Justice for Workers in their Workplaces

Justice for Workers in their Workplaces

You shall not withhold the wages of poor and needy laborers, whether other Israelites or aliens who reside in your land in one of your towns --Deuteronomy 24:14

We know that our loving God cares about all aspects of our lives, including our work lives. Conditions and events at work absorb our energy, occupy our minds, and impact our psyches when we are both at work and home. Our work situations can be fulfilling and empowering, or demeaning and humiliating. For many of us, our job is the main factor determining the size of our income, whether we have health insurance and a pension, whether we live in a big house or any house at all, and whether we send our children to college or to bed with an empty stomach.

Some workers confront particularly unjust situations such as extremely low pay, unsafe conditions, racism, or sexism. All workers, whatever their position in the hierarchy of jobs, may suffer from indignities, large and small, that cripple their spirit and hinder their journey to greater wholeness.

One-quarter of all jobs in the U.S. pay wages so low that a full-time worker cannot keep a family out of poverty. For some, the biggest problem is no job at all. Even when the economy is considered to be "strong," millions of people who want to work cannot find a job or can only find a part-time one.

God's reign does not stop at the door to the workplace. The Church, the body of Christ, is called to seek out and accompany people wherever they are. So the church must also be in our offices, factories, stores, farms, schools, and all the places where people work.

Low-paying jobs are too common in the U.S. today.
Low wage workers need our support.

Farm workers face some of the lowest pay and worst working conditions.

Because of its large size, Wal-Mart sets the standards in the retail industry. The corporation needs to treat its workers with dignity and fairness.

Many hotel workers are in an on-going, nationwide struggle for better pay working conditions.

Labor unions are an important way that workers can improve their wages and working condtions, and gain greater dignity on the job. To guarantee workers their right to form a union, Congress must pass the Employee Free Choice Act.

Labor Sunday, the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, is an excellent time for congregations to lift up workers and issues of justice in the workplace.

Immigration is an issue surrounded with much misunderstanding and confusion. Don’t Be Fooled: Immigration is NOT the Real Problem explains that the shortage of good jobs in the U.S. is not due to immigration but lax enforcement of worker protections in the workplace from JWM.

Abusive sweatshop working conditions, either in the U.S. or abroad, must be eliminated.

Economic globalization is impacting workers, jobs, and the U.S. economy. How do we respond?

The UCC's General Synod Resolution Affirming Democratic Principles in an Emerging Global Economy (General Synod 21, 1997)