>> ON TONIGHT'S "SOCAL CONNECTED" -- >> NO BENEFITS TO SPEAK OF.

NO VACATION TYPICALLY.

NO RETIREMENT SECURITY.

THEY'RE REALLY FLOATING OUT THERE ON THEIR OWN.

>> IT'S ALREADY HAPPENING TO SOME PEOPLE.

>> SECURITY GUARDS, RETAIL, RESTAURANT, CHEF, BARTENDERS, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.

>> WELCOME TO THE FUTURE OF WORK.

>> YOU CAN BUILD YOUR OWN FUTURE WITH YOUR BARE HANDS.

>> AN AGENT OF CHANGE.

>> TEACH THEM HOW TO ADD VALUE, TO MAKING SOMETHING.

VAL: HELLO.

I'M VAL ZAVALA.

WE ARE WITNESSING THE RISE OF THE SUPERTEMP.

FREELANCERS AND PART-TIMERS, WAGES ARE OFTEN LOW WITH NO BENEFITS.

SO WHAT HAPPENS IF OR WHEN WE BECOME A NATION OF GIG WORKERS?

HERE'S OUR REPORT ON THE AND PA WAGES FUTURE OF WORK AND WHAT IT MAY MEAN FOR YOU.

>> I'VE BEEN WITHOUT A STEADY JOB FOR NOW FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS.

THE UNIVERSITY, GOT MY DEGREE, WENT TO PRIVATE SCHOOL, GOT A MASTERS, GOT A TEACHER'S CERTIFICATE.

AND AFTER ALL THESE YEARS HERE I AM DRIVING FOR LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE.

REPORTER: 56-YEAR-OLD REUBEN GONZALEZ WAS A TEACHER AT A LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> I THOUGHT I WOULD PICK SOMETHING UP RIGHT AWAY.

AND I WOULD BE RIGHT BACK AT IT.

REPORTER: HE USED TO BE MIDDLE CLASS.

>> THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH DRIVING FOR UBER.

BUT IT'S -- IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, THAT'S FINE.

OK.

I NEVER DID WANT TO DO THIS.

THE THOUGHT OF JUST PICKING UP STRANGERS AND -- GET SOME REST.

I APPLIED FOR A LOT OF JOBS.

AND A LOT OF JOBS ARE CONTRACTING.

AND COMMISSION.

AND GO THROUGH TRAINING AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE A FEW WEEKS.

I CAN'T AFFORD TO GO A FEW WEEKS.

I CAN'T AFFORD TO GO A FEW DAYS.

REPORTER: THIS IS THE FUTURE OF WORK FOR TENS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS.

IT'S THE RISE OF TO GO A THE GI .

>> THERE'S DEMPLET BEEN A TREND AND HAS ACCELERATED DRAMATICALLY IN THE LAST 10 YEARS OR SO TOWARD WHAT IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS CONTINGENT WORK.

REPORTER: CONTINGENT WORKERS, FREELANCERS, GIG WORKERS, TEMPS, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, CONSULTANTS, AND SOMETIMES EVEN ENTREPRENEURS.

FREELANCERS, GIG >> A LOT OF TIMES PRANTENURES ESSENTIALLY -- ENTREPRENEURS AND A LOW WAGE WORKER FOR A COMPANY AND SAVING US MONEY.

REPORTER: FROM COOKS TO FILM CREWS TO DOCTORS, FREELANCERS ARE EVERYWHERE.

>> WE ARE TALKING 34% EXPECTED TO RISE TO 43% BY THE END OF 2020.

WE DON'T SEE IT.

IT'S ALMOST INVISIBLE.

REPORTER: ACCORDING TO A 2016 PRINCETON STUDY, ALL OF THE NET JOB GROWTH FROM 2005 TO 2015 WAS IN THE CONTINGENT ECONOMY.

AMERICA IS BECOMING A NATION OF GIG WORKERS.

>> IT'S INTERESTING TO HEAR WHERE THE -- MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE THE WORD GIG.

IT'S MUSICIANS IN GIGS, PEOPLE WHO HAVE A ONE-NIGHT PERFORMANCE.

BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GIG ECONOMY EMPLOYEES.

