| Well, folks. 2025 was a slugger of a year, but despite the challenges, Worker Justice Wisconsin continued doing what we’ve always done: educate and organize workers to build working-class power and build a more just and democratic society. December’s newsletter demonstrates that WJW is not slowing down! This year: We met with and trained hundreds of workers on their workplace rights, like how to read their pay stub, how to spot wage theft, how to keep themselves safe on the jobsite, and how to organize a union or a co-op. We helped unionize the Hilton Monona Terrace. We began incubating another co-op—this time a cleaning company led entirely by immigrant women. We identified $342,327.86 in unpaid wages, and we helped workers recuperate $75,366.53, despite the very high levels of fear in the low-wage, immigrant community given the national climate. We helped 16 construction workers organize and pressure their employer to get back almost $30,000 in wages. Those are just some of the highlights. Every day, our staff and members are on the frontlines fighting to make every workplace a dignified one. 2025 was tough. 2026 is going to be even tougher. That is why it is absolutely essential that the community support the work that we do in the worker center. There are three ways to contribute: Donate. Ask your friends and family to donate. And donate monthly. Consider joining our Board! We are looking for someone with experience in fundraising and building a donor program to cultivate individual donations and engage them. If you are interested, please email me at robert@workerjustice.org. Join the Rapid Response Network and join us, our members, and workers on the picket line! |
Robert Christl
Interim Executive Director
One Year Anniversary of Los Volcanes
| Los Volcanes celebrated their first anniversary since their launch in October of last year. |
| Reflecting on their first year in business, Juana, Leonel, Francisco, and Celedonia remarked that this first year was them getting the hang of working together as a group—balancing schedules, trying to distribute work evenly, and coordinating with clients and other co-op members. A lot of the year was spent honing in on what the clients wanted and were looking for the most— alterations, customizing outfits, custom screenprinting and embroidery, and occasionally other projects, like crochet and traditional dance wear for ballet folklorico. They spent a good amount of time learning what volume of orders makes the most sense for them, balancing how to divide their time and labor, what kinds of materials to work with, and how to cultivate client relationships. One important lesson that they learned was also that they have to be confident in their work and their finished product—and price that service accordingly. After years of working for an exploitative employer, Juana observed that she had inadvertently internalized the messages, and devalued her work and her time. In the coming year, Los Volcanes have a clearer picture of what they want to accomplish and what things they want to focus on. They will continue to provide alterations and custom screenprinting, but are looking to invest in an embroidery machine, as this has been highly requested by their existing clients. To get in touch with Los Volcanes, please call or text at (608) 566-7086. |
| Wage Theft Campaign Update with Figueroa Cole |
| Our campaign against wage theft has entered an exciting new phase. After more than a year of community outreach, educating workers about wage theft and how to read their pay stubs, we are now entering the political phase of our struggle. Specifically, we want to mobilize all workers who have been affected by wage theft and our allies to transform Wisconsin’s laws. As our readers know, wage theft is practically not a crime in Wisconsin. The consequences for employers who steal are almost nonexistent. There are no fines, and they won’t go to jail. But if a worker steals from their boss, the boss can call the police on them. There is a stark legal inequality between employee and employer. That is unfair, and we see the serious consequences of this weak system every day. Our organizers Socorro, David, and Robert, along with our worker member Malachi Persche, have held several meetings with City Councilwoman Yannette Figueroa Cole to identify what kind of city ordinance Madison could enact to reduce wage theft. We want the City of Madison to do more to prevent and punish wage theft, sending a strong message that abusive practices toward workers have no place in our community. However, the road ahead will be difficult. For one thing, during Governor Scott Walker’s term, the state government stripped municipalities of the power to legislate outright on this issue. This is called “preemption.” Until this changes, Madison will have to find creative solutions to combat wage theft. That’s why we’re meeting with Alder Cole to identify, specifically, what we can do and to present some kind of ordinance to workers so they can get involved and organize to pressure our democratic institutions to defend the people. We will continue to report on the progress of this collaboration in upcoming editions of the newsletter. |
| People’s Committee members Malachi Persche, Wage Theft Organizer Socorro Cortez, Madison Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole, Construction Organizer David Ortiz-Whittingham |
| Spotlighting Wage Theft & Workers’ Rights with Telemundo and Wisconsin Contigo |
| Worker Justice Wisconsin organizer Socorro Cortez and Interim Executive Director Robert Christl were recently interviewed about wage theft and workers’ rights in Wisconsin. On November 19, they spoke with Telemundo Wisconsin. Click here to watch the interview and read the article in Spanish. They also spoke with Wisconsin Contigo, highlighting protections like fair pay, safe workplaces, support for reporting issues, and the role of unions in strengthening workers’ voices. Click here to watch the interview. |
| The Struggle at Hilton Monona Terrace Continues |
| On December 10, the union workers at the Hilton Monona Terrace released a report outlining their shocking working conditions after picketing the hotel. In the midst of bargaining their first contract, these workers are only demanding a dignified workplace. Timothy Farland, a dishwasher, said: “I work full time as a dishwasher and I’m homeless… I’m trying to save enough to get my own place but it’s been hard. I feel so angry, because I am doing the best that I can and still falling behind.” Omar, a room attendant, said: “My two young sons and my wife still live in Senegal. I have a dream of bringing them to America, but it’s hard to save any money.” And Gina, a room attendant as well, said: “I know that women my age need regular mammogram screenings, but I haven’t gotten an appointment because I’m so scared of the bill that will come.” These are just some of the stories that workers told in the report and on the picket line. At this crucial moment in time, it is essential that we support these workers in their struggle, and tell the Hilton and all employers that working conditions like these are completely unacceptable in Wisconsin. From the beginning, Worker Justice Wisconsin staff and members have stood behind the Hilton employees, and will continue to support any hotel workers who want to organize as well. As Executive Director Robert Christl said during the press conference: “At WJW, we have met dozens of hotel employees who’ve come to us experiencing these exact same problems. Now, we can tell them there is a living, breathing alternative to just getting by and hoping that the boss will do the right thing. We can tell them about Local 1.” If you are a hotel worker interested in organizing, reach out to Robert at robert@workerjustice.org. If you are a member of the community and want to support these workers, please join our Rapid Response Network and donate here. To read the full report about the working conditions at the Hilton Monona Terrace, click here. For coverage of the picket and the issues they are facing, click here. |
Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement 
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