COWC Mission

In recent decades, fair wages and workplace protections have come under fire.  Working class people have been pitted against each other. Immigrants are scapegoated for an economy that works for the few rather than the many. Many workers today have nowhere to turn when they experience wage theft or workplace discrimination, and immigrant families are torn apart by deportation. The Central Ohio Worker Center was created to fill a crucial gap in our community.

The Central Ohio Worker Center (“COWC”) is a non-profit organization that educates, empowers, and advocates for and with low-wage and immigrant workers in Central Ohio.

History of the Central Ohio Worker Center

Inspired by a stirring keynote address from Kim Bobo, founder of the National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, and her book, Wage Theft in America, local organizers began discussing the need for a worker center in Columbus, Ohio. Initial meetings were held in September 2013.  Friends and allies developed a common vision and basic organizational structure. The Central Ohio Worker Center was formed and received 501(c)(3) status in September 2014.

Establishing the COWC was a collaborative effort by workers, students, community organizations, people of faith and unions committed to advocacy on behalf of low-wage workers and immigrants. Many of our founding members first joined together in a community effort to celebrate May Day and labor history in the United States.  Appreciating the significance of past struggles and victories reinforced the need for an organization that not only served low-wage workers and immigrants in need, but also one that helped them organize collectively to obtain justice in the workplace and community.

Under the leadership of our Board of Directors, the COWC provides “know your rights” workshops, training on labor and immigration law and policy, and effective assistance on wage theft and immigration cases.  Our labor liaison works closely with our friends in the labor movement to ensure that all workers have access to the benefits collective bargaining and workplace representation. She also staffs our hotline and refers cases to appropriate volunteers and professionals. Today the COWC is making a positive difference in the lives of workers in Central Ohio.