LABORERS WHO ARE LOW PAID AND WHERE THE DEMANDS ARE HUGE.

>> IT'S THE -- THEY SHOW UP TO WORK FOR THE CHANCE TO WORK.

THEIR PAYCHECK IS FROM DAY TO DAY OR EVEN JOB TO JOB.

>> AND THERE'S NO SECURITY.

THERE'S NO -- THERE'S NO LONGEVITY.

THERE'S NO COMMITMENT TO THE WORKER.

>> I THINK IT'S COMPANIES TRYING TO SHIFT THE BURDEN OF ECONOMIC RISK TO WORKERS.

COMPANIES NO LONGER HAVE TO PROVIDE HEALTH BENEFITS.

THEY NO LONGER HAVE TO INVEST IN THAT INDIVIDUAL'S RETIREMENT.

THEY NO LONGER HAVE TO DO WHAT TRADITIONAL EMPLOYERS USED TO DO.

REPORTER: SO HOW DID WE GET HERE?

FOR STARTERS, UNION MEMBERSHIP HAS BEEN DECLINING FOR DECADES.

WAGES HAVE BEEN STAGNANT FOR 40 YEARS.

AND PENSIONS ARE DISAPPEARING.

>> IT USED TO BE IN THE 1950'S AND 1960'S A VERY SMALL FRACTION OF C.O.

COMPENSATION WAS BASED ON THEIR COMPANY'S SHARE PRICE.

NOW DEPENDING ON HOW YOU MEASURE IT, IT'S ANYWHERE FROM 50% TO 80%.

IN TURN, IT MAKES IT IN THEIR INTEREST TRY AND DRIVE UP THAT STOCK PRICE.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT IN THE SHORT TERM?

WHAT'S THE QUICKEST WAY TO MAKE YOUR COMPANY'S STOCK GO SNUP THE QUICKEST WAY IS TO CUT COSTS.

AND YOU BEGIN TO LOOK AT YOUR EMPLOYEES NOT AS ASSETS THAT YOU INVEST IN, YOU LOOK AT THEM AS COSTS.

AND YOU CUT THEM.

REPORTER: AND FOR THOSE YOU DO KEEP, YOU COSTS.

AND YOU BEGIN CONVERT THEM FROM EMPLOYEES TO INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

GONZALEZ PAYS ALL OF HIS COSTS.

GAS.

INSURANCE.

CAR REPAIRS.

PARKING TICKETS.

BECAUSE HE'S CLASSIFIED AS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR.

HE'S PAID AS IF HE'S A COMPANY, NOT AN EMPLOYEE.

COSTS THE BUSINESSES USUALLY PAY FOR AND NOW SHIFTING TO THE WORKER.

>> I'VE HEARD OTHER DRIVERS WHO ARE DRIVING AND THEY HIT POTHOLES AND THEIR AXLE WENT OUT.

THEY HAVE AD 700 -- $700.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE I WOULD GET $700 FROM AND NOT JUST THE COSTS OF REPLACING BUT THE TIME THAT THE CAR IS BEING REPAIRED, I'M LOSING MONEY THERE, TOO.

I HAVE TO REPAIR MY SUN VISOR.

FROM USING IT SO MUCH.

IT CAME OFF.

>> IF THEY ARE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, THEY REALLY HAVE NO BENEFITS TO SPEAK OF.

THEY HAVE NO VACATION TYPICALLY AND NO RETIREMENT SECURITY.

THEY DON'T HAVE EMPLOYER-PROVIDED HEALTH CARE TYPICALLY.

THEY'RE REALLY FLOATING OUT THERE ON THEIR OWN.

>> I DO THIS SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

THE ENTIRE MONTH.

I CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE ANY DAYS OFF.

REPORTER: NO SICK PAY, NO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, NO WORKERS COMPENSATION, NO SAFETY NETS.

>> THIS IS WHERE I'M AT NOW.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO ONCE MY KIDS GROW UP AND HOW I'M GOING TO SURVIVE WHEN I RETIRE OR HAVE TO MOVE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY.

BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.

>> EXTREMELY VULNERABLE POSITION FOR WORKERS TO BE IN.

BECAUSE NOW IF -- RETALIATED AGAINST FOR STANDING UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS THERE'S NO PROTECTION FOR IT.

