WHO THIS CAMPAIGN IS FIGHTING FOR
New Orleans runs on the labor of workers who are too often treated as disposable. Temp workers, gig workers, seasonal workers, day laborers, and people piecing together multiple jobs keep our economy moving while facing unstable employment, low wages, unsafe conditions, and few protections.
We Are Not Disposable brings precarious workers together to challenge a system that profits from instability. Through organizing, worker education, and campaigns for change, we are building power for workers to demand fair pay, safer conditions, and a future where every person who keeps our city running is valued and protected.
This campaign centers:
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Temp workers
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Gig workers
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Seasonal workers
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Festival and event workers
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Day laborers
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Workers juggling multiple jobs
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Any workers experiencing instability
Workers Deserve:
Predictable
Work
Workers shouldn't have to wait hours for a shift or wonder if they'll have work tomorrow.
Prompt
Pay
Every worker deserves to be paid accurately and on time for every hour they work.
Safe
Conditions
No job should come at the expense of a worker's health or safety.
Permanent Opportunities
Temporary work should not mean endless uncertainty, but create pathways to stable, long-term employment.
Power Beyond the Next Shift
Workers deserve a voice in shaping the conditions of their work, not just surviving one job at a time.
2026 WINS
The Workers’ Center spent much of Mardi Gras 2026 providing workers with what the city wouldn’t: food, water and protective equipment. Through focus groups and collective action, workers won some improvements - including the release of delayed paychecks - and began building a stronger voice to shape the Mardi Gras clean-up going forward.
For 2027, we’re demanding more.
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WAGES UPDATED ACCORDING TO THE LIVING WAGE ORDINANCE
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OVERTIME PAY
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TIMELY PAYCHECKS ACCORDING TO LOUISIANA LAW
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PAID ORIENTATION TIME
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PROPER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
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IMPROVED ROUTE MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION
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FAIR HIRING PRACTICES
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SAFE TRANSPORTATION FOR WORKERS
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TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR JOB1 AND RAMELLI
Mardi Gras Clean-up Workers
We Are Not Disposable
Ever wondered who is responsible for cleaning our streets after major Mardi Gras parades? The Mardi Gras clean-up workers are essential to the city, but they are denied fair and timely pay, face dangerous working conditions without adequate protection, and are generally treated as disposable.
