In 2000, the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice of South Central Wisconsin launched a study of actual workplace conditions in Dane County through the Latino Worker Project. The Latino Worker Project fact-finding delegation was a collaborative effort of faith community representatives, union leaders, workers, and local social service providers. The final published report, "Can't Afford to Lose
a Bad Job," highlighted the difficulties and barriers these workers face. One of the recommendations of the delegation was the establishment of a Workers' Rights Center to address the needs of low-wage and immigrant workers. The ICWJ recognized that many of the workplace problems that were identified affect all low-wage workers, regardless of ethnicity, and hired a full-time staff person to help fulfill this recommendation. Using resources and best practices from successful faith/labor initiatives around the country, the ICWJ researched and developed a plan for a local Workers' Rights Center. In 2007, after over four years of operating the Workers' Rights Center, the ICWJ Board determined that it was time for the WRC to become a stand alone organization. A founding board was formed and the Workers' Rights Center established itself as a 501(c)(3) organization. The ICWJ and WRC still share office space and work closely on numerous campaigns, but now each is able to pursue its' mission with a greater focus. The Workers' Rights Center is a community center dedicated to educating and advocating for worker justice. A major focus has been training people in the community as advocates to assist others in resolving workplace problems. By its work and advocacy, the Workers' Rights Center seeks to affirm the dignity of work and the dignity and respect that should be afforded to all members of our community.