IF THEY'RE INJURED ON THE JOB THERE'S NO PROTECTION FOR IT.

ALL OF THE COSTS, THE EXPENSE OF DOING THE WORK, FALLS ON THE WORKER.

>> I'M JUST ONE MAJOR CAR BREAKDOWN OR A HEALTH ISSUE AWAY FROM -- TO BEING COSTS, TH OF HOMELESS.

AND THAE THAT SCARES SCARES ME.

>> THESE WORKING PEOPLE THEY'RE NOT ENTITLED TO HEALTH INSURANCE AND THEY END UP GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM INSTEAD OF SEEING THE DOCTOR REGULARLY.

THEY DON'T GET ANY KIND OF EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT AND NO PAYROLL TAXES BEING PAID SO THE REST OF US PAY FOR THAT AND THE EMPLOYER IS GETTING LABOR ON THE CHEAP.

REPORTER: AND SOME COMPANIES ARE DOING IT ILLEGALLY.

ACCORDING TO STATE DATA, ANYWHERE FROM 10% TO 20% OF EMPLOYERS MISCLASSIFY THEIR WORKERS AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

IT'S WAGE THEFT AND SUE IS SEEING IT IN ALL KINDS OF PROFESSIONS.

>> WE'VE SEEN THIS IN SECURITY GUARDS, RETAIL, RESTAURANTS, CHEFS, BARTENDERS, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.

REPORTER: AND IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.

>> WE'RE BEING TREATED LIKE EMPLOYEES BUT WE ARE PAID AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

I'VE BEEN AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AS AN EXTRA, AS A WRITER, AS AN ACTOR, AS A STUNTMAN, AS A P.A., AS A STORY PRODUCER, AS A FIELD PRODUCER, AS D.G.A.

DIRECTOR, ALL OF THOSE JOBS YOU'RE AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR.

REPORTER: IN DECADES' PAST, LABOR UNIONS FOUGHT THESE BATTLES.

AND WITH FLAIR EROSION, WORKERS ARE INCREASINGLY ON THEIR OWN.

"THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER" RECENTLY PAID A MILLION DOLLARS TO SOME FORMER WRITERS WHO WERE CLASSIFIED AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

AND UBER DRIVERS IN SEVERAL STATES ARE SUING THE CORPORATION CLAIMING THEY SHOULD BE TREATED AS PLOY -- EMPLOYEES.

00 TRUCK DRIVERS AT THE PORT OF L.A.

HAVE MADE WAGE CLAIMS WITH SUE'S OFFICE SAYING THEY ARE MISCLASSIFIED.

>> IT TAKES DRIVERS UNTIL EACH WEEK THEY GET PAID EACH WEEK.

AND IT COULD TAKE THEM UNTIL WEDNESDAY OR EVEN THURSDAY BEFORE THEY EVEN BEGIN TO MAKE $100.

THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE THE COMPANY CHARGES THEM TO USE THE COMPANY TRUCK.

THEY CHARGE THEM TO MAINTAIN THE COMPANY TRUCK, TO BUY NEW TIRES.

THEY EVEN CHARGE THESE GUYS TO PARK THE COMPANY TRUCK AT THE COMPANY YARD OVERNIGHT.

THEY CAN'T EVEN TAKE IT HOME.

>> IN KIND OF CLASSIFICATION HAS LED TO AN EXTREME DESTABILIZATION OF MANY, MANY INDUSTRIES.

AND A FACT THAT THE ENTIRE WORK FORCE.

THIS MISCLASSIFICATION OF DRIVERS AT THE PORT IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW IT GOBBLES UP AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY.

ONCE EVERYONE STARTS DOING IT TO STAY COMPETITIVE, IT'S A RACE TO THE BOTTOM.

AND THE WORKERS AREN'T ALONE AT THE BOTTOM.

THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IS LOSING, TOO, ABOUT $7 BILLION A YEAR IN PAYROLL TAXES.

THAT MEANS THERE'S LESS MONEY BEING PAID INTO PROGRAMS LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICAID, PROGRAMS WORKERS ARE INCREASINGLY RELYING ON.

SO WHO'S WINNING?

