Successful Campaigns

"Frontline workers and all adults 16 and older with underlying health conditions will be eligible for vaccine appointments starting April 5." https://www.opb.org/article/2021/03/26/oregon-accelerates-covid-19-vaccine-distribution/

On Tuesday October 3, farmworker leaders from Migrant Justice and the CEO of Ben & Jerry’s jointly signed the Milk with Dignity agreement. The legally-binding contract establishes Ben & Jerry’s as the first company in the dairy industry to implement the worker-driven human rights program. This momentous occasion marks the beginning of a new day for dairy, one that provides economic relief and support to struggling farm owners, in the form of a premium paid by Ben & Jerry’s, while ensuring dignity and respect for farmworkers.

The company listened and wants to work together to resolve this issue.

"We were able to secure a $2/h raise on our minimum wage! It is not exactly the living wage we demanded, but a step in a better direction, and a reminder that our voices have power!"

After being denied up to 64 weeks pay in retrenchment entitlements for more than 18 months, 13 workers from Centennial Coal will finally get paid. This is an important victory against discrimination and corporate misbehavior -- even though these workers never should have had to put up such a hard fight to get what they were rightfully owed. In addition to the petition on Coworker.org, this fight also involved actions in the Federal Court, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Fair Work Commission.

We won, in a way. While Trader Joe's still refuses to provide hazard pay to the thousands of workers who are putting ourselves on the front lines of a global pandemic, our petition raised awareness among our coworkers of the power of collective action. It appears we also may have inspired other grocery workers to petition their companies to provide hazard pay, many of which have been successful. Sadly, Trader Joe's is hoping that maintaining an image of compassion will excuse the company from having to tangibly act with compassion. The company used the existence of this petition to lie to workers, telling them it was a trick to get people to sign their name to the union effort. That is so emphatically untrue. Telling crew that to scare them is a cut and clear Unfair Labor Practice violation. Their attempt to union-bust as we cry out for help amid a global health crisis makes it clearer than ever where corporate's priorities lie – and the work we need to do to get them to act right. Our win is not because Trader Joe's is providing its workers common sense policy, but because our fellow crewmembers are now unshakably aware that this company will refuse to do what's right if we remain quiet. We are ending this campaign at 20,000 signatures to stand as a reminder for crewmembers that we are here and we will not back down. We are ending this campaign at 20,000 signatures to remind corporate that we have broad public support and worker solidarity on our side – and we're only just getting started. Solidarity forever.

On August 10, José had a formal meeting with UIC administrators, and all of our demands were met! The University agreed to immediately lift the hold on José's registration and guarantee his TA assistantship for the Fall semester. José is now officially registered for classes. Also, the University Provost attended the hearing and personally apologized to José for the unjust way he was treated - she agreed to work with the different departments involved to make sure this does not happen again. Our petition-- which had over 200 signatures-- was delivered to the administration at the meeting. On behalf of the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO), thank you for showing UIC admins that an injury to one is an injury to all.

WE WON! Publix announced in December of 2021 that it is finally going to start providing paid parental leave to all employees. Thank you for advocacy to help win change for 225,000 Publix employees! While it's a great step in the right direction for Publix to now provide all employees with some paid leave, their policy is unequal -- the amount of paid leave that employees can access will range from 2-6 weeks based on duration of employment, whether the staff person is salaried or hourly, etc. We need to continue fighting so that paid leave is not an elite benefit, and everyone can be there for their families in the moments that matter most. - Paid Leave for the U.S.

In June 2014, Park Point University adjuncts voted in favor of joining the Adjunct Faculty Association of the United Steelworkers. University administrators said they would respect the adjunct faculty's decision and they are currently in the process of bargaining a contract. Thank you to everyone who showed your support for our faculty throughout this process! This is clearly an example of when we fight we win, but there is still much work to be done in ensuring our adjunct faculty receive a fair contract and that student needs are met on campus. Please sign this semester's petition to not only support our adjunct faculty, but to support us as we fight against the recently announced tuition increases and for a voice on campus: https://www.coworker.org/petitions/point-park-student-demands-for-tuition-transparency-and-a-voice-on-campus

Starbucks announced that it has changed its dress code and will now allow employees to show non-offensive visible tattoos, as long as they are not on the face or throat, effective on Monday, October 20, 2014. I am jumping up and down and am so excited that we can now be more comfortable at work! I'm thrilled that Starbucks listened to feedback from employees like me and has updated its policy. I'm also so thankful to the thousands of baristas and supporters who joined my campaign and shared their stories about why this is important. I never thought my petition on Coworker.org would be signed by so many baristas around the world and it’s great that when we come together, we can make our company better. I’m ecstatic and going out to buy a short sleeve shirt for work right now!