Warehouse Workers Justice Center

WWJ trains workers on their legal right to come together in the workplace and fight to make things better. We teach workers how to organize to win improvements such as raises, paid sick days and holidays, better safety conditions and a voice at the workplace. WWJ fights to hold warehouse operators accountable for the well-being of contracted and temp workers in their facilities. We educate warehouse workers on basic labor rights and help workers develop strategies to enforce their rights. WWJ works with government agencies at the local, state and federal levels to identify and target abusive employers, and we refer workers to trusted attorneys to pursue justice in the courts. Most importantly, WWJ trains warehouse workers on how to come together to hold their own employers accountable.WWJC held ongoing beginning and advanced training programs on:Health and SafetyOrganizing to enforce Workplace RightsYour Legal Rights in the WorkplaceStopping Sexual HarrassmentCriminal Background Checks: Know Your RightsCommunicating our Story to the PublicUnderstanding the Global Supply ChainSince 2009 WWJ has won:Over $2 million in recovered stolen wagesWarehouse employers and temp agencies use a range of schemes to cheat workers out of their pay. WWJ takes action to fight abuses such as missing hours, short checks, illegal paycheck deductions and fees, unpaid show-up pay, payroll card abuses, unpaid overtime, payroll card abuses and more. Over $10 million in wage increases When WWJ opened its doors, warehouse wages averaged $9/hour. Through protests, strikes, petitions, community delegations, public outcry and organizing, WWJ has successfully raised wages in key facilities in the Chicago distribution hub. While some wage rates are still below the $15/hr that workers deserve, these improvements show that when workers organize, things get better.Paid sick days for temp workersWhen warehouse workers get sick or need to care for an ill loved one, they are often punished. For temp workers, paid time off is unheard of. But with support from WWJ, temp workers in the import supply chain of a major retailer united their co-workers and forced their employer to offer paid sick days. An end to the "piece rate" system in large retail distribution centersWhen WWJ began operation in 2009, warehouse operators commonly paid workers using a piece-rate system. This scheme, often called "production pay", involved paying a team of two workers a set amount for unloading a shipping container. Over time, this rate was lowered to the point where a worker's pay was often less than minimum wage. In addition, workers were not paid time between unloading containers. Through legal tactics and organizing, WWJ successfully eliminated this practice in the largest warehouses in the Chicago distribution hub. Reinstatement of dozens of workers unjustly firedMost warehouse workers have little job security. But WWJ has worked to win reinstatement for workers who are unfairly fired. We have successfully won jobs back for workers fired for retaliation for speaking up about sexual harassment or safety abuses, as well as workers fired discriminatorily or in retaliation for exercising their right to organize. WWJ assists workers in asserting their legal rights to seek justice when fired unjustly.?Safety improvements in large retail distribution centersWorkers shouldn't have to risk death or serious injury so that retailers can continue to make money. Unfortunately, warehouse work is still among the most dangerous jobs in the US. WWJ has won many safety improvements in Chicago area warehouses, including replaces storage racks, new dock plates, heating and cooling systems, better safety equipment, enhanced training and more. In addition, WWJ works closely with OSHA officials to ensure legal compliance in area warehouses.