TOPTAL, UP WORK, CODEMENTOR, COMPANIES WHO SPECIALIZE IN OUTSCORESING WORKERS.

IT CAN FEEL LIKE THE END OF LOYALTY.

>> THE SOCIAL CONTRACT HAS LARGELY GONE OUT THE WINDOW AND WITH THAT LOYALTY ON BOTH SIDES HAS GONE OUT THE WINDOW.

>> IT'S NOT THROUGH ANY FAULT OF THE WORKERS.

WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING RIGHT AND BEEN LOYAL TO THE COMPANY.

WE SHOWED UP ON TIME.

FOR MAINLY I WOULD THINK FOR FINANCIAL REASONS.

COST SAVINGS OR TRYING TO -- SHAREHOLDERS.

THE OPTIONS ARE BEING ELIMINATED.

IT'S SCARY.

NOT ONLY HAVE WE PULLED THE SECURITY RUG FROM UNDER EMPLOYEES, BUT WE HAVE BROKEN DOWN ANY SENSE OF SOLIDARITY WITH OTHER WORKERS.

THE UBER DRIVER IS PERHAPS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF THAT.

THEY DRIVE AROUND ALONE AND VERY LITTLE COMMUNICATION WITH OTHERS.

>> TURN LEFT ON TO -- >> IT IS A VERY LOCAL EXISTENCE.

MY SON HAS A DIFFICULT TIME BEING ALONE.

ESPECIALLY ON THE WEEKENDS.

SO IT'S DIFFICULT.

AND I MISS IT, TOO.

THERE ARE EVENTS WE DON'T GO TO AND A LOT OF THINGS -- WE USED TO HANG OUT A LOT DOWN BY THE PIERS OR JUST WALK AROUND AND GO TO EVENTS.

WE DON'T DO THAT ANYMORE.

AND HE MENTIONED THAT -- AND EVEN IF I DRIVE AND I GET OFF EARLY, IF I START ON THE WEEKENDS, AND EARLY IN THE MORNING, AT THIS TIME 5:30 OR 6:00, AND I'LL DRIVE UNTIL 2:00 OR 3:00, AND I GET HOME, IT'S -- I'M TIRED.

AND I GO TO BED EARLY BECAUSE I BED EARLY AND THOSE ARE THINGS THAT RAHALL MISS AND IT'S AFFECTING HIM.

THINGS COULD BE WORSE.

BUT YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW, MY ONLY CONCERN IS MY KIDS.

I DON'T EVEN CARE AT THIS POINT WHAT HAPPENS TO ME.

I'M JUST TRYING TO GET THEM TO ADULTHOOD.

REPORTER: IT'S BEEN YEARS SINCE HE HAD A JOB WITH HEALTH INSURANCE.

>> LAST TIME THAT I WENT TO A DENTIST, 11 OR 12 YEARS AGO.

THE LAST TIME I HAD A PHYSICAL WAS PROBABLY ABOUT, GOSH, SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS AGO.

I MEAN, IF I HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE OF A -- OF PAYING $100 OR SOMETHING, WHATEVER, TO GO SEE A DENTIST, I LOOK AT IT AS THAT'S A COUPLE PAIRS OF SHOES FOR MY KIDS.

AND SO I DEFER THE DENTIST.

A COMFORTING THING IS MY FAMILY IS VERY SUPPORTIVE.

AND WHEN WE COME UP WITH THE FUNDS THAT WE NEED, WE -- IT'S LIKE WE WANT TO -- THE SUPER BOWL OR START CHEERING AND YEAH, WE GOT IT, WE GOT ANOTHER MONTH.

AND WE COLLECT IT AND WE GET -- THERE'S A BIG SIGH.

AND THEN STARTS AGAIN THE NEXT DAY.

REPORTER: REUBEN'S WIFE JUST GOT A JOB AT A 7-ELEVEN.

>> FOR US, THIS IS -- HAS BEEN GOOD BECAUSE WHEN THINGS ARE OUTDATED AND THEY GET RID OF THEM, SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO BRING SOME SANDWICHES HOME AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND KIDS GET TIRED OF THEM.

BUT IT'S -- NOT HEALTHY SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE EAT BUT IT'S SOMETHING.

