Working Partnerships USA (WPUSA) is an independently funded social change organization founded by labor and community groups that equips everyday people to participate and win in developing a fair and free society. Since its founding in 1995, WPUSA has tackled issues directly affecting working people and their families by building their capacity and ability to effectively represent their own interests and by helping them create alliances and partnerships that magnify the voice and impact of their movement. Our accomplishments include:

 Access to Quality Healthcare | Read More

• Healthy Workers – Developed a new model for providing affordable health insurance to uninsured adults working for small businesses in Santa Clara County, which was launched in 2010.
• Children’s Health Initiative – Pioneered a program in 2001, which now provides health coverage to more than 121,000 Santa Clara County children and has been replicated in seventeen counties. 

Good Jobs and Fair Wages | Read More

• San Jose Living Wage Ordinance – Led the campaign for a 2008 San Jose ordinance to expand living wage requirements and labor peace to more than 7,600 workers.
• Team San Jose – Launched a public/private partnership in 2004 to manage the San Jose's convention and cultural facilities, restore their financial viability and preserve high-quality jobs.

Government Accountability and Reform | Read More

• Increased Affordable Housing – Led a successful fight for increased affordable housing funding.
• Community Budget Working Group  – Led the 2008 effort to create San Jose’s first Community Budget Working Group, which opened a closed City budget process to engage citizens in solving the City’s budget problems while maintaining vital services.
• City of San Jose’s Competition Policy – Shaped the San Jose policy to safeguard against negative impacts on city service quality in 2009.
• Limiting Negative Impacts of Big Box Stores – Led a successful community effort to propose and advocate a new Santa Clara City ordinance to limit the building of ‘Big Box’ stores within city limits.
• Expanded Public Transportation – Spearheaded the creation of the RIDE Task Force, a first-of-its kind committee that gives community groups an institutional voice in transit policy, advocated the expansion of the Santa Clara County Light Rail system to San Jose’s East Side, and staved off cuts to bus service.

Empowering Leaders | Read More

• LeaderNet – Created a leadership-training institute that has increased the skills and networks of more than 300 community and elected leaders.
• The Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice – Convenes South Bay clergy and laity to foster a progressive faith-based voice.
• Life in the Valley Economy – Working Partnerships USA's annual economic report, known as the LIVE Report, which evaluates the state of working families in Silicon Valley.