Save the Date!

ICWJ hosts Senator Russ Feingold

July 11th at 7pm

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The following reflection is written by one of our board members Pastor Marianne Cotter, from Trinity United Methodist Church, connecting worker justice and Easter.

“As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.  But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.  He has been raised; his is not here.”  Mark 16:5-6

On Saturday, March 10th, 2012 thousands rallied at the state Capitol in Madison for the 1^st year anniversary of the Wisconsin uprising.  One year ago, the world witnessed day after day of citizens protesting the threat to end collective bargaining rights of public sector workers. How proud I was of Wisconsin during that uprising!  It was so inspiring to see teachers, farmers, firefighters, carpenters, nurses’ aides, police officers, students, retirees, clergy and many others standing in support of the rights of all workers to help determine their working conditions.

Easter celebrates an ancient uprising of a different kind: the raising of Jesus from the grave.    For followers of Jesus Christ, this is an uprising of cosmic proportions. Easter celebrates that in raising Jesus from the dead, God defeated every enemy known to humankind. Christians believe that through faith in Christ,  all people can have victory over whatever threatens to destroy, degrade or demean them.

This is my Easter hope: that people of faith and goodwill everywhere will continue to believe that there are more good surprises in store for all of us.  We can all have hope because we have witnessed people coming together in solidarity to effectively challenge injustice here in Wisconsin.  May the “uprising” of Jesus Christ reminds all of us that nothing is impossible.  As people of all faiths working together, let us continue our commitment to solidarity with workers in Wisconsin throughout this Easter season.

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The following is a reflection written by Rabbi Joshua Ben-Gideon, from Beth Israel Center, connecting worker justice and Passover.

As we approach the Jewish holiday of Passover, it is appropriate to reflect upon the lessons of the holiday and what they might teach us in our own day.  When Moses seeks to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, he says to Pharaoh: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Let my people go that they may celebrate a festival for me in the wilderness.”  Ex. 5:1.  The Israelites worshiping God is said to be the reason for why they need to leave Egypt.  Interestingly, the first thing they do once they are free is not worship, but grumble about not having enough food and water.  Within God’s response to them, with manna and sweet water, God teaches them about Shabbat, the Sabbath.

The rabbinic imagination frames the Exodus with the introduction of the idea of Shabbat.  One of my favorite midrashim (rabbinic stories that adds depth to the Hebrew bible) tells a story about Moses going to his adopted father, Pharaoh, before he flees from his adopted home.  He makes the case to Pharaoh that the Israelite slaves would be more productive if they were given one day off per week (a Shabbat/Sabbath).  Pharaoh rejects this idea, and the rest of the story unfolds.  It would seem then that being properly sustained and being able to work with the dignity that a day of rest entails, is at least as important a reason for the Exodus as the Israelites going into the wilderness to worship God.

In our own day, may we each remember that good working conditions are at least equal to worship in defining our relationship with God.

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On April 3, Dane County voters will be asked, “Should all Wisconsin workers have the right to seek safe working conditions and fair pay through collective bargaining?” The Board of Directors of the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice of South Central Wisconsin (ICWJ) endorses this referendum.

ICWJ is a coalition of individuals, congregations and organizations concerned about worker justice as a moral issue. Since 1999, the group has advocated for the rights of workers to join unions and bargain collectively. According to ICWJ Director Rabbi Renee Bauer, “we have a responsibility, as moral leaders, to rise above partisan politics and speak for what is just.”

“Collective bargaining is a basic human right that ensures people’s human dignity is respected in the workplace,” said Rabbi Bauer. “All major religious traditions instruct us to treat workers justly. Most major faith groups have taken positions supporting the right of workers to join unions and bargain collectively.”

Information regarding faith and the rights of workers can be found at ICWJ’s website, www.workerjustice.org.

The referendum was submitted by Supervisor Dianne Hesselbein and passed by the Dane County Board in November 2011. Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said “Collective bargaining has been essential to the prosperity of Wisconsin families for decades. Our workers care for the sick and the dying, keep our communities safe, and help our children succeed. They deserve a seat at the table once more, and Dane County residents deserve to have their voices heard on this important issue.”

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Join the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice and First Unitarian Society for a showing of the film At the River I Stand. The showing will be on Sunday April 1st, 2012 from 4-6:30pm at First Unitarian Society in the Gaebler Living Room. First Unitarian Society is located at 900 University Bay Drive in Madison.

At the River I Stand is a documentary that recounts the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s role in advocating for their rights. This struggle continues to inspire many today in the fight for social justice. This event will be the first of upcoming educational offerings from ICWJ so stay tuned!

There will be a discussion to follow the film and light refreshments will be provided. To RSVP or for more information call the ICWJ office at (608)255-0376.

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Check out the reflection below on the connection between Lent and worker justice, written by Pastor Ron Adams of Madison Mennonite Church. For similar reflections on other holy days see the resources page!

In the gospel reading for the 4^th Sunday of Lent (John 3: 14-21), the author describes the coming of Jesus as light coming into the world. But, the author notes, not all welcomed that light. For some, the coming of the light was not good news at all. “For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.”

Much injustice is done in secret, hidden away in the dark. Sweatshop owners depend upon their ability to keep the exploitation of workers out of the public eye. Corporations count on the same when stealing labor from their employees by forcing them to work off the clock. Much evil is done under cover of secrecy.

Change can only come when unjust practices are brought out into the light and revealed for what they are. Only then can employers be held accountable. Only then can workers be protected from exploitation. It is only with the coming of the light that justice can be done.

As people of faith, we are called to be light-bringers. We are called to shine the light in otherwise dark places, and so reveal the truth of what goes on in secret. We are called to expose injustice and to insist that employers behave in ways which don’t require closed doors and dark corners. We are called to demand that workers be treated fairly, and that they receive a just and living wage.

As John writes: “Those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” As light-bringers, we not only serve those exploited in dark places. We also call unjust employers to “do what is true” and so offer a word of hope even to those whose works are done in darkness. We offer them an invitation to come out into the light.

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The Wisconsin State Journal published the article “In the Spirit: When politics, religion intersect” by Doug Erickson on February 19, 2012.

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The Wisconsin State Journal published “Ohio pastors say overturning collective bargaining limits worked because of union, faith leader partnership” by Doug Erickson on February 14, 2012.

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The Wisconsin State Journal published “Grass Roots: Faith communities work to broaden movement for worker justice” by Pat Schneider on February 14, 2012.

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