Labor Day 2019
The Whole Fabric of Society Rests Upon Labor The inscription on the northeast corner of the Ohio Judicial Center (65 S. Front St., Columbus, OH 43215) reads, “The Whole Fabric of Society Rests Upon Labor.” When the building opened in 1933, workers in mines, factories,...
All employees deserve living wages.
On August 30, 2019, the Ohio State University announced its plans to raise the minimum wage for most non-union and Wexner Medical Center employees to $15 an hour starting next year*. The salary increases will take effect when the University issues its annual...
Substitute House Bill 80
OPPONENT TESTIMONY OF MICHAEL SMALZ ON BEHALF OF THE CENTRAL OHIO WORKER CENTER, ON SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 80, TO SENATE INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS COMMITTEE ON JUNE 19, 2019 Chairman Hackett, Vice Chairman Hottinger, Ranking Minority Member Craig, and...
Ohio AFL-CIO Workers’ Memorial Day 2019 Remarks
Good afternoon sisters and brothers. My name is Jeremy Baiman and I am here today on behalf of the Central Ohio Workers Center. Our mission is to advocate for, and organize with, immigrants and workers in Central Ohio who do not yet have the protections of a union...
Solidarity with Sonic Drive-In Workers: Economic Justice for All Fast Food Workers
Despite the attempted degradation of the fast food worker in today’s society, those workers must be paid at least the minimum wage required by the applicable state and federal law. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires a federal minimum wage for fast food...
A Victory For Workers: Recovered Wages for More Construction Workers
When an employer doesn’t pay wages owed to workers, the COWC mobilizes and acts as an advocate, advisor, and support network for workers every step of the way. Two recent cases were similar at the outset but required different action! In one recent case the COWC...
A Victory for Workers: Recovered Two Months of Unpaid Wages
In 2018, the Central Ohio Workers’ Center (“COWC”) helped workers who were victims of wage theft recover their rightfully earned, but unpaid, wages. In addition, the COWC took action to stop unlawful child labor practices at a local building site and educated workers...
Amazon and the Fight for $15
On Tuesday, Amazon made headlines around the world as they announced a new $15 minimum wage for all employees. But heaping praise on the trillion dollar company and celebrating victory is both premature and short sighted.
Happy Labor Day From Central Ohio Worker Center!
Labor Day is an opportunity to celebrate the central role workers play in the economy and society. By fighting against wage theft and other labor law violations, supporting collective action in the workplace and standing up for the human rights of all...
Statement from the COWC Worker Justice Committee on the US Supreme Court Opinion in Janus v. AFSCME
In the Janus era, the labor movement will continue to organize working people and guarantee that their voices are heard and their votes are counted. The Central Ohio Worker Center proudly stands in solidarity with unions and their members across Ohio and the United States. Today we remind ourselves of the old labor slogan, “Don’t Mourn, Organize!”