Wage Theft

  • Supply Chain Workers Test Strength of Links
    Jane Slaughter
    Mar 29 2012 - 1:00pm

    Workers in the nation’s sprawling distribution network hold enormous potential power. Today warehouse workers are organizing in three hubs: the “Inland Empire” east of LA, a giant complex near Chicago, and the centers along the Jersey Turnpike.

  • Sudden Business Closures in Chicago Prompt Wage Theft Fights
    Jerry Mead-Lucero
    Feb 13 2012 - 11:25am

    Two Chicago worker centers are fighting for hundreds of laid-off workers left in the wake of sudden business closures, still owed back pay. Advocates say such mass firings are not uncommon.

  • Young Workers United Runs a Marathon, Not a Sprint, in Organizing San Francisco

    In San Francisco, the Young Workers United worker center takes the long view, building membership and mobilizing to advocate for improved working conditions—with unusual success.

  • Strong Words against Wal-Mart at New York Rally

    Retail worker unions gathered with an association of small supermarkets and city officials Thursday to denounce Wal-Mart as a “job killer” for New York. “For every two jobs, three jobs lost!” was the chant at the City Hall rally.

  • Those with Least Are Doing the Most

    During this holiday break it’s inspiring to remember that sometimes it’s those with least who are doing the most to fight for the ideals that many of us will celebrate in the coming days.

  • New York Wage Theft Law Raises the Bar

    In what advocates called “a stunning win” for workers across New York state, outgoing Governor David Paterson has signed a law that escalates penalties against thieving employers and protects workers who stand up against wage theft at their jobs.

  • Worker Centers and COSH Groups Find Ways to Work Together

    Worker centers and health and safety advocates joined forces on the national level for the first time last month. The Denver gathering brought together worker centers from the Interfaith Worker Justice national network and local coalitions for occupational safety and health (COSHs).

  • Nationwide Actions Shame Wage-Stealing Bosses

    Thirty-five cities saw protests against wage theft on Thursday as part of the Interfaith Worker Justice National Day of Action against Wage Theft. Organizers of the rallies say wage theft is an epidemic, with billions legally earned by workers but stolen by their employer.

  • Jail Time for LA Car Wash Owners

    Two brothers who own four LA car washes were sentenced to a year in jail last week and ordered to pay workers $1.25 million. The verdict came after a plea agreement that settled 172 charges of criminal and labor-law violations, and shows the increasing heft of a long-running Steelworkers campaign to organize car-wash workers in the city.

  • Video: Fighting Wage Theft in New York
    GritTV reports on the arrest of owner of a New York boutique chain last week, charges that grew from a union-backed drive to remake retail by attacking its worst employers. (See this Labor Notes story for more on that).