Thousands of workers marched in the streets of over 340 cities and 20 airports across the country on Tuesday demanding a living wage of $15 an hour and the right to a union during a national day of disturbance. In Iowa, that fight continues. Although a handful of counties have worked to increase the local […]
Center for Worker Justice
Posted inCommunity/News
Johnson County Supervisors sign anti-discrimination resolution
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution “of commitment to support and protect all residents” at a public meeting Thursday. The resolution was suggested by Iowa City restauranteur Derek Perez, and supervisor Mike Carberry brought it to the board. Supervisor Pat Harney said he sees the resolution as an extension of the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City School Board votes against reinstating Stephanie Van Housen
Iowa City Community School District Board Members narrowly voted against reinstating Stephanie Van Housen, former homeless liaison for the district, who was fired earlier this year. Discussion at the open meeting Tuesday night, which was packed with around 80 members of the public, centered around the reasons for Van Housen’s termination, and whether those reasons […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Wage theft rampant, Center for Worker Justice empowers restaurant workers to get paid
In 2015, the Johnson County Supervisors took the lead in the battle for a living wage, acting to raise the local wage in three steps to $10.10 by January 1, 2017. Now Linn, Polk, Wapello and other Iowa counties have joined the fight. But fair labor laws are only as strong as their enforcement. When these laws are violated in Iowa City, the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Center for Worker Justice files complaint against superintendent after family resource coordinator put on leave
Update: The ICCSD responded to the CWJ press release by stating, “The District does not comment on pending personnel matters because we are obligated to protect the privacy of all involved. There are procedures in place that are being followed and we hope the matters will be resolved in the coming weeks.” The Eastern Iowa […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Center for Worker Justice sees change in leadership
Earlier this week, the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa, a prominent activist organization, announced a change in leadership. Executive Director Misty Rebik, who has been with the organization since it was founded in 2012, will be stepping down as of today, Feb. 26. CWJ works on labor rights, housing and civil rights issues […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Activist filmmaker Julie Perini presents workshop on Thursday and films on Friday
WORKSHOP: Getting in the Way, Ways for Artists and Activists to Work Together Center for Worker Justice — Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. HEADROOM presents: Julie Perini films Public Space One — Friday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. Portland filmmaker and activist Julie Perini will lead a workshop for artists and activists on Thursday […]
Posted inCommunity/News
COGS to help Johnson County residents obtain community IDs
The University of Iowa’s graduate student union, COGS, will be on-hand at the Old Capitol Town Center (in front of CVS Pharmacy) this Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 10-11, to help Johnson County residents sign up for community IDs. “The community ID project was spearheaded by the Center for Worker Justice and we consider ourselves very […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Johnson County Supervisors to Muslim community: “We have your back”
On Tuesday morning, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a proclamation in support of the Muslim community. The document acknowledged Johnson County’s longtime Muslim population and expressed concern for the threats they are facing as the result of “being unfairly forced to bear the fears of our nation.” Its supporters resolved to “stand […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Council backs community ID program, commits funds
The Iowa City Council approved a resolution Tuesday expressing support for the community ID program passed earlier this spring by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. Councilors also committed $6,000 to the county-wide initiative — which could go into effect as soon as July — to help cover implementation expenses. The Johnson County Board of […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City residents take to the streets for ‘Raise the Wage’ march
In cities across the country, workers will be marching in the streets today to protest the minimum wage that they say isn’t enough for survival. The Center for…
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City factory embroiled in wage theft dispute
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the Iowa City Center for Worker Justice (CWJ) filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor alleging that the Iowa City RockTenn factory, located at 2561 Independence Rd., had denied wages to at least a dozen of its temporary employees. Complaints from workers include being told to show up for […]
