Worker Justice

WJW's Kristen Taylor on WORT 89.9!

One of WJW’s staff members, Kristen Taylor, was recently interviewed by WORT 89.9 Labor Radio, Tuesday 8:00 Buzz with Dr. Damita Brown! 

Kristen has worked with Worker Justice Wisconsin as both a volunteer and as a staff member for over ten years. Today, Kristen holds the role of Worker Center Manager, assisting workers with wage theft and discrimination cases, teaching classes and trainings, holding organizing meetings, and more. 

During her time on WORT, Kristen described Worker Justice’s new membership program, which entails monthly meetings where organizing workers can join forces, share ideas, develop leadership, and grow solidarity. She also mentioned why worker centers play such an important role in community organizing: they reach areas of the workforce that are sometimes difficult to access and provide a nexus around which workers can come together. 

Kristen and Dr. Damita Brown also discussed the importance of immigrant labor and our economy’s dependence upon it. Kristen also noted how immigrant workers have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, having been more likely to lose their jobs as well as contract and die of COVID-19.

As Kristen and Dr. Brown discussed a living wage, Kristen expressed doubt that Madison would pass a $15/hr minimum wage ordinance but emphasized that the current minimum wage is not nearly enough to sustain an individual. Change is slow, but Kristen and Dr. Brown both said they’re hopeful.

If you want to give Kristen’s full interview a listen, check out WORT’s archives from November 9th. Kristen can be heard on the Tuesday 8:00 Buzz with Dr. Damita Brown!