ONA Hires New Directors of Labor and Organizing

Following a nationwide search, we are pleased to announce the hiring of Martí Garza as ONA’s new Director of Labor and Annabel Torres as our new Director of Organizing and Labor Education. They both start in their new positions in March.

Martí has more than a decade of experience as a lead organizer, strategic campaigner and contract negotiator. He has helped develop and lead successful staff teams and empowered workers at unions including the National Education Association, Service Employees International Union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the National Union of Health Care Workers. Throughout his career, Martí has crafted and led comprehensive campaigns for economic justice with union members in health care and education—including organizing workers in behavioral health care centers. He has recruited and developed member leaders, and overseen labor representatives, organizers and members in long-term strategic contract campaigns.

In addition to leading many of ONA’s largest external organizing campaigns, Annabel has been an essential champion for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work at ONA. Our Board of Directors formed a subcommittee after hearing a presentation from Annabel and helped leaders craft the racial equity and inclusion resolution which passed the ONA House of Delegates in 2018. In addition to leading our organizing team, Annabel will also oversee the development of our new Cabinet on Organizing and develop ONA’s new Labor Education program.

"I couldn't be more pleased to be bringing Annabel and Marti on to ONA’s Executive Leadership team. I look forward to working with them to build their departments and support them as they develop relationships with staff and members. Their experience will help us move forward the vision and mission of ONA. 

Both of their expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion will be welcome additions as ONA joins the ranks of labor, community and political allies confronting the racial inequities in our healthcare system that have been so starkly revealed by the pandemic, as well as helping us build new awareness and skills within ONA. ONA will be stronger in the fight for nurses' rights and healthcare justice with Annabel and Marti on board.”- Sarah Laslett, ONA Executive Director