Worker Justice Wisconsin is a Madison-based non-profit that works with low-wage and immigrant workers to build collective worker power through four programs. These programs include: the anti-wage theft campaign, where workers are taught to read their pay stubs, file complaints with the state, and organize publicly to pressure bad employers who steal from their employees; the construction campaign, where construction workers are educated on their rights and receive strategic support in organizing against exploitative contractors; the workplace organizing program, where workers receive support in creating their own union; and the co-ops incubation program, where workers who want to own their own business receive educational and organizational support.  Funds from the compassion offering will be used to support this program.

Worker cooperatives are autonomous workplaces where workers own and manage the business democratically and distribute profit equitably among themselves. In other words, there is no traditional hierarchical relationship between employer and employee. Because establishing a worker co-op is difficult, and immigrant workers face additional language, cultural, and entrepreneurial barriers, WJW’s program demystifies this process and provides education and mentorship. In 2025, WJW helped launch Los Volcanes, a textile and screenprinting co-op. In 2026, WJW plans to launch a commercial cleaning co-op.

WJW is facing a substantial loss of federal funds. The co-op incubation program in particular has been seriously affected. During the last two years, WJW received close to $40,000 from the U. S Department of Agriculture, for this program. Under the new administration, that money no longer exists.

For more information, please view this video:  Worker Justice Wisconsin video

Worker Justice Wisconsin (WJW) is a Madison-based nonprofit that builds collective worker power together with faith and labor allies. Our worker center educates and empowers employees who do not have a union. We help them file complaints with state agencies, incubate worker-owned cooperatives, and train workers to organize their coworkers. With a mostly bilingual staff, WJW pays special attention to the Spanish-speaking, immigrant working class. In 2022, WJW trained 140 workers, helped recover $121,560.11 in previously owed but unpaid wages, organized two job sites, and incubated three cooperatives. Of the 200+ workers who opened cases in 2022, over 90% were immigrants, and 89% were Latinx. 

February’s Compassion Offering will be deposited in the WJW Solidarity Fund. The Fund encourages workers to engage in job site organizing by providing a basic financial safety net. If a worker is retaliated against or fired by their employer for engaging in legally protected organizing activity, or if a workforce decides to go on strike, they can receive up to 50% of their income from the fund (so long as funds last and up to two months). The Fund is crucial to bolstering workers’ bargaining power. It is not charity. It is a direct contribution to workers’ struggle to overcome structural inequality.

You can make a donation by check, on the memo line, please write “compassion” and mail to ORUCC, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711, or donate online from our website. The link is https://orucc.org/contribute/support/