Worker Justice Wisconsin is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We formed in 2018 in a merger of the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice of South Central Wisconsin, Inc., and Worker’s Rights Center of Madison, Inc.
(Institutional affiliations listed for purposes of identification only.)
Officers:
President: Mary Bell, Wisconsin Education Association Council (past president) My reason for supporting Worker Justice Wisconsin? Unions, workers and faith communities hold sacred the fair treatment of those who labor. Worker Justice Wisconsin brings these groups together so that we may speak openly, advocate fully, and progress farther on the path to honoring and achieving fair treatment, fair wages, and a voice in the workplace for all laborers.
Vice-President: Jim Cavanaugh, South Central Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO (past president)
Treasurer: Jeff Mehrhoff, Painters District Council 7
Secretary: Paulette Harder, Lake Edge United Church of Christ
As a representative of the faith community I am committed to the social gospel. I am proud to be part of worker justice issues such as Fight for $15 and economic justice for restaurant workers through the Just Dining Guide. I am impressed with the commitment to worker justice of the Worker Justice Wisconsin board and staff and pleased with the energy that everyone brings to this important issue.
Directors:
Dave Goodspeed, SMART Local 565, South Central Federation of Labor, AFL_CIO
Rev. Kristin Gorton, Memorial United Church of Christ & UCC Economic
Victoria Gutierrez, SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin
Kurt Kobelt, Arellano & Phebus Law Firm As a labor lawyer who has represented unions and victims of discrimination for over 35 years and as a Unitarian-Universalist, I believe both the labor movement and the progressive faith community can grow stronger together by working in coalitions such as this one.
Alexia Kulwiec UW-Extension School for Workers
Matt Robles, Hawks Quindel, S.C.
Carolina Sarmiento, UW-Madison School of Human Ecology
Charity Schmidt, MCDC
Scott Watson, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
Faith Advisory Board
Rev. Peder Johanson, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, ELCA – Brodhead As a follower of Jesus and a minister of the church (Lutheran – ELCA), working for justice is not a choice but a call. Participating with Worker Justice Wisconsin has been a great way to connect with sisters and brothers who share in this call (across religions and cultures) to walk with, support, and uphold the rights and dignity of workers in our communities.
Sister Maureen McDonnell, O.P., Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa
“I’m a Catholic Dominican Sister, so that makes it important to me to be committed to Catholic Social Teaching in general and to worker justice in particular. All humans are to be treated with dignity and respect and have the right to a living wage and good working conditions. One way to achieve this is to work on policy as well as direct action, which we combine in Worker Justice Wisconsin. I also love the interfaith aspect of our work.”