IT'S EITHER THAT OR GO HUNGRY.

SO OFTENTIMES WHAT I DO IS I'LL EAT THAT FOOD AND LEAVE EVERYTHING ELSE FOR THEM.

REPORTER: MILLIONS OF OTHER WORKERS ARE ALSO STRUGGLING.

AND THEIR JOB OPTIONS ARE SHRINKING.

>> THE TYPE OF JOBS THAT ARE LOST DURING THE GREAT RECESSION ARE JOBS THAT WILL NOT BE COMING BACK.

WE ARE JUST AS SOCIETY UNPREPARED.

WE ARE ALSO SEEING A DISINVESTMENT IN EDUCATION.

>> IN THIS COUNTRY TODAY, FEWER THAN HALF OF ALL ADULTS HAVE ANY KIND OF CREDENTIALS POST HIGH SCHOOL.

SO NOT A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE DEGREE, NOT A TWO-YEAR COLLEGE DEGREE.

THOSE ARE THE FOLKS BEING LEFT BEHIND.

REPORTER: DEGREE OR NOT WHAT WILL WORKERS DO AS THEIR JOBS ARE ELIMINATED BY TECHNOLOGY AND GLOBALIZATION?

>> WE NEED TO BEGIN TO TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE THE CONCEPT OF LIFELONG LEARNING.

THAT ONCE THEY'RE DONE WITH SCHOOL THAT LEARNING DOESN'T STOP.

IT CAN'T STOP.

THAT ALL OF US NEED TO REFRESH OUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE CONSTANTLY THROUGH OUR ENTIRE LIVES.

THAT IS WHAT OUR SOCIETY AND OUR ECONOMY IS GOING TO DEMAND IF YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE IT.

REPORTER: BUT THERE ARE MILLIONS OF REUBENS OUT THERE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

AND THEY'RE SCRAPING BY IN THE MIDST OF SOARING INEQUALITY.

>> WE HAVEN'T SEEN THIS KIND OF INCOME INEQUALITY IN AMERICA SINCE THE 1920'S BEFORE THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

WE ARE AT THOSE KINDS OF HEIGHTS NOW.

BUT A LOT OF THIS COMES DOWN AGAIN TO THAT EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT.

THAT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE.

>> THE INCOME THAT I'M MAKING, TO BE CONSIDERED A GOOD JOB IN MIDDLE CLASS, IT WOULD BE IF I WAS LIVING IN A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY.

BUT NOT HERE.

BECAUSE IT'S -- IT DON'T MAKE ENOUGH.

JUST VERY LOW PAY.

REPORTER: THE GIG IS TAKING ITS TOLL.

HE'S GAINING WEIGHT.

HIS LEGS AND BACK HURT FROM DRIVING SO MUCH.

BUT HE CAN'T STOP.

>> LIKE FOR THANKSGIVING, I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH, WE DIDN'T HAVE SOME OF THE THINGS FOR THE FOOD SO I HAD TO GET UP AT 5:00 IN THE MORNING TO DRIVE FIVE OR SIX HOURS SO WE COULD COMPLETE OUR MEAL.

REPORTER: AT THE END OF THIS DAY, REUBEN MAKES ABOUT $65 AFTER EXPENSES.

THAT WAS FOR ABOUT SEVEN HOURS OF DRIVING.

>> I'LL BE OUT REST OF THE WEEK, I'LL GO BACK OUT TOMORROW AGAIN.

AND HIT IT AGAIN AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING EACH DAY.

REPORTER: HE'S COMING HOME EARLY TOMORROW.

HE HAS TO PICK UP A SUIT FROM THE DRY CLEANERS.

HE'S GOT A JOB INTERVIEW FOR A POSITION HE'S BEEN EYEING FOR A YEAR.

>> I HAD MY HAIRCUT YESTERDAY.

AND I CAN'T GO TO A BARBER AND CAN'T AFFORD SO I SIT OUT HERE AND MY WIFE CHOPS IT OFF.

MY ONE SUIT THAT I HAVE, IF I CAN NAIL THE INTERVIEW, I MEAN, I'LL GET ANOTHER ONE LATER ON.

I JUST NEED ONE.

MY WIFE TOLD ME NOT TO MENTION IT TO THE KIDS.

