| From a Worker Justice Wisconsin October 27, 2025 Email: This year, Worker Justice Wisconsin began incubating a new worker cooperative focused on commercial cleaning services. We’re in the beginning stages, building the cooperative’s values and helping workers take ownership of an industry that has seen over $80,000 in stolen wages from nearly 200 Madison-area workers in the last five years. Who better to lead this change than the workers themselves? We’re also exploring other co-op possibilities, including a purchasing cooperative for food stand owners and a childcare cooperative, which could take this model beyond Madison. What makes this work truly inspiring is seeing the ripple effect of co-ops into families and communities. Members of past co-ops, like Los Volcanes, continue to participate in WJW events and even bring their children along. Their kids are learning about solidarity, civic engagement, and the power of working together — values that extend far beyond the workplace. Worker co-ops matter because they give people control over their work, build fair wages and benefits into everyday operations, and create businesses that last. In traditional models, decisions are often made far from the communities they affect, meaning wealth and stability leave the city as quickly as it arrives. Co-ops change that. When workers are owners, they have a voice in every decision, from day-to-day operations to long-term strategy, which helps keep businesses rooted in the community, more resilient during economic downturns, and more committed to their workers. Many immigrant workers are drawn to co-ops because they want to reclaim control over their work and fight exploitation, but building a business in the U.S. is not easy. Workers face challenges navigating regulations, financing, and the differences between U.S. business systems and those in their home countries. Our cooperative incubation program helps demystify these challenges, providing education, mentorship, and a safe space to ask all the questions that come with ownership. |
| Looking ahead, we see big opportunities for worker ownership in industries that care for our most vulnerable yet often exploit their workers — childcare, home care, veterinary care, assisted living, and funeral services. These sectors are often dominated by national corporations whose profits leave the community. Worker co-ops offer an alternative: businesses that grow with the community, benefit workers, and keep wealth local. You can support worker cooperatives in your community in many ways. One of the easiest ways is to join your local co-op! Many people are already part of consumer cooperatives, like grocery co-ops or credit unions, where members have a say in how the business is run. Attending a co-op board meeting is a great way to see democracy in action. I also invite you to follow the progress of our cleaning co-op incubation on Instagram. Or, if this work speaks to you, please consider donating to help us continue building worker-led businesses that strengthen Wisconsin communities. In solidarity, Worker Justice Wisconsin |
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 cooperative work. They also explored how cooperatives turn their institutional values into actionable habits and hold themselves accountable when straying from their mission. Mirta and Maria toured Isthmus Engineering and connected with other worker-owners and supporters, including Esther West from Shared Capital Cooperative and CoLab Technology Cooperative, who will support the cleaning cooperative’s incubation. Reflecting on the experience, Maria shared, “There is a whole community there eager to help. Everyone wants us to succeed.” If this work speaks to you, please consider donating to Worker Justice Wisconsin so we can continue this impactful work. |
Schedule a Know Your Rights Training
| n September, David Ortiz-Whittingham, our Construction Organizer, presented at the Wisconsin Building Trades Council annual conference with Gita Connolly from the UW-Madison Law School Immigrant Justice Clinic. They spoke to about 100 union representatives and staff on how workers can be prepared if ICE conducts a raid or workplace arrest. |
| The session covered basic constitutional rights, including 4th Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and 5th Amendment right to remain silent, as well as federal procedures for lawful workplace access. David and Gita highlighted how unions can protect workers through education, advocacy, and negotiating protective language in collective bargaining agreements. They also shared updates on recent court decisions and current administrative changes that may impact workers. As David emphasized, these rights are most effective when all workers are prepared to exercise them, protecting themselves and their coworkers. WJW continues to provide trainings across industries and communities on their immigration rights. To schedule a training, contact Executive Director Robert Christl at robert@workerjustice.org. |
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, 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. |
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