Workplace Organizing
At Worker Justice Wisconsin, we educate workers on how to organize with their coworkers. All workers, regardless of immigration status, have the right to organize. This is the best tool workers have to achieve job security, good pay and benefits, respect, and a voice at work because it leverages their collective power over production. Your boss needs you.
On Labor Day, our staff and Board gathered at the worker center to celebrate the staff’s first OPEIU Local 39 contract with WJW. The decision to unionize, supported strongly by...
By Corey Moen Apr 9, 2024 MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Jeremy Kruk Tuesday for unlawful labor practices as it relates to his...
The Wisconsin Department of Justice has brought the case against Jeremy Kruk, said to be the founder of Crushin’ It Apparel and successor companies. By Christopher Ruvo | April 12,...
The bosses are organized.
The workers should be, too.
Workplace organizing is for ALL employees, but for low-income and/or immigrant employees especially, who want to unite with their coworkers to improve working conditions.
Low-wage workers
Most low-wage industries pay low wages because the workers aren’t organized. The more low-wage workers organize, the higher the standards are across the sector
Immigrant workers
Many employers seek out immigrant workers because they are unfamiliar with their right to organize and the local labor movement, making them easier to exploit.
Non-union workers
If you have a union, that’s fantastic! Organize within your union to keep growing the labor movement. Non-union workers who want to learn more should reach out to us.
Why Get Involved?
Want better pay and better hours? More benefits and more vacation? Justice? Respect? The best and ONLY way to do this in the United States is to organize our power as workers in the workplace. By organizing, we can turn bad jobs into good ones, and we can build an economy that works for everyone.
Learn your rights
We will teach you your basic workplace rights and how to organize your coworkers.
Make a plan
If you and your coworkers decide they want to organize, we will help you develop a strategy to do it.
Build community
Organizing is a form of community building where people united in righteous struggle work together toward concrete goals. This is hard emotional labor, and we are here to help walk you through it.
Nurture hope
If you’re tired of feeling hopeless at work, we will give you and your coworkers the tools and support you need to nurture collective hope.
Other ways of getting involved.
Join the Rapid Response Network
By joining the Rapid Response Network, you will receive alerts from WJW about direct actions such as protesting wage theft. The aim is to apply community pressure to employers who have violated their workers’ rights and to show solidarity with workers.
Register for a Group Grievance Session
If you believe that your employer has violated your rights as an employee, register for our biweekly Group Grievance Session. This is an opportunity to be in community with other workers and share your experiences, as well as learn about U.S. and Wisconsin employment law. If we suspect that there has been a violation, we will help you file a complaint with the relevant state agency.
Become a volunteer
If you’re looking to support the work that we do, reach out to us! Volunteers can help with the Group Grievance Session, door knocking for our wage theft campaign, and help give trainings throughout the community.