaved son battles to protect others from his family's preventable tragedy. A story of courage, resilience, and community, the film reveals shocking truths about the hardworking immigrants who build the American Dream, of which they are excluded.
Video Librarian
"The film is heartening in that it shows us how some people will fight back, including at least a few of the undocumented, who have reason to worry about speaking up. At the same time, we know that every ounce of progress made toward laborer protections is far outweighed by the unscrupulous. Building the American Dream will make a viewer angry, but let in a little daylight, too. Strongly recommended."
Educational Media Reviews Online | Michael Pasqualoni, Librarian for Public Communications, Syracuse University Libraries
"A moving portrait of dangerous labor conditions within the Texas construction trades ... Building the American Dream is recommended viewing for those interested in labor studies, immigration, community organizing, Texas politics, or the sociology of the workplace."
Roger Ebert
“The hard-hitting documentary examines the recent boom in Texas’ economy and the toll it’s taken immigrant laborers.”
The Hollywood Reporter
“An eye-opener about the abuse of workers whose immigration status makes them victims.”
Film Threat
“This film opens your eyes even more to exactly how unfair this country is to undocumented immigrants, particularly those of Latinx origins. Chelsea Hernandez tugs at our heartstrings and puts fuel to a fire of righteous anger.”
Texas Observer
“A striking mix of intimate drama and something approaching a how-to guide for community organizers…”
The Austin Chronicle
“The film explores the dual threats of wage theft and personal injury with a determination that doesn’t shy away from the political. Hernandez brings us into City Council meetings and charts the Trump administration’s plans to end DACA. While these issues often get elevated and then abstracted in media, Hernandez instead allows the families to lead the tone of the documentary.”
Austin360
‘‘BUILDING THE AMERICAN DREAM reveals dark side of ‘Texas Miracle’’
Credits and citation support are not available for this title yet.
A MARC record for this title is not available yet.
Distributor subjects
Labor Studies; Immigration Studies; Hispanic + Latino Studies; Economics; Worker Rights; Democracy; Social Issues; Politics + PolicyKeywords
WEBVTT
00:00:00.566 --> 00:00:04.166
♪♪
00:00:05.933 --> 00:00:09.866
♪♪
00:00:09.966 --> 00:00:10.000
♪♪
00:00:10.033 --> 00:00:14.166
- This VOCES presentation of
\"Building the American Dream\"
00:00:18.266 --> 00:00:18.300
was made possible in part by...
00:00:18.333 --> 00:00:20.233
- The construction boom
is creating
00:00:56.900 --> 00:00:58.700
a huge demand for workers.
00:00:58.800 --> 00:01:01.300
- More than 300,000
construction jobs
00:01:01.400 --> 00:01:02.733
have generated
across the nation.
00:01:02.833 --> 00:01:07.200
- The sights of cranes looming
overhead has become common.
00:01:07.300 --> 00:01:09.900
- Texas has been trying to lure
companies away from other states
00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:12.900
with the promise of lower taxes
and lighter regulation,
00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:17.200
something people are calling
the Texas miracle.
00:01:17.300 --> 00:01:20.433
- Texas has no workers\'
compensation requirement,
00:01:20.533 --> 00:01:23.400
and that really draws
construction companies
00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:25.966
and builders, developers
into the area
00:01:26.066 --> 00:01:29.533
because that\'s less overhead
for them.
00:01:29.633 --> 00:01:32.400
- Most construction workers
in Texas do not receive
00:01:32.500 --> 00:01:35.966
any health and safety training
before they begin work,
00:01:36.066 --> 00:01:38.933
and clearly that might
be great for business,
00:01:39.033 --> 00:01:41.966
but it\'s not good for workers.
00:01:42.066 --> 00:01:44.400
- One in five construction
workers in Texas
00:01:44.500 --> 00:01:46.266
loses out to wage theft.
00:01:46.366 --> 00:01:49.733
- A million construction workers
labor across Texas.
00:01:49.833 --> 00:01:52.366
Half of them are undocumented.
00:01:52.466 --> 00:01:56.133
- Unsafe work conditions,
and nobody\'s watching.
00:01:59.933 --> 00:02:02.533
- A worker died today
during a construction accident.
00:02:02.633 --> 00:02:05.933
- Workers was crushed
by a concrete slab.
00:02:06.033 --> 00:02:10.633
♪♪
00:02:10.733 --> 00:02:13.866
- 25-year-old Angel Garcia
fell from the fourth level.
00:02:13.966 --> 00:02:15.600
- Armando Juarez died
at the scene.
00:02:15.700 --> 00:02:16.700
-Jesus Chuy Moreno.
00:02:16.766 --> 00:02:18.066
-Salvador Guillon.
00:02:18.166 --> 00:02:20.700
- Juarez\'s family will have
a funeral for him in Mexico,
00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:22.533
which is where
he\'s originally from.
00:02:22.633 --> 00:02:28.333
♪♪
00:02:28.433 --> 00:02:34.100
♪♪
00:02:34.200 --> 00:02:36.333
[ Birds chirping ]
00:02:49.533 --> 00:02:51.866
-She\'s a lover, so...
00:02:51.966 --> 00:02:54.600
That\'s where it\'s
all different personalities
00:02:54.700 --> 00:02:57.000
in different ways.
00:02:57.100 --> 00:03:00.733
This one, she\'s always
doing something.
