Labor Unions
The goal: Protect the right for workers to stick together.
In other industrialized countries, CEO’s are paid 10 to 25 times more than workers. In the U.S., CEO pay is 400 times the average worker’s wages. That gap is growing. And it is worse in those places where the organized voice of workers has been silenced.
Like all institutions (including religious ones), labor unions have flaws. But for more than 100 years, they have proven to be the best way for workers to get fair treatment. They’ve made life better for everyone. Unions are the reason we have the 8-hr workday, social security, anti-child labor laws and the minimum wage.
Every faith tradition affirms the right of workers to stick together for wages and benefits. We are educating, organizing and calling people of faith to stand with them so their voices are heard.
"This is what religion looks like."
- Chanted by the crowds at the Wisconsin state Capitol that gathered in opposition to so-called 'right-to-work' legislation.
Take Action
- Become an advocate for labor unions -> Sign up here to get action alerts
- Hold an educational forum on labor unions. Invite union workers, labor union leaders, and IWJ leaders to speak -> Click here for a "how to" resource
- Start planning now to host Labor in the Pulpit/on the Bimah/in the Minbar events in your congregation -> Get planning materials here
- Financially support IWJ's campaign to educate and mobilize the religious community around labor issues -> Give here
- Learn about why unions matter...and what faith has to do with it -> Click here to learn more
- Get informed and involved in current labor and worker justice campaigns -> Go to "campaigns" in the resource center