BUT LET'S GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT OF EXCITEMENT.

IF I DON'T GET IT AT LEAST THEY WILL BE EXCITED FOR A WEEK OR TWO ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THAN NOT AT ALL.

SO THEY KNOW AND THEY'RE -- WE'RE ALL EAGER TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

BUT IT'S TOMORROW.

AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

REPORTER: TWO WEEKS LATER, REUBEN WAS INFORMED HE DID NOT GET THE JOB.

HE'S HOPING ANOTHER POSITION OPENS UP.

UNTIL THEN, HE'S BACK BEHIND THE WHEEL.

VAL: YOU'RE ABOUT TO MEET A BUSINESSMAN WHO HIRES LOW-SKILLED WORKERS.

WHY?

BECAUSE HE USED TO BE ONE HIMSELF.

HIS IS AN AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY THAT BEGAN IN MEXICO.

>> THERE'S SOMETHING VERY GENUINE WHEN YOU HAVE PRIDE IN WHAT YOU DO.

BECAUSE THEN THE VALUE THAT YOU CREATE HAS NO BOUNDARIES.

I'M AN ANGLINO.

-- ANGELINEO.

REPORTER: CISCO PINEDO THE LIVING EXAMPLE OF A SLOGAN -- >> HALF COOKED IN MEXICO AND FINALLY BAKED HERE IN L.A.

REPORTER: PINEDO IS THE FOUNDER AND C.E.O.

EXAMPLE OF OF CISCO A FURNITURE AND HOME DECOR COMPANY HE STARTED NEARLY 30 YEARS AGO IN HIS SOUTH CENTRAL GARAGE.

PINEDO'S CUSTOM MADE PIECES ARE NOT ONLY DESIGNED BY HIM, EVERY CHAIR, EVERY TABLE, ALL THE FIXTURES ARE HAND-MADE BY CRAFTSPEOPLE IN LOS ANGELES.

SOUTH CENTRAL TO BE EXACT.

PINEDO STARTED AS A FURNITURE -- UPHOLSTERY AT 14 AND TURNED A FURNITURE MAKING ON THE SIDE.

>> AND I WAS SELLING IT TO A DESIGNER AND THEN AFTER THAT, THE DESIGNER WAS SELLING TO BIG HOLLYWOOD STAR AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WORD WAS OUT THAT THERE WAS THIS AMAZING CRAFTSMAN IN SOUTH CENTRAL.

REPORTER: TOURISTS CONVERGED ON HIS MELROSE AVENUE STORE DAILY.

PINEDO'S SLOGAN IS ONE OF THE MOST INSTAGRAMMED ON WALLS IN L.A.

BUT THE REAL SHOWMANSHIP IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL LIKE RECYCLING EVERY TYPE OF MATERIAL THAT COMES HIS WAY.

>> THIS TEXTILES IN PARTICULAR ARE FROM GUATEMALA.

SO -- WOMEN'S SKIRTS AND -- >> OK.

>> WITH LITERALLY -- JUST TAKE SKIRTS FROM THEM.

REPORTER: PINEDO'S LATIN HERITAGE IS WOVEN INTO MANY OF HIS PIECES.

COMING FROM MEXICO, WITH HIS MIGRANT FURTHER WORKER IN THE 1970'S PINEDO SAID HE WAS UNTKOUNTED AND ALWAYS -- UNDOCUMENTED AND ALWAYS WELCOMED BY THE FARM FAMILIES THAT HIRED HIM.

WHEN THE FAMILY MOVED TO SOUTH CENTRAL A CULTURE SHOCK.

>> CONFLICTS BETWEEN MEXICANS AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

SO MY MOM DIDN'T WANT ME TO BE IN THE STREETS TOO MUCH.

SO SHE SAID YOU HAVE TO FIND A PART-TIME JOB OR SOMETHING.

REPORTER: SHE PUT YOU TO WORK.

>> PUT ME TO WORK.

I FOUND THIS LITTLE FURNITURE SHOP.

AND I KIND OF FELL IN LOVE WITH THE -- WITH THE CRAFT RIGHT OUT OF THE BAT.

IT'S JUST -- IT WAS SOMETHING VERY MAGICAL MAKING SOMETHING WITH YOUR BARE HANDS.