00:03:00.833 --> 00:03:03.066
[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:03:12.933 --> 00:03:20.733
♪♪
00:03:20.833 --> 00:03:23.233
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:04:22.166 --> 00:04:27.933
♪♪
00:05:24.600 --> 00:05:27.366
[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:05:27.466 --> 00:05:32.666
♪♪
00:05:32.766 --> 00:05:34.166
[ Horn honks ]
00:05:34.266 --> 00:05:35.966
[ All speaking Spanish ]
00:05:43.300 --> 00:05:45.366
[ Cheering ]
00:06:27.033 --> 00:06:28.333
-The Workers Defense Project
00:06:28.433 --> 00:06:30.866
is one of 225 worker centers
nationwide
00:06:30.966 --> 00:06:34.800
aiding many of the country\'s
22 million immigrant workers.
00:06:34.900 --> 00:06:39.633
Reporter Steve Greenhouse
called it \"a union in spirit.\"
00:06:39.733 --> 00:06:41.300
- The Workers Defense Project
is one of the most
00:06:41.400 --> 00:06:44.233
successful worker centers,
00:06:44.333 --> 00:06:47.700
non-union worker advocacy
groups, in the country.
00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:51.000
And it\'s been very smart
combining the models
00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:52.833
of some other groups.
00:06:52.933 --> 00:06:55.433
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:06:55.533 --> 00:06:56.766
- They looked at
the restaurant industry.
00:06:56.866 --> 00:06:58.866
They looked at
the dry cleaning industry.
00:06:58.966 --> 00:07:01.400
They looked at
the construction industry.
00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:03.566
And they saw
that a lot of workers
00:07:03.666 --> 00:07:06.500
were really having a hard time.
00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:09.866
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:07:13.166 --> 00:07:18.800
♪♪
00:07:18.900 --> 00:07:24.533
♪♪
00:07:24.633 --> 00:07:27.966
[ Engine running ]
00:07:36.066 --> 00:07:38.133
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:07:48.300 --> 00:07:51.333
[ Spanish music
playing on phone ]
00:07:51.433 --> 00:07:53.166
Alessandro.
00:08:07.033 --> 00:08:15.033
♪♪
00:08:15.766 --> 00:08:23.766
♪♪
00:08:31.666 --> 00:08:36.733
♪♪
00:08:48.066 --> 00:08:55.166
♪♪
00:08:55.266 --> 00:08:57.666
[ Hammer pounding ]
00:10:26.866 --> 00:10:28.500
-Uh-huh.
00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:31.266
[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:10:59.300 --> 00:11:01.200
Wow.
00:11:20.166 --> 00:11:21.900
Uh-huh.
00:11:48.533 --> 00:11:50.533
Wow.
00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:02.100
-Yeah.
00:12:09.466 --> 00:12:11.000
-Uh-huh.
00:12:48.166 --> 00:12:50.866
[ Hammer pounding ]
00:12:55.166 --> 00:12:57.300
[ School bell ringing,
children talking ]
00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:02.433
-I pledge allegiance to the flag
00:13:02.533 --> 00:13:04.633
of the United States of America,
00:13:04.733 --> 00:13:07.300
and to the republic
for which it stands,
00:13:07.400 --> 00:13:10.200
one nation under God,
indivisible,
00:13:10.300 --> 00:13:12.766
with liberty and justice
for all.
00:13:12.866 --> 00:13:15.066
-And now for the Texas pledge.
00:13:15.166 --> 00:13:17.033
-Honor the Texas flag.
00:13:17.133 --> 00:13:19.833
I pledge allegiance to thee,
Texas,
00:13:19.933 --> 00:13:24.566
one state under God,
one and indivisible.
00:13:24.666 --> 00:13:26.466
- We\'ll be celebrating
Veterans Day,
00:13:26.566 --> 00:13:29.000
and we will be having our
second pep rally of the year.
00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:31.700
We\'ll be looking for
the most patriotic outfit.
00:13:31.800 --> 00:13:33.800
Sixth graders,
you will dress up in...
00:13:33.900 --> 00:13:36.633
- I was born here,
and my parents...
00:13:36.733 --> 00:13:40.466
They weren\'t born here.
00:13:40.566 --> 00:13:44.300
They came for me and my sister
and my brother
00:13:44.400 --> 00:13:49.533
and my other brother
to have a good education,
00:13:49.633 --> 00:13:52.700
because in Mexico,
where they were from,
00:13:52.800 --> 00:13:55.866
not everybody gets
the same education.
00:13:55.966 --> 00:13:58.333
Not everybody gets
the same amount of food.
00:14:07.433 --> 00:14:09.366
[ Laughs ]
00:14:09.466 --> 00:14:10.600
Oh, oh, oh!
00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:15.533
When I play basketball,
I think about my brother.
00:14:18.466 --> 00:14:21.766
He was the one that showed me
how to play basketball.
00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:28.900
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:14:41.533 --> 00:14:49.533
♪♪
00:14:50.400 --> 00:14:58.400
♪♪
00:14:59.233 --> 00:15:07.233
♪♪
00:15:08.166 --> 00:15:11.466
[ Telephone ringing ]
00:15:11.566 --> 00:15:13.033
- 911.
Where\'s your emergency?
00:15:13.133 --> 00:15:15.766
-Ah, yes, uh, Hawthorne Lane.
00:15:15.866 --> 00:15:16.900
-What\'s going on there?
00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.333
-We\'re in a new neighborhood.
