Workers Interfaith Network

The mission of Workers Interfaith Network is to educate and organize people of faith, low-wage workers, and workers'' allies in order to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for the hard-working people of the Mid-South, especially those who earn low wages. We believe that every person has God-given dignity that must be respected in the workplace. We honor our Creator by seeking justice that enables workers to share in the fruits of their labor. Workers Interfaith Network was founded in 2002 by a group of Memphis faith leaders who wanted to involve the religious community more deeply in campaigns that would improve wages and working conditions for Mid-South workers, especially those in low-wage jobs. While many area congregations had charitable programs to assist people experiencing hunger and poverty, people of faith needed a vehicle for organizing to bring about improved wages, benefits, and working conditions that lift workers out of poverty. WIN now plays a crucial role in galvanizing both religious and community involvement in worker rights issue. We are an affiliate of the national organization Interfaith Worker Justice.

Workers Interfaith Network has three primary campaign areas: 1) WIN?s Living Wage Campaign advocates for businesses and local governments to pay their workers a living wage that can meet a family's basic needs. WIN also advocates for a federal minimum wage that is a living wage. 2) Our Memphis Workers' Center is a safe space for low-wage workers to learn about their rights, and plan ways to improve their working conditions. Using a process of negotiation with employers, community organizing, and legal assistance, we enable workers to respond to fail to pay their workers? for all the hours they have worked, or who do not provide workers? compensation to employees after on-the-job injuries. 3) WIN upholds the rights of workers to organize. When employers attempt to stop worker organizing through unjust or illegal means such as firing workers who are union supporters, WIN presses the company to respect their workers? right to organize. Additionally, WIN educates congregations and seminary students about faith teachings related to workers? rights and economic justice.