Were you inspired by the pro-democracy movements in the Middle East this winter? Were you moved by the outpouring of support for workers’ rights in the Midwest? Are you wondering what’s next in building a people’s movement to take back our democracy?

Join us August 5-7 at the Jobs with Justice National Conference!Click here to register by June 24th and save on the registration cost.

Come to the Jobs with Justice National Conference to learn from and strategize with labor leaders, rank & file workers, students, religious leaders, community activists, workers excluded from labor law protection, and many, many more about how to build a powerful movement of working people to defeat the corporate agenda.

Coalitions in cities targeted for new Walmart stores gathered and took strategic actions on April 21, 2011 to urge elected leaders to make sure Walmart’s desire to open or expand stores is rejected or met with enforcement of strong standards.

In cities across the United States, Walmart is seeking access to new markets and customers, spurring local and national debate for good reason. Local coalitions of community members, elected officials, religious leaders, small business owners and others are joining together and speaking out to voice their concern and ensure the jobs being offered by Walmart meet strong standards for healthy, growing communities.

Jobs with Justice is playing a key role in these coalitions, either coordinating or participating in a number of cities including:  Boston, New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco.  Other cities where local coalitions held aligned events include:  Los Angeles, Seattle.  Here are some highlights:

In San Francisco:

Jobs with Justice joined together with a number of community organizations to publicly announce the formation

Continue reading Community coalitions in major cities tell elected officials to reject Walmart or impose strong standards

This year – starting now – we are expecting an array of serious attacks on workers’ rights to hit state legislatures, including Right to Work for Less laws, paycheck deception, anti-prevailing wage bills, anti-immigrant bills, and continued attacks on the public sector.  Corporations want to use the failing economy as an excuse to reverse every worker protection put in place over the last century, but we won’t let that happen.

Come to the Jobs with Justice conference to learn from and strategize with labor leaders, rank & file workers, students, religious leaders, community activists, workers excluded from labor law protection, and many, many more about how to build a powerful movement of working people to defeat the corporate agenda.

Please save the date & stay tuned to learn more about the program, action, and celebrations planned at the 2011 Jobs with Justice National Conference.

“Wage theft is a crime” was the theme of a rally and press event on Thursday, Nov. 18th that brought together workers, faith leaders, and community supporters. Held in front of the DC Metropolitan Police Dept. Headquarters, the rally gave workers a chance to speak out about the silent crime of wage theft and to call on the police and DC government to do more to protect workers.

The Union de Trabajadores, with DC Jobs with Justice, Interfaith Worker Justice of Greater Washington, the DC Employment Justice Center, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and other allies have been working for several years to improve the options open to workers to recover wages.  While the DC Wage and Hour office has implemented many of the recommendations from workers, the office still lacks the staff and resources necessary and doesn’t have the authority to levy fines or penalties against employers who

Continue reading DC Workers, Faith Leaders Speak Out Against Wage Theft

As a catastrophe unfolds in Arizona, people across the country are preparing to defend their communities against the racist immigrant policies being implemented under the banner of “secured communities” in America.

Arizona has been in the forefront of the most deplorable immigrant enforcement tactics, with Sheriff Joe Arpio‘s shameful treatment of undocumented workers,  the signing of the  SB1070 bill by Governor Jan Brewer that will lead to racial profiling and distrust between the police and immigrant communities, and today the passage of a ban on ethnic studies programs.

These despicable actions in Arizona have led to organizing and involvement of all sectors of the community to show their disgust against these policies and remind elected officials, especially Arizona’s governor, that their actions will lead to massive mobilization at the polls.  As one good friend said “Justice delayed, election denied”

Many people across the country are fighting to keep their communities safe from these xenophobic policies and are creating safe communities for

Continue reading Standing Up to Arizona’s Racist Immigration Law

On January 30, 2010, consumers and union members performed a hilarious flash mob dance at the Washington, DC auto show to protest Fiat/Chrysler’s broken promises.

The $14 billion taxpayer bailout of Chrysler was meant to help save good jobs.  Instead, Chrysler is threatening to throw professional auto delivery drivers onto the unemployment lines and replace them with less experienced independent contractors and “alternative” carriers, some of which are using flat bed trucks or other transporters that are not designed to protect cars over long distances.   More than 5,000 jobs are at stake.

You can help the Teamsters and their consumer allies to end Chrysler’s dangerous new transportation policy in three ways:

1. Watch the video.   Fiat Chrysler may be forced to back down from their plans to jeopardize car safety and union jobs if enough people view this video.  It’s better than writing a letter.
2. Send it to your address book or post it to all your friends  on Facebook or MySpace, AND ask them to

   Continue reading Flash Mob at DC Auto Show Targets Chrysler

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   Mass deportations and workplace raids continue to terrorize communities across the United States.  Racist immigration policies further divide families and communities and force millions of people to live under the constant threat that any interaction with police—however minor—could lead to detention and even deportation.

   On January 26th, hundreds rallied outside the Department of Homeland Security and dozens blocked streets to bring attention to the need for immigration reform NOW.  The protest was organized by CASA de Maryland and brought activists from DC Jobs with Justice, Nakasec, National Day Labor Organizing Network, and more.

   Mackenzie Baris of DC JwJ explained, “this broken immigration system not only hurts the individuals and families who are caught in raids, but also hurts all workers and the economy as a whole by allowing employers to exploit the differences in immigration status to take advantage of workers and deny their rights.”

   Tuesday’s action also drew attention to The Trail of DREAMs.  Drawing inspiration from the civil rights movement, four

   Continue reading Dozens Block Traffic Protesting Inaction on Immigration Reform

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