00:15:18.433 --> 00:15:21.566
One of the workers,
the Mexican workers, came over
00:15:21.666 --> 00:15:24.133
and said one of his partners
is extremely ill.
00:15:24.233 --> 00:15:25.900
It\'s really hot.
They\'ve been working.
00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:28.266
And he just asked me
to please call.
00:15:28.366 --> 00:15:30.533
- Okay, we\'ll get somebody
out there.
00:15:30.633 --> 00:15:33.800
- 25-year-old Roendy Granillo
of Haltom City
00:15:33.900 --> 00:15:35.400
died July 19th.
00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:38.200
He was working on a
construction site in Melissa
00:15:38.300 --> 00:15:40.366
but died at the hospital
that evening.
00:15:40.466 --> 00:15:48.466
♪♪
00:15:49.866 --> 00:15:57.866
♪♪
00:15:59.233 --> 00:16:01.666
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:16:37.566 --> 00:16:44.433
♪♪
00:17:42.833 --> 00:17:46.033
- This morning, the brutal summer
heat drags on in Texas.
00:17:46.133 --> 00:17:49.200
- Gonna continue to feel like
105, 106 into tomorrow.
00:17:49.300 --> 00:17:51.733
- It makes it squarely the
hottest summer we\'ve ever seen.
00:17:51.833 --> 00:17:53.233
-Listen to your body,
00:17:53.333 --> 00:17:57.300
and if you start to feel weak
or dizzy, stop immediately.
00:17:57.400 --> 00:18:00.000
[ Hammers pounding ]
00:18:02.566 --> 00:18:04.326
- The Dallas City Council\'s
gonna take a look
00:18:04.366 --> 00:18:06.266
at a proposal
to make rest breaks
00:18:06.366 --> 00:18:08.133
for the construction workers
mandatory.
00:18:08.233 --> 00:18:09.500
- Yeah, it might seem
rather surprising,
00:18:09.600 --> 00:18:12.066
but right now there is nothing,
no federal law,
00:18:12.166 --> 00:18:15.933
no state law, that requires
rest breaks for anyone.
00:18:16.033 --> 00:18:22.366
♪♪
00:18:22.466 --> 00:18:28.833
♪♪
00:18:28.933 --> 00:18:30.500
- These are folks who work
10 hours
00:18:30.600 --> 00:18:32.600
doing the hardest job
you can possibly do,
00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:35.966
and they\'re not afforded
the basic rights of water.
00:18:36.066 --> 00:18:37.733
- Yeah, I did construction,
roofing,
00:18:37.833 --> 00:18:40.033
and sometimes
we didn\'t get water breaks.
00:18:40.133 --> 00:18:42.433
And I noticed people
having accidents,
00:18:42.533 --> 00:18:45.300
falling off of two-story houses
00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:47.633
because they were tired.
00:18:47.733 --> 00:18:50.133
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:16.066
- it stands,
one nation under God,
00:19:16.166 --> 00:19:20.800
indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all.
00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:22.200
-Good afternoon.
00:19:22.300 --> 00:19:27.200
Beginning on page three,
you have the proposed ordinance
00:19:27.300 --> 00:19:29.000
that is to adopt
the rest-break ordinance
00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:31.266
that requires
a 10-minute rest break
00:19:31.366 --> 00:19:33.133
for every four hours of work
00:19:33.233 --> 00:19:35.766
performed on permitted
construction sites.
00:19:35.866 --> 00:19:38.133
-Thank you. Mr. Callahan?
00:19:38.233 --> 00:19:40.700
- Yeah, thank you, Mayor,
and I appreciate all the passion
00:19:40.800 --> 00:19:43.366
that\'s gone behind this,
but again,
00:19:43.466 --> 00:19:46.133
it\'s just another piece
of paper, another poster,
00:19:46.233 --> 00:19:50.066
another requirement, and all
for a feel-good, mind you.
00:19:50.166 --> 00:19:52.233
\"Hey, man, we got that done.
Check.
00:19:52.333 --> 00:19:54.633
Let\'s come up with
a new work rule next year.
00:19:54.733 --> 00:19:56.800
Won\'t that be fun?\"
00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:59.033
If you know you think
you got a boom now, Mayor,
00:19:59.133 --> 00:20:01.566
you know, we could really
have a boom here
00:20:01.666 --> 00:20:04.266
if we just simply
streamline that.
00:20:04.366 --> 00:20:06.633
But quit telling business no.
00:20:06.733 --> 00:20:08.500
Quit telling them no.
00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:10.833
Let the federal government
be the arbiter
00:20:10.933 --> 00:20:13.400
when it comes down
to rules and regulations.
00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:15.933
Thank you.
00:20:16.033 --> 00:20:17.433
-Mr. Clayton.
00:20:17.533 --> 00:20:20.066
- The reality of it is this
is coming up from the ground up
00:20:20.166 --> 00:20:21.766
of people who were in
the construction business
00:20:21.866 --> 00:20:23.533
saying, \"This is a problem.\"
00:20:23.633 --> 00:20:25.866
You know, the data that
we\'re getting anecdotally is,
00:20:25.966 --> 00:20:28.466
you know, one out of three
people who are in this business
00:20:28.566 --> 00:20:30.600
are saying they are not
getting breaks.
00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:32.833
-Mr. Kleinman.
