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Cap Times: Madison-Area Screen Printing Boss Owes More Than $8K in Unpaid Wages
By Natalie Yahr Dec 12, 2024 The owner of a Dane County screen printing company must pay more than $8,000 in back wages to former employees, according to a court settlement negotiated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. The deal, approved Dec. 10 by the state Legislature’s budget committee, settles
Faith Labor Breakfast 2024: Rep. Francesca Hong
Rep. Francesca Hong inspired attendees at the Annual Faith Labor Breakfast 2024, highlighting the importance of solidarity, inclusivity, and community power in the growing labor movement. “Choosing hope in these times is most courageous,” she said, urging everyone to continue their fight for justice and representation.
Faith Labor Breakfast 2024: Marlon Velásquez
We’re reminiscing on Marlon Velásquez’s powerful journey from Nicaragua to Wisconsin, and how he fought for justice and fair wages with the support of Worker Justice Wisconsin. His story is a testament to the strength and resilience of our community and a reminder that every worker deserves their rights, regardless
Worker Testimony Video: El Chisme
We have trained hundreds of low-wage workers about cooperatives, and in October 2023, we helped launch the El Chisme food cart—an event attended by over 150 people. To understand what’s at stake, hear from Guadalupe Gomez and Rebecca Gomez Estrada, co-owners of El Chisme, on how Worker Justice Wisconsin helped
Worker Testimony Video: Alejandra Perez
Worker Justice Wisconsin empowers workers to come together, exercise their collective power, and stand up for their rights. Alejandra Perez was wrongly fired from the hotel where she was employed, and several of her co-workers resigned in protest. Then they came to Worker Justice Wisconsin to understand their rights. //
Worker Testimony Video: Marlon Velásquez at the State of Construction
“To workers like me I want to say: your immigration status doesn’t matter! Everyone has labor rights! Americans, immigrants with or without a work permit, we are human beings, and we have to defend our rights together!” These are the powerful words that Marlon Velázquez, a construction worker who organized
Worker Testimony Video: LNR Services Construction Workers
In the United States, wage theft is the most common form of theft, and Hispanic workers are often the victims of this practice by employers. Agustín, Enzo, and Makalister were owed $36,000 by LNR Services, a landscaping company in Richland Center, WI. They went three months without receiving a single
New WORT FM Series: Episode 2—”Voices of Resilience & Dignity: The Birth of Los Volcanes Cooperative”
We’re thrilled to share our second episode in collaboration with WORT FM: The Birth of Los Volcanes Cooperative. Listen to the story here. We’d like to thank WORT, and in particular Carlos Dávalos (Spanish Language Programming Fellow), Chali Pittman (News and Public Affairs Director) and the late Frank Emspak (co-founder
New WORT FM Series: Episode 1—”They Expected A Welcome. They Got Wage Theft Instead.”
We’re proud to share the first in a series of interviews produced in collaboration with WORT FM, featuring workers who are fighting to recover unpaid wages. This is part of our ongoing effort to bring attention to wage theft and generate public pressure to criminalize this exploitative practice. This month,
Meet WJW’s Faith Outreach Coordinator: Mary Munyutu
My name is Mary Munyutu, and I have recently taken on the role of part-time Faith Outreach Coordinator at Worker Justice Wisconsin. In this capacity, my work focuses on enhancing our engagement with faith communities to support worker rights and advocacy. I am responsible for connecting with various faith communities
Cap Times: After Sudden Closure, Madison Screen Printers Start Their Own Shop
By Natalie Yahr Oct 9, 2024 Immediately after workers at Madison screen printing company Crushin’ It Apparel voted unanimously to be represented by a union, their boss announced he’d shut down that part of the business. For Juana Montes and her nephew, Leonel Aguilar, the closure cost them their jobs. But
¿Por qué debes pensar en desarrollar una cooperativa? / Why Develop a Co-Op?
English text below Montar una empresa puede ser una experiencia liberadora para los trabajadores que no quieren estar sometidos por un jefe. Sin embargo, hay barreras altas que dificultan la fundación de una empresa por los inmigrantes; barreras como la falta de recursos económicos, el idioma y el sacrificio personal