When Christian’s father, Angel, died in a work-related accident in 2004, Christian’s life took an unexpected turn. Christian, 29, and his family still don’t know the exact details of the accident, which happened while his father, an independent construction worker, was working inside a small warehouse in Austin, Texas.

Determined to spare other families similar pain, Christian got involved with the Workers Defense Project (WDP), which, since 2008, has teamed up with the Texas State Building and Construction Trades Council to improve conditions in the industry across the state. The partnership is showing the potential of the new workers’ rights movement and helping shape a fresh model for labor and community collaboration.

“Through WDP, I learned that deadly work accidents happen all the time,” Christian says. “I learned that not only do they [WDP] help workers get paid what they’re owed, they inform workers about accidents and workplace safety.”

Christian was recently recognized as WDP’s member of the year. He also recently graduated from a Laborers union training program, intending to continue organizing construction workers and ensuring safe work environments for them.

The AFL-CIO has formed partnerships similar to the WDP-Trades Council alliance with several worker centers, which are able to affiliate with state and local AFL-CIO labor councils.