00:20:32.933 --> 00:20:37.266
- This group is a bunch
of charlatans coming in here
00:20:37.366 --> 00:20:39.500
posing for the unions
00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:43.433
in a in a right-to-work state,
00:20:43.533 --> 00:20:47.066
and the fact of the matter is
limiting people\'s right to work
00:20:47.166 --> 00:20:50.733
is bad for workers, too.
00:20:50.833 --> 00:20:52.800
It just... I just...
00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:55.200
I\'m just always very frustrated
when this council
00:20:55.300 --> 00:20:59.233
is not making decisions
based on facts.
00:20:59.333 --> 00:21:01.600
And I don\'t see any reason
to even bring this forward
00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:04.166
to council for
for consideration.
00:21:04.266 --> 00:21:05.266
Thank you.
00:21:05.366 --> 00:21:07.233
- Thank you.
Mr. Kingston?
00:21:07.333 --> 00:21:11.333
- The data that I\'m relying on
is Roendy Granillo, who\'s dead.
00:21:11.433 --> 00:21:16.266
I\'ve got data from from
the Agape Clinic in East Dallas
00:21:16.366 --> 00:21:20.233
that averages one heat-relat...
Heat-illness-related complaint
00:21:20.333 --> 00:21:23.000
a week during the summer.
00:21:23.100 --> 00:21:25.366
I think that\'s pretty good data.
00:21:25.466 --> 00:21:28.333
People who are coming here are,
by and large,
00:21:28.433 --> 00:21:30.533
disadvantaged Hispanics.
00:21:30.633 --> 00:21:33.966
Protecting
their physical well-being
00:21:34.066 --> 00:21:38.033
is about the least we can do.
00:21:38.133 --> 00:21:40.800
- I heard of the death
this morning,
00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:44.600
which is very poignant
and must...
00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:49.133
I mean, it just breaks your
heart that you lose a son.
00:21:49.233 --> 00:21:51.700
And it makes me very upset
to think there are people
00:21:51.800 --> 00:21:55.033
that are not working
in a safe environment.
00:21:55.133 --> 00:21:57.833
I also don\'t want
to lie to people.
00:21:57.933 --> 00:22:01.233
I wish we had the power
by making... to make
00:22:01.333 --> 00:22:03.833
those individuals\' lives better.
00:22:03.933 --> 00:22:06.033
It\'s just not true.
00:22:06.133 --> 00:22:09.200
- Thank you. Next item.
Let\'s take the next item.
00:22:09.300 --> 00:22:11.833
- Our next briefing
is in regards to
00:22:11.933 --> 00:22:14.200
the Complete Streets initiative
and design manual
00:22:14.300 --> 00:22:15.600
that\'s associated with it.
00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:19.600
Jill is going to be running
through that very quickly.
00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:22.500
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:22:29.066 --> 00:22:31.633
[ Engine running ]
00:22:36.433 --> 00:22:38.700
[ Vehicle beeping ]
00:22:48.300 --> 00:22:56.300
♪♪
00:22:56.700 --> 00:23:04.700
♪♪
00:23:05.166 --> 00:23:07.133
- Census Bureau says
the Dallas-Fort Worth area
00:23:07.233 --> 00:23:10.800
is the fastest-growing area
in the entire country,
00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:13.300
- We\'re booming by more than
300 people a day.
00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:16.833
- What Texas works on is trying
to reduce regulations
00:23:16.933 --> 00:23:19.900
and provide a hospitable
environment for businesses,
00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:23.266
because when businesses succeed
in Texas,
00:23:23.366 --> 00:23:25.700
Texas will succeed.
00:23:25.800 --> 00:23:29.900
- Texas, in many respects,
is the Wild West.
00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:33.400
We know that one in five workers
in the construction industry
00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:36.833
are subject to a workplace
injury or fatality,
00:23:36.933 --> 00:23:41.233
and so that\'s really indicative
of the lack of oversight
00:23:41.333 --> 00:23:44.366
and the lack of requirements
for the industry.
00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:48.933
- Texas boasts that, you know,
this is a good place
00:23:49.033 --> 00:23:51.766
for folks to invest in
because unions are weak,
00:23:51.866 --> 00:23:55.866
because we hate regulations
in Texas.
00:23:55.966 --> 00:23:59.866
Texas would not have this
very high fatality rate
00:23:59.966 --> 00:24:04.200
for construction workers
if there were more inspections,
00:24:04.300 --> 00:24:07.033
if companies felt more pressured
00:24:07.133 --> 00:24:10.133
to watch for what\'s good
for their workers.
00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:14.700
- The penalties for violating
the law
00:24:14.800 --> 00:24:17.533
are so low
that unscrupulous employers,
00:24:17.633 --> 00:24:20.666
employers who don\'t want
to play by the rules,
00:24:20.766 --> 00:24:25.366
just figure it into
the cost of doing business.
00:24:25.466 --> 00:24:29.000
- For many of these
low-road employers,
00:24:29.100 --> 00:24:31.533
they know that if they hire
undocumented workers
00:24:31.633 --> 00:24:33.366
and that worker is hurt,
00:24:33.466 --> 00:24:35.766
they\'re gonna disappear.
00:24:35.866 --> 00:24:38.433
Their family pays the cost.
00:24:38.533 --> 00:24:40.666
It doesn\'t cost
the employer anything.
00:24:50.533 --> 00:24:53.433
[ Indistinct talking
in background ]
00:24:59.233 --> 00:25:01.100
- Morning, men.