REPORTER: WE VISITED THE SOUTH CENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE PINEDO GREW UP AND WHERE HE NOW HE PLOYS THE VARIOUS CRAFTSPEOPLE WHO MAKE HIS PRODUCTS FRFMENT GLASS BLOW -- PRODUCTS.

FROM GLASS BLOWERS TO CARPENTERS TO METAL WORKERS TO UPHOLSTERS.

>> HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO REMAIN IN SOUTH CENTRAL?

>> YOU KNOW,-THE-PART OF WHO I AM.

I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN CHANGE THAT.

JUST -- I TELL PEOPLE SLEEP IN PASADENA AND LIVE IN SOUTH CENTRAL.

REPORTER: ASPIRED TO HAVE MORE IN LIFE AND TAUGHT SKILLS AND GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO NOT SIMPLY LABOR BUT CREATE CAREERS.

IN UPHOLSTERY PRODUCTION JOSE GOODWILL VESS WENT -- GAL VESS WENT FROM NOT SWEEPING FLOORS T MANAGING PEOPLE.

>> HOW MANY -- WERE UNSKILLED AND NOW WORKING ON MACHINES?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

PROBABLY 60% OR 70%.

REPORTER: MOST OF THEM.

>> YEAH.

MY HOPE IS THAT WE CAN INSPIRE PEOPLE TO BECOME SELF-SUSTAINED IN THEIR OWN LIFE WITH THEIR OWN MEANS.

BUT WE END UP WITH AMAZING PEOPLE.

THEY END UP IN BUILDING GREAT CAREERS.

REPORTER: PINEDO SAYS THAT'S HIS LIFE'S MISSION.

AND HE EMBODIES IT.

HARD WORK, COUPLED WITH IMAGINATION TO CRAFT IN LIFE.

HOW HE CRAFTS EVERY MAOU COLLECTION AS WELL -- NEW COLLECTION AS WELL.

>> WE START MOLDING WHAT MY VISION IS ON THE NEW DESIGN.

AND THEN WE TAKE IT TO THE DESIGN TEAM ONCE IT'S FINISHED.

REPORTER: SO YOU MAIK HAND MAKE A PROTOTYPE YOURSELF AND GIVE IT TO A DESIGN TEAM TO DIGITIZE IT -- >> AND RECORD IT AND IN OUR FILES AND TO BE ABLE TO USE THAT INFORMATION FOR THE REST OF THE TEAM.

IT'S TOTALLY BACKWARD.

REPORTER: IN THE METAL SHOP THAT MAKES LAMPS, MIRRORS, AND TABLE FRAMES FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS, INSPIRATION COMES FROM ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING.

>> DRYERS.

>> DRYERS, YEAH.

AND WE MAKE LIGHTS OUT OF THEM.

SO LITERALLY PEOPLE -- SHOWS UP AND SOMETIMES IT COMES IN A TRUCK AND WE NEED TO GET RID OF THIS AND TAKE IT TO THE DUMPSTER.

AND WE ARE THE STOP BEFORE THEY GO TO THE DUMPSTER.

REPORTER: SO WHERE ELSE DO YOU SOURCE ALL YOUR STUFF?

>> CONSTRUCTION SITES, PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING THE DEMOLITION.

MOVIE SETS.

REPORTER: EVEN IF THAT RAW MATERIAL TAKES THE FORM OF A GIANT CHILI PEPPER.

>> LITERALLY ONE DAY WE SHOW UP IN THE MORNING AND A LITTLE LEFT BY THE GATE.

SOMEBODY JUST LEFT IT THERE.

AND I STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

SO DON'T ASK ME.

REPORTER: OK.

BUT THERE'S A PLAN SOMEWHERE -- >> OH, WE WILL COME UP WITH SOMETHING.

MAYBE WE OPEN A TACO TRUCK AND PUT IT ON TOP OF IT.

REPORTER: I LOVE IT ALREADY, MAN.

LIKE OTHERS, PINEDO HAS MOVED INTO ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

THE MALINGTE SHOP IS -- METAL SHOP IS OWNED BY PINEDO'S FORMER MAINTENANCE WORKER.

