Worker Justice

News & Events

We encourage entries from workers, faith leaders, allies, union members–anyone!
Contact us if you’d like to contribute to our blog.
For Workers

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

Read More »
For Allies

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

Read More »
In the News

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

Read More »
For Allies

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

Read More »
For Allies

Reintroducing the Economic Bill of Rights to Protect Workers

Last week, WJW Construction Organizer, David Ortiz Whittingham spoke at the Wisconsin State Capitol to help reintroduce the Economic Bill of Rights. David joined legislators and social justice organizations in calling for stronger protections for workers. The resolution includes ensuring a living wage, funding public education, and protecting the environment.

Read More »
For Allies

Introducing WJW’s Construction Organizer: David

Another key figure targeting wage theft as part of his work is David Ortiz Whittingham, who recently joined Worker Justice Wisconsin as the Construction Organizer. David grew up in the Madison area before attending Tufts University, where he became involved in labor organizing. As a member of a student organization supporting the

Read More »
For Allies

Protecting Against ICE: Trainings and Flyers

WJW Program Director Robert Christl and SCFL Organizer Issy Bilek are leading the Immigration and Labor Working Group to ensure unions are prepared to confront the anti-immigration rhetoric and policies of the current administration. If you’d like to learn more about the Labor Working Group, you can reach out to

Read More »
For Allies

WJW Featured on En Nuestro Patio on WORT FM

El 7 de enero, nuestro Director de programas Robert Christl participó en el programa de radio En Nuestro Patio de WORT FM. La discusión se centró en cómo los trabajadores inmigrantes pueden seguir organizando sus lugares de trabajo bajo la nueva administración presidencial. Escuchen el programa para aprender algunos datos

Read More »
For Allies

Meet Socorro Cortez: Leading the Wage Theft Campaign

My name is Socorro Cortez, and I lead the wage theft campaign at Worker Justice Wisconsin. From a young age, I witnessed how the labor movement defined the lives of my family. I grew up in a home deeply committed to unionism, where in the 1970’s my father and aunt were staff

Read More »