- Hello.
00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:03.333
How\'s everybody?
What class is this?
00:25:03.433 --> 00:25:04.900
-Is our safety advisors...
00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.433
- Safety advisors.
- Weekly meeting, yes.
00:25:06.533 --> 00:25:08.200
- And these are all
our safety advisors?
00:25:08.300 --> 00:25:09.333
- Yes.
- All but one.
00:25:09.433 --> 00:25:10.600
-All but one.
00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:12.900
And these guys know safety
better than anybody.
00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:16.066
And I think that\'s
extremely important.
00:25:16.166 --> 00:25:17.966
I\'m very proud
of each one of you.
00:25:18.066 --> 00:25:19.600
And we\'re gonna fix
this immigration mess.
00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:22.000
Any of you got
undocumented friends?
00:25:22.100 --> 00:25:24.533
- Perhaps.
- [ Laughs ] \"Perhaps.\"
00:25:24.633 --> 00:25:27.033
[ Laughter ]
00:25:27.133 --> 00:25:30.200
We\'re a company
that\'s been around for 78 years.
00:25:32.266 --> 00:25:34.633
Safety is number one.
00:25:34.733 --> 00:25:37.666
We want everybody to go home
the way they came to work.
00:25:41.666 --> 00:25:47.766
Overall, the industry is facing
severe labor shortage.
00:25:47.866 --> 00:25:51.733
We need 100 men.
We can\'t find them.
00:25:51.833 --> 00:25:54.333
We have to go to a labor broker
00:25:54.433 --> 00:25:56.400
who very well
may not be doing it right.
00:25:56.500 --> 00:26:01.366
But as long as he\'s in business,
I can hire someone like that.
00:26:01.466 --> 00:26:03.233
Well, how you doing, man?
00:26:03.333 --> 00:26:05.533
You doing okay?
- Yeah.
00:26:05.633 --> 00:26:06.600
- It\'s good to see you.
- Yeah.
00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:08.566
- How many years
you been with us?
00:26:08.666 --> 00:26:10.766
Come on, ask him...
- [ Speaking Spanish ]
00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:13.633
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:16.440
- Four months.
- Four months.
00:26:16.533 --> 00:26:18.253
Oh, you just started then, yeah.
Well, good.
00:26:18.333 --> 00:26:19.366
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:26:19.466 --> 00:26:20.866
- Ah, okay.
- Yeah.
00:26:20.966 --> 00:26:23.000
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:26:23.100 --> 00:26:24.100
-Good to see you, sir.
00:26:24.133 --> 00:26:25.566
-She\'s strong, she\'s strong.
00:26:25.666 --> 00:26:26.933
Her husband works for us, too,
right?
00:26:27.033 --> 00:26:30.633
- Yes, sir, he does.
- That\'s good.
00:26:30.733 --> 00:26:33.733
There\'s so many people that
want to come here for the work,
00:26:33.833 --> 00:26:37.500
and there\'s no enforcement
to speak of.
00:26:37.600 --> 00:26:41.333
They\'re abusing workers and
taking advantage of the system.
00:26:41.433 --> 00:26:43.700
If you\'re an undocumented worker
and you don\'t like something,
00:26:43.800 --> 00:26:45.466
if you don\'t get paid,
what are you gonna do?
00:26:45.566 --> 00:26:47.766
Go to the police?
No.
00:26:47.866 --> 00:26:50.000
[ Machine beeping ]
00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:52.733
Got room?
Let\'s do it, guys.
00:26:52.833 --> 00:26:55.200
- Hold on.
[ Speaks indistinctly ]
00:26:56.466 --> 00:26:58.933
- I\'m not real popular
many times in our industry
00:26:59.033 --> 00:27:02.566
because I sort of
call it like it is.
00:27:02.666 --> 00:27:05.800
But what we have today
is not sustainable.
00:27:20.666 --> 00:27:23.633
[ Both speaking Spanish ]
00:28:13.966 --> 00:28:20.533
♪♪
00:31:01.266 --> 00:31:03.733
[ Saw buzzing ]
00:31:43.100 --> 00:31:45.300
[ Indistinct talking ]
00:32:25.433 --> 00:32:28.700
-[ Singing in Spanish ]
00:33:36.433 --> 00:33:41.133
- It\'s not easy, but when
it comes to sharing his story,
00:33:41.233 --> 00:33:44.666
I\'m definitely down for that
because not everybody knows
00:33:44.766 --> 00:33:47.700
about him
and what happened to him.
00:33:47.800 --> 00:33:49.900
But I realize
there\'s a lot of people
00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:52.900
that went through
the same thing as him.
00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:58.066
♪♪
00:33:58.166 --> 00:34:00.533
- In Austin\'s building boom,
a victim...
00:34:00.633 --> 00:34:04.000
28-year-old Ramiro Loa
fell three stories to his death
00:34:04.100 --> 00:34:06.000
from the Eastside Station
apartments.
00:34:06.100 --> 00:34:08.533
His brother was by his side
at the time.
00:34:08.633 --> 00:34:13.066
[ Chanting and singing
in Spanish ]
00:34:13.166 --> 00:34:15.466
- I did reach out to
the developer of the project,
00:34:15.566 --> 00:34:19.100
Flournoy Properties,
and was told no comment.
