News & Events
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Construction Safety Trainings at the Consulate of Mexico in Milwaukee
It should come as no surprise that construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the United States, and workers who are new to this country often come without knowledge of the various rules that govern workplace safety. To make matters worse, employers often fail to provide adequate training,
Educating Families at East High School in Madison
On November 6, members of the Madison teachers union (MTI) invited Worker Justice Wisconsin to set up an information booth during parent-teacher conferences. Our organizers spoke in Spanish with parents coming in and out of conferences about their rights and issues at work. We met fast food workers, restaurant workers,
Hilton Monona Terrace Solidarity Picket
On October 25, Worker Justice Wisconsin members, staff, and community allies picketed in solidarity with the Hilton Monona Terrace employees in downtown Madison who are bargaining their first contract after unionizing in August. Over thirty people spent their Saturday morning marching up and down E Wilson St, chanting in English,
When Work Doesn’t Pay: The Human Cost of Wage Theft
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,
Insights from the MadWorC Regional Rendezvous
This past month, cleaning cooperative members Mirta and Maria attended the MadWorC Regional Rendezvous, a conference that brings together worker cooperatives from across the Midwest to share experiences, lessons, and skills.Highlights included learning about Isthmus Engineering’s tour of Costa Rican cooperatives, where renewable energy and carbon-neutral milestones are central to
Schedule a Know Your Rights Training
In September, David Ortiz-Whittingham, our Construction Organizer, presented at the annual conference of the Wisconsin Building Trades Council, the association representing Wisconsin’s construction trade unions. Alongside Gita Connolly, attorney at the UW-Madison Law School Immigrant Justice Clinic, David spoke to the approximately 100 attendees, primarily union representatives and staff, on
Fighting Wage Theft in Our Communities
As part of our campaign to combat wage theft in Wisconsin, we have intensified our efforts to educate workers directly in their communities. One of the key new tactics has been surveying workers, asking them two simple questions: Do you know how to read your pay stub? Have you ever
Co-op Legislation Advances in Wisconsin AND New Spanish Co-op Guide
On April 15th, Frida Ballard attended the Committee on Ways and Means to listen in and show support for Assembly Bill 17. This bill would provide tax credits to businesses that choose to convert into worker cooperatives or Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Specifically, it would cover 70% of the
Victory for Crescencio!
After almost one year of waiting, Crescencio recuperated $6,875 owed to him for unpaid overtime. This victory was possible thanks to his bravery and the support of the community, who marched on his former employer to demand payment immediately. In less than one month after the march, he received the
Wage Theft is Real–And We Went to the Capitol to Say It!
In June, brave workers shared their stories with Wisconsin’s legislators. With the support of Worker Justice Wisconsin, we raised our voices to show that wage theft is not a myth – it’s a daily injustice affecting many workers. It was an important step: we educated the people who make our
Wisconsin Examiner: Advocacy Group Turns Up The Spotlight On Wage Theft
By: Erik Gunn – April 7, 2025 A Wisconsin group that helps workers who have experienced wage theft is broadening its tactics to address complaints of employer misconduct. On Friday staff members of Worker Justice Wisconsin, along with a group of community supporters, showed up at a Middleton contractor’s office where a
Worker Testimony Video: WHEDA
Watch video On March 25, 10 construction workers who worked on the Yellowstone Apartments, at 426 South Yellowstone Drive in Madison, came to Worker Justice Wisconsin alleging that their employer owed them nearly $15,000 in unpaid wages. Shortly after, an additional 6 workers from the same site, which received $1,400,000