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 of Labor Radio) for their amazing partnership in bringing this radio series to life.
This story begins with injustice but ends with solidarity, strength, and dignity. After enduring wage theft, extortion, and other labor abuses, Juana and Francisco found their way to Workers Justice Wisconsin. With support and guidance, they and a group of Latine workers built Los Volcanes, a co-op specializing in custom screenprinting, embroidery, and alterations. Today, they are not just workers—they are their own employers.
“We started Los Volcanes because of a work issue with my wife. She was getting bounced checks,” Francisco said. “She went to Worker Justice to ask for help.”
He recalls how we [WJW] asked them: “Why don’t you do what your boss was doing? You know the work; you can do it.” And that’s how the idea for Los Volcanes came up.
To place an order with Los Volcanes, contact them at (608) 556-7086 or email info@volcanes.coop.