00:34:19.200 --> 00:34:24.766
♪♪
00:35:01.933 --> 00:35:04.900
[ Cheers and applause ]
00:35:14.766 --> 00:35:16.766
[ Cheering ]
00:36:16.133 --> 00:36:19.400
[ Chanting in Spanish ]
00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:22.500
-[ Singing Spanish ]
00:36:22.600 --> 00:36:29.866
♪♪
00:36:29.966 --> 00:36:37.433
♪♪
00:37:01.166 --> 00:37:03.866
[ Applause ]
00:37:15.400 --> 00:37:17.766
[ Laughter ]
00:37:30.200 --> 00:37:32.200
[ Applause ]
00:37:45.366 --> 00:37:48.300
[ Children shouting excitedly ]
00:37:52.266 --> 00:37:53.766
-I made it!
00:37:53.866 --> 00:37:56.000
[ Shouting continues ]
00:38:08.066 --> 00:38:10.533
-[ Singing in Spanish ]
00:38:18.200 --> 00:38:20.333
[ Indistinct talking
and laughter ]
00:38:28.466 --> 00:38:29.566
[ Singing in Spanish ]
00:38:29.666 --> 00:38:32.000
[ Children shrieking ]
00:38:33.733 --> 00:38:36.166
[ Chanting in Spanish ]
00:38:40.633 --> 00:38:43.600
[ Laughter ]
00:38:51.000 --> 00:38:59.000
♪♪
00:38:59.633 --> 00:39:07.633
♪♪
00:39:08.300 --> 00:39:16.300
♪♪
00:39:16.933 --> 00:39:24.933
♪♪
00:39:25.566 --> 00:39:33.566
♪♪
00:39:34.166 --> 00:39:42.166
♪♪
00:40:26.733 --> 00:40:28.800
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:40:47.500 --> 00:40:49.400
- Mm-hmm.
- Okay.
00:40:49.500 --> 00:40:51.766
[ Speaking Spanish ]
- Mm-hmm.
00:40:51.866 --> 00:40:54.500
[ Both speaking indistinctly ]
00:41:14.433 --> 00:41:16.633
[ Zipper zipping ]
00:41:35.666 --> 00:41:38.833
[ Chiming ]
00:41:43.133 --> 00:41:46.533
Ah? Hmm?
00:42:03.966 --> 00:42:11.966
♪♪
00:42:13.266 --> 00:42:21.266
♪♪
00:42:22.533 --> 00:42:30.533
♪♪
00:42:31.833 --> 00:42:39.833
♪♪
00:42:41.100 --> 00:42:49.100
♪♪
00:42:50.400 --> 00:42:58.400
♪♪
00:42:59.666 --> 00:43:07.666
♪♪
00:43:16.566 --> 00:43:20.400
- Hopefully they want
to make the law.
00:43:20.500 --> 00:43:23.533
I... I... yeah.
00:43:28.700 --> 00:43:32.133
I\'m gonna say that... mm...
00:43:32.233 --> 00:43:34.600
we\'re gonna...
00:43:34.700 --> 00:43:39.466
we\'re not gonna stop
until we get the law in.
00:43:39.566 --> 00:43:46.700
Well, I\'m here to represent
my mom and dad and...
00:43:46.800 --> 00:43:49.966
[whispering]
stuff like that.
00:43:50.066 --> 00:43:52.933
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:43:54.433 --> 00:43:56.833
[ Engine starts ]
00:43:56.933 --> 00:44:04.133
♪♪
00:44:04.233 --> 00:44:08.033
[ Indistinct talking ]
00:44:08.133 --> 00:44:09.466
- Hi.
- Hi. How are you?
00:44:09.566 --> 00:44:11.133
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
00:44:11.233 --> 00:44:15.000
- Today we...
Today we\'re gonna do good.
00:44:15.100 --> 00:44:16.333
If you need anything,
let me know.
00:44:16.433 --> 00:44:17.866
I\'ll be inside.
- Okay.
00:44:17.966 --> 00:44:19.300
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
00:44:19.400 --> 00:44:20.880
- What are you gonna
tell the council?
00:44:20.933 --> 00:44:22.333
What are you going to say?
00:44:22.433 --> 00:44:26.666
- I want the workers to say,
\"Hey, I\'m tired.
00:44:26.766 --> 00:44:29.266
I want to take a rest break.\"
00:44:29.366 --> 00:44:31.233
- Do you think that would have
helped your brother?
00:44:31.333 --> 00:44:33.333
-Yeah, a lot.
00:44:33.433 --> 00:44:40.233
♪♪
00:44:40.333 --> 00:44:42.000
- I\'m rolling,
whenever you\'re ready.
00:44:42.100 --> 00:44:43.233
-Yes.
00:44:43.333 --> 00:44:44.900
- Putting an additional burden
on businesses
00:44:45.000 --> 00:44:46.133
in the city of Dallas
00:44:46.233 --> 00:44:47.800
just means they\'ll take
their business elsewhere,
00:44:47.900 --> 00:44:49.333
and then that\'s bad
for all workers
00:44:49.433 --> 00:44:51.533
because then
they don\'t have jobs in Dallas.
00:44:57.500 --> 00:45:00.166
I think that\'s at the discretion
of the contractor.
00:45:00.266 --> 00:45:04.666
I don\'t think that\'s a...
The demand of the city.
00:45:04.766 --> 00:45:06.500
-Got it.
