This month, Worker Justice Wisconsin wants to spotlight José, a restaurant worker whom the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) determined is owed more than $27,000 in unpaid wages by his former employer, Taco Madre.
José shared how this loss deeply affected his life — falling behind on rent, accumulating debt, and facing moments of distress while trying to support his family. His story reminds us that wage theft is not only an economic issue; it is an injustice that strips workers of dignity and stability.
As allies, we are called to recognize how race and immigration status make some workers more vulnerable to power imbalances in the workplace and to stand beside them in their fight for justice and fairness in every workplace. At Worker Justice Wisconsin, we continue to accompany workers like José so they can recover what belongs to them, and we invite you to join our Rapid Response Network, so together we can act when a worker faces wage theft or retaliation.