>> HE TOLD ME HE WANTED TO BE ON MY OWN.

AND HE WAS -- GIVING ME THE CHANCE TO BE ON MY OWN.

AND I WAS WAITING FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY.

AND HERE WE ARE.

REPORTER: YOU CAME HERE AS AN UNDOCUMENTED WORKER YOURSELF.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO -- FOR OTHERS TO GET INTO ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

>> IF I CAN DO IT ANYBODY ELSE CAN DO IT.

WE DON'T HAVE TO BE LIKE -- ON -- LIKE ASKING FOR MONEY.

WE CAME TO WORK.

WE -- AND BE WORKING, I THINK WE CAN GET RESULTS.

WE ARE TRYING TO PREPARE THEM.

LIKE -- AND TO -- REPORTER: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR ROLE IN PROVIDING THESE KINDS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO IMMIGRANTS?

>> WELL, I FEEL LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY WAS GIVEN TO ME.

SO TO ME IT COMES VERY NATURAL.

I FEEL WE ALL DESERVE THAT AND WE ALL SHOULD HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY SO I DON'T -- IT'S NOT THAT I TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.

BUT I FEEL LIKE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

REPORTER: GIVING BACK FOR PINEDO HAS EXTENDED BEYOND HIS FACTORY.

HE CO-FOUNDED A FOUNDATION THAT TEACHES EX-FELONS IN BROOKLYN THROUGH PRANTE NEWER AND MAKING RECLAIMED FURNITURE AND STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESSES.

>> THE WHOLE POINT TO TEACH THEM HOW TO ADD VALUE.

TO MAKING SOMETHING.

AND I THINK I HAVE PUT MAYBE 11 OR 12 PEOPLE THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND THEY EMPLOY ABOUT 120 PEOPLE.

REPORTER: PINEDO STARTED A FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS AND SUPPORT TO LATINO STUDENTS AND THE STATUS OF DREAMERS AND THE EXPIRATION OF DACA HAS MADE HIM AN ACTIVIST.

AS A HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT WHO CAME HERE UNDOCUMENTED, THESE KIDS BRING OUT THE FIGHTER IN HIM.

>> PEOPLE COMING OUT OF MEXICO AND LATIN AMERICA, THE SITUATION AND THOSE COUNTRIES IS SO HORRIFIC.

THAT THE END OF THE DAY, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DO WHATEVER THEY NEED TO DO FOR WHAT THE BEST FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

AND IF YOU'RE IN HORRIFIC.

THAT THE END THEIR SHOES, BEING ILLEGAL IN THIS COUNTRY, NOT A BAD PLACE TO BE.

IF YOU COMPARE IT TO THE PLACE THAT YOU COME FROM.

REPORTER: DO YOU THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE FOLLOWING THE LAW IF THEY DON'T HAVE A VISA THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED IN?

>> OF COURSE THEY SHOULD BE FOLLOWING THE LAW.

BUT THEIR SITUATION AND THIS COUNTRY IS SO BAD THAT THEY WOULD RATHER SURVIVE AND THEY WOULD RATHER PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE OF THEIR KIDS.

AND TAKE THAT -- REPORTER: IS ENTREPRENEURSHIP A WAY OUT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK IT'S A TICKET TO EVERYTHING.

FOOD ON THE TABLE OF THEIR YOU CAN DENY SOMEONE BEING LEGAL.

AND YOU CAN DENY SOMEONE, YOU KNOW, KEEPING THEM -- FOOD OR HELPING THE HOMELESS ON THE STREET.

BUT WHEN YOU CREATE A CRAFT FOR YOURSELF, NOBODY CAN TAKE THAT AWAY FROM YOU.

AND YOU CAN TAKE THAT ANYWHERE.

YOU CAN BUILD YOUR OWN FUTURE WITH YOUR BARE HANDS.

REPORTER:IC MAUK YOUR OWN -- YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN FUTURE.

>> YEAH.

AND I THINK THAT'S -- THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING.

VAL: AND THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.

DON'T FORGET YOU CAN SEE ALL OF OUR STORIES ONLINE AT OUR WEBSITE.

SOCALCONNECTED.ORG.

I'M VAL ZAVALA.

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