This page will provide links to the latest postings on Justice and Witness Ministries' Economic Justice pages. 

The Federal Budget: Follow the ongoing story of the budget. The House and Senate have begun work on the 2014 budget. The sequester -- the indiscriminate, across-the-board spending cuts-- are in place. What is being cut? As people of faith, we know the federal budget is a moral document that unambiguously reveals, in dollars and cents, our nation’s priorities and concerns. Follow these budget issues, learn about new policy proposals, and find advocacy resources on the Federal Budget page.

Florida Farm workers in the Coalition of Immokalee Workers invite allies to join their March 3-17, 2013, march for fair food. Learn more. Partial scholarships available to cover costs for allies who want to join them.

Wal-Mart workers are standing up, speaking out, and going on strike for dignity, respect, and better working conditions. They need our support, especially on Black Friday, the important big shopping day after Thanksgiving when actions at stores across the country are planned. More info.

A Fair Balance: Reducing Inequality in the United States and Around the World. A new resource from JWM. There is plenty for all if we share. The Church is called to work for a world where there is a “fair balance” between abundance for a few and the needs of many.

Unemployment in the United States continues to be tragically and unacceptably high. But the closely-watched and widely-cited monthly unemployment rate tells only part of the story; the number of people without jobs is actually much higher than indicated in that count. Meanwhile, Congress and many states are cutting back on unemployment benefits and budget plans are projected to bring on another recession. See Unemployment: There's Still a Crisis

Congressional Budget Office Foresees Recession due to Planned Deficit Reduction. The bipartisan and highly regarded Congressional Budget Office projects that if the planned massive reductions in the federal government deficit go into effect next year, the country will fall back into a recession.

Learn about some of the ways that UCC congregations and conferences are working for justice for immigrants.

Labor trafficking, also known as modern-day slavery, refers to the use of force, coercion, fraud, or abduction to exploit a person for profit. It is a crime against humanity and ultimately a sin. Learn about labor trafficking and what you can do to stop it.

The UCC supports farmworkers who are fasting for justice. Members and allies of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, an organization of tomato harvesters in Immokalee, Florida, are fasting for six days to call for justice in the fields, especially from Florida grocery chain Publix. Read more including seminarian Shannon Gorres' blog as she fasts with the CIW.

Recent progress toward the elimination of global poverty and hardship. Two of eight Millennium Development Goals have been met.

The President's Budget Proposal. The Obama Administration recently released its proposal for the federal budget for fiscal year 2013. Read the UCC Collegium of Officers' statement and a analysis of the budget proposal.      

The fair trade movement is in crisis. The fundamental purpose of fair trade – to support small farmers in ways that are good for them, their communities, the environment, and consumers – is being challenged. One part of the fair trade movement is supporting weaker, broader standards that would allow even plantation-growth coffee to be certified as fair trade. The other part of the movement wants to maintain standards that will preserve the movement’s original purpose of helping small farmers. Read more about the crisis and how you can support authentic fair trade.

Unemployment. We are told the economy is recovering. Nonetheless there are still millions of people who are jobless or working part time when they want and need full-time hours. The faith community has responded to the economic crisis by creating Faith Advocates for Jobs, an interfaith organization working for job creation and in support the unemployed. Engage your congregation, association, or conference. Propose joining Faith Advocates for Jobs. Seek and receive a commitment from your congregation, association, or conference to advocate for jobs and support the unemployed. Learn more here.

Wage Theft. Unscrupulous employers steal wages from their workers. In any week, over two-thirds of low-wage workers are not paid all the wages they earn. Find resources and learn how you can help end wage theft.

Abuses in the Banking Industry. Additional information and resources on abusive banking practices have been posted here. These resources support the General Synod resolution, Putting our money where our values are: Evaluating church financial relationships. GS encourages all congregations and settings of the UCC to examine their banking relationships to determine if they accord with their values. More information on the Resolution, resources to support an investigation of your existing banking relationships, and how to find new ones more in line with your values.