Dave McKenna

The Project

Dave (he/him/his) will advocate for safe and healthy workplaces for low-wage workers in Greater Boston through direct legal services, community education and outreach, and policy advocacy. 

No one should have to choose between losing income and protecting their health. But low-wage workers are often fired or get their hours cut for asserting their rights to paid sick leave or safe and healthy working conditions. They are pressured to skip doctors’ appointments for themselves and their children to avoid missing work. Some employers even contest eligibility for unemployment benefits where workers have refused to work in unsafe conditions. As a result, poor health outcomes and high unemployment are concentrated in the working-class neighborhoods that make our state run. 

Fellowship Plans

To support workers in accessing their rights, Dave will partner with community organizations to run a know-your-rights campaign for paid sick leave and safe working conditions. Dave will represent workers in retaliation, unemployment, and wage theft claims related to unsafe working conditions and paid sick leave. Finally, Dave will collaborate with worker centers on legislative advocacy to expand the right to paid sick leave to more workers and to expand enforcement by the state. 

Media