00:45:06.600 --> 00:45:09.366
[ Indistinct talking ]
00:45:09.466 --> 00:45:11.200
- Thank you. We\'re gonna move
at the mayor\'s request
00:45:11.300 --> 00:45:14.200
to addendum item number four
right now,
00:45:14.300 --> 00:45:16.300
and that is an ordinance
authorizing amendment
00:45:16.400 --> 00:45:17.733
to provide construction workers
00:45:17.833 --> 00:45:21.233
with a 10-minute rest break
for every four hours.
00:45:21.333 --> 00:45:23.433
We do have four
registered speaker...
00:45:23.533 --> 00:45:26.600
Five registered speakers
on that item.
00:45:26.700 --> 00:45:29.200
- Good morning.
My name is John Corker.
00:45:29.300 --> 00:45:31.766
I\'m an emergency medicine
physician here in Dallas,
00:45:31.866 --> 00:45:35.233
and unfortunately, there has
been a disproportionate amount
00:45:35.333 --> 00:45:37.766
of heat-related illness
in a city like Dallas.
00:45:37.866 --> 00:45:39.466
For every one that\'s
lost their lives,
00:45:39.566 --> 00:45:40.766
there\'s been dozens of others
00:45:40.866 --> 00:45:43.366
who have had accidents
that were later found to be
00:45:43.466 --> 00:45:46.733
due in large part
to heat-related illness.
00:45:46.833 --> 00:45:49.066
-Jasmine Granillo.
00:45:49.166 --> 00:45:52.366
- I\'m the sister
of a fallen construction worker.
00:45:52.466 --> 00:45:56.133
No family should experience
the loss we went through.
00:45:56.233 --> 00:46:00.133
You have the power to protect
the workers who built this city.
00:46:00.233 --> 00:46:01.733
My other brother and my dad
00:46:01.833 --> 00:46:04.133
are still working
in construction,
00:46:04.233 --> 00:46:08.466
and I don\'t want to believe
that what happened to my brother
00:46:08.566 --> 00:46:10.333
can happen to them.
00:46:10.433 --> 00:46:12.766
Thank you.
00:46:12.866 --> 00:46:14.400
- Move to approve.
- Second.
00:46:14.500 --> 00:46:16.166
- The motion is seconded.
Mr. Kleinman?
00:46:16.266 --> 00:46:20.300
- Colleagues,
I\'ve circulated at your desk
00:46:20.400 --> 00:46:24.933
a compromise
to vote against the ordinance
00:46:25.033 --> 00:46:29.400
so that we can have an honest,
clear discussion of a compromise
00:46:29.500 --> 00:46:31.833
that I think
we can all get behind.
00:46:31.933 --> 00:46:33.733
Please vote.
00:46:33.833 --> 00:46:35.666
- I\'m sorry. One moment.
You want record vote?
00:46:35.766 --> 00:46:38.266
- Yes, record vote.
- One moment, please.
00:46:38.366 --> 00:46:41.066
- Please proceed
voting on the ordinance.
00:46:41.166 --> 00:46:42.700
-Voting the ordinance.
00:46:45.766 --> 00:46:49.600
- 11 have voted, 12.
All have voted on the motion.
00:46:54.333 --> 00:46:59.200
Voting in favor...
Council members Medrano,
00:46:59.300 --> 00:47:01.233
Arnold, Thomas,
00:47:01.333 --> 00:47:04.166
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Wilson,
Council Member Clayton,
00:47:04.266 --> 00:47:05.500
Mayor Pro Tem Alonzo,
00:47:05.600 --> 00:47:08.900
council members Kingston,
Greyson, Briggs, and Young.
00:47:09.000 --> 00:47:13.600
Voting against... council member
McGough, Gates, Kleinman,
00:47:13.700 --> 00:47:16.266
Mayor Rawlings,
and Council Member Callahan.
00:47:16.366 --> 00:47:17.566
The motion carries, Mr. Mayor.
00:47:17.666 --> 00:47:18.766
-Thank you.
00:47:18.866 --> 00:47:20.233
[ Cheers and applause ]
00:47:20.333 --> 00:47:22.533
Thank you.
00:47:22.633 --> 00:47:25.300
♪♪
00:47:25.400 --> 00:47:26.966
Thank you.
00:47:29.933 --> 00:47:31.533
Thank you.
00:47:31.633 --> 00:47:32.833
-How do you feel?
00:47:32.933 --> 00:47:35.166
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:47:44.233 --> 00:47:46.033
-Something gave me courage.
00:47:46.133 --> 00:47:48.933
Like, knew something
was gonna happen,
00:47:49.033 --> 00:47:50.533
something good.
00:47:50.633 --> 00:47:55.300
♪♪
00:48:27.733 --> 00:48:30.000
[ Spanish music playing
in background ]
00:48:31.666 --> 00:48:34.000
- Here, Marvin.
Are you listening?
00:48:34.100 --> 00:48:36.700
[ Indistinct talking ]
00:48:49.366 --> 00:48:51.700
-Hola! Como estas?
00:48:57.400 --> 00:49:00.166
- You have the honor,
the pleasure to be here
00:49:00.266 --> 00:49:03.200
supporting Claudia
and really making a statement
00:49:03.300 --> 00:49:06.300
that we\'re not letting this
happen to our community members,
00:49:06.400 --> 00:49:08.600
and we\'re not letting anyone
stand between us
00:49:08.700 --> 00:49:10.566
and our people and our family.
