Seminarians for Worker Justice

Students living faith in action for worker justice!

Seminarians for Worker Justice (SfWJ) is a network of interfaith student groups, and their allies, that work together to confront injustices in the workplace. The students draw upon their religious values, strive to be in solidarity with workers, speak out against oppression, and creatively affect positive change within their faith communities and society-at-large with workers. Students in an SfwJ group believe their faith requires direct action; as future religious leaders, they seek to incorporate that knowledge into their ministries.

Ways you can get involved:

• Focus on one or more worker justice campaign in your city.
• Contact the local interfaith committee or Central Labor Council in your area. For more information about how to do this, contact Joy Heine or 773-728-8400 ext. 33.
• Meet and interview workers.
• Listen to the stories of workers. Provide a ministry of presence.
• Invite workers to speak at your school about worker issues and campaigns.
• Join in solidarity with workers on picket lines.
• Write an article in your school newspaper about worker justice campaigns and the importance of solidarity between the religious and labor communities.
• Organize a food drive for striking workers in collaboration with the organizing union.
• Organize a prayer vigil for workers and employers.
• Organize student delegations to meet representatives of companies and share with them your concerns for workers.
• Write a letter to an employer supporting the right of workers to organize.
• Educate other students about the issues through panels, forums, and conferences.
• Plan a worship service focused on the workers in your school.
• Speak to your congregations about the issues facing workers in low-wage jobs and get them involved in:
  
  • Meeting workers,
  • Writing letters,
  • Collecting food for striking workers,
  • Studying scripture on labor and economics,
  • Supporting striking workers financially through strike funds.

Six SfwJ groups across the country are standing in solidarity with workers to improve wages, working conditions, and respect and dignity in the workplace. The organizers for the groups are listed on the back of Faith Works newsletter.

For more information. . .
If you would like more information or want to get involved in this project, please contact Joy Heine, Project Director, Religious Perspectives on Work, Interfaith Worker Justice, 1020 West Bryn Mawr, 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60660, or (773) 728-8400 ext. 33.