00:49:31.866 --> 00:49:34.566
♪♪
00:49:34.666 --> 00:49:36.900
[ Cheering ]
00:49:37.000 --> 00:49:38.966
♪♪
00:49:50.366 --> 00:49:53.233
[ Chanting in Spanish ]
00:49:55.566 --> 00:49:56.833
-She deserves to be here.
00:49:56.933 --> 00:49:59.500
She deserves to live a dignified
life with her family.
00:49:59.600 --> 00:50:01.066
[ Cheering ]
00:50:01.166 --> 00:50:06.700
♪♪
00:50:06.800 --> 00:50:08.966
[ Cheering ]
00:50:09.066 --> 00:50:15.333
♪♪
00:50:15.433 --> 00:50:21.866
♪♪
00:50:41.833 --> 00:50:44.800
[ Chanting in Spanish ]
00:50:48.533 --> 00:50:50.900
[ Cheering ]
00:50:51.000 --> 00:50:53.700
♪♪
00:51:04.966 --> 00:51:07.700
-Si.
00:51:07.800 --> 00:51:09.400
Okay. Bye.
00:51:09.500 --> 00:51:11.566
[ Laughs ]
00:51:13.300 --> 00:51:17.133
[ Laughter ]
00:51:27.633 --> 00:51:31.633
[ Spanish music playing
on radio ]
00:51:31.733 --> 00:51:33.700
-Wow.
00:51:38.000 --> 00:51:40.466
[ Indistinct talking ]
00:51:48.266 --> 00:51:49.366
-But it\'s really great.
00:51:49.466 --> 00:51:51.200
- It is really an honor for me
to introduce
00:51:51.300 --> 00:51:54.033
Gustavo and his daughter
Jasmine tonight.
00:51:54.133 --> 00:51:55.366
Even though they had
a lot of grief
00:51:55.466 --> 00:51:57.266
and they were going through
such a difficult time,
00:51:57.366 --> 00:52:00.466
immediately, they started
working on
00:52:00.566 --> 00:52:04.000
getting workers in Dallas
the right to drink water
00:52:04.100 --> 00:52:05.366
and the right to take a rest.
00:52:05.466 --> 00:52:07.933
[ Applause ]
00:52:12.766 --> 00:52:15.733
- Some families went through
the same thing we went through,
00:52:15.833 --> 00:52:20.000
but decided to
keep quiet about it.
00:52:20.100 --> 00:52:22.733
We didn\'t want to keep quiet
about it, though.
00:52:22.833 --> 00:52:28.933
It blows my mind how
some people don\'t look around
00:52:29.033 --> 00:52:31.700
and open their eyes
00:52:31.800 --> 00:52:34.833
and realize
workers are important
00:52:34.933 --> 00:52:36.200
to America.
00:52:36.300 --> 00:52:38.500
-[ Speaking Spanish ]
00:52:50.300 --> 00:52:52.966
[ Cheers and applause ]
00:52:53.066 --> 00:52:57.566
♪♪
00:53:02.400 --> 00:53:04.733
[ Chanting in Spanish ]
00:53:21.133 --> 00:53:25.366
- It was like my brother
was, like, next to me.
00:53:25.466 --> 00:53:29.800
That gave me a lot of strength
to keep on going.
00:53:32.066 --> 00:53:36.333
I hope people remember
my brother by a great person...
00:53:38.066 --> 00:53:43.166
a person that died for workers.
00:53:43.266 --> 00:53:46.100
I want people to think of him
as a hero.
00:53:46.200 --> 00:53:46.233
♪♪
00:53:46.266 --> 00:53:54.266
[Chanting in Spanish]
00:54:39.833 --> 00:54:46.833
♪♪
00:54:46.933 --> 00:54:50.033
[Chanting continues]
00:54:50.133 --> 00:54:57.633
♪♪
00:54:57.733 --> 00:54:59.833
[Chanting continues]
00:54:59.933 --> 00:55:07.333
♪♪
00:55:07.433 --> 00:55:10.433
[Chanting continues]
00:55:10.533 --> 00:55:18.366
♪♪
00:55:18.466 --> 00:55:26.266
♪♪
00:55:26.366 --> 00:55:26.400
♪♪
00:55:26.433 --> 00:55:34.333
- This VOCES presentation of
\"Building the American Dream\"
00:55:38.333 --> 00:55:38.366
was made possible in part by...
00:55:38.400 --> 00:55:40.400
♪♪
00:56:16.600 --> 00:56:18.266
-Ready to watch the best of PBS,
00:56:18.366 --> 00:56:20.800
anytime, anywhere,
on nearly any device?
00:56:20.900 --> 00:56:23.533
It\'s easy
with the PBS Video app.
00:56:23.633 --> 00:56:25.366
Simply download
the PBS Video app
00:56:25.466 --> 00:56:27.466
on your mobile
or streaming device.
00:56:27.566 --> 00:56:29.866
Now you can watch
the latest PBS episodes
00:56:29.966 --> 00:56:31.733
or catch up
on the shows you missed.
00:56:31.833 --> 00:56:33.566
And when you support
your local station,
00:56:33.666 --> 00:56:35.300
you can get PBS Passport,
00:56:35.400 --> 00:56:38.400
giving you access
to more episodes, more specials,
00:56:38.500 --> 00:56:39.733
more of what you love.
00:56:39.833 --> 00:56:43.000
Get the PBS Video app now
and stream the best of PBS
00:56:43.100 --> 00:56:45.333
anytime you want,
anywhere you are.
