Our Reports

After years of extensive research by workers trained through the Defesores program, CTUL has compiled two powerful reports that give evidence of the abuse of workers. Check them out now.

 

Confronting Exploitation: The Face of Low-Wage Work in the Twin Cities –  November 2015

Held Up Without a Gun: Wage Theft in Minnesota’s Janitorial Industry –  June 2015

Press Coverage

2018

Construction Campaign 

2017

Movement for $15 Grows

September 4, 2017 Labor Day Strike

$15 in Minneapolis – July 2017

May Day 2017

Wage Theft Bill Introduced February 15, 2017

January 20, 2017 Retail Janitorial Strike on Inauguration Day

2016

November 29 Day of Action for $15 and Union Rights

August 28 Back to School Actions:

2016 Fight for $15

2016 Earned Sick and Safe Time Work:

2016 Wage Theft Work:

April 14, 2016 Fast Food Strikes:

February 18 Unity Action with MFE:

February 18, 2016 Strike:

January 2016 Coverage:

2015

December 2015 Coverage:

Highlights:

All coverage in December:

Black Friday 2015:

11/12 Report Release:

11/10 Strike with Retail Janitors and Fast food workers:

“Target had quiet talks with labor on Minneapolis workplace rule,” Star Tribune, Adam Belz, November 9, 2015.

11/10 Strike Announcement (Oct. 7):

CTUL at the White House Worker Voice Summit:

June 9 Strike

June 9 Best Buy Shareholder Action

June 9 Strike Deadline Announcement

CTUL Trip to Kohl’s Shareholder Meeting May 2015

Lucila Dominguez 2015 Facing Race Amabassador

April 15 Fast Food strike

  • “Fast food workers shut down Minneapolis intersection,” Barb Kucera, WorkDay Minnesota, April 15, 2015 “This is our moment — we are going to change service jobs from ones that drag our economy down into ones that lift up workers, families and communities,” said Carmela Palacios, Burger King employee and member of CTUL, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha/Center of Workers United in Struggle. “Fast-food workers are joining together and standing up for what’s right, and standing with so many people working in a variety of industries, we are stronger than ever. I know we will win.”

McDonald’s workers respond to “raise”

Fast Food Workers Announce Strike April 15, 2015

CTUL at 2015 Presidential State of the Union

2014

KBS Signs Agreement – December 2014

Fast Food Strikes 12.4.14

Videos of Fast Food strike

Black Friday 2014 Retail Janitor Strike:

Retail Janitors Announce Black Friday Strike Deadline, November 2014:

Fast Food Strikes in Twin Cities September 2014:

Post Fast Food Strike:

Victory Coverage June 2014:

Highlights:

“The janitors who clean Twin Cities Target stores announced victory today, after the retailer agreed to a new policy that will give the workers better conditions, including the right to collectively bargain, and ensure workers are not forced to work seven days a week.”

“…a strong core of leaders in the industry, who have gone on three strikes…that’s the mechanism of enforcement.”

All Print Coverage:

All Video Coverage:

Black Friday Strike and March to End Poverty Wages 11/29/13

Pre-Black Friday Strikes:

October 14 Roundtable to increase minimum wage:

August 29 Nationwide Fast Food Strike – Solidarity Action:

July 24 Day of Action with Retail Janitors:

Strike 2 Coverage:

HIGHLIGHTS:

OTHER COVERAGE:

Strike Coverage:

A large group of non-union retail cleaning workers walked off the job and onto the picket line Monday night, and are now airing their complaints in front of Target in downtown Minneapolis.

Pre-Strike Coverage:

DMS Lawsuit Proposed Settlement:

Janitors who work for a company that cleans Twin Cities Target stores have reached a preliminary settlement in a class-action lawsuit over unpaid wages…

The complaint alleged that certain managers made workers, mostly at five Twin Cities Target stores, punch into work on certain days using “ghost employee” ID cards. According to the court documents, the “scheme” required the janitors to clock in and sign work cards using the names of former DMS employees at least one or two days a week. The practice meant that those who worked as much as 56 to 80 hours a week received only regular pay.

OSHA Complaints against Target Contractors:

Black Friday Joint Actions with Striking Walmart Workers and Retail Cleaning Workers:

“OUR Walmart’s the organization united for respect at Walmart,” said Michael Ahles, who works at the Sauk Centre Walmart. “It consists of former and current associates at Walmart. We’re trying to reason with Walmart that we need better wage, better hours, benefits, that some of the company policies need to change. But they are fighting back at us.”

Pre-Black Friday Joint Actions:

Former and current employees of the giant corporation describe systemic abuse and harassment by management at Walmart stores and warehouses. When asked about their demands, many workers talk about the desire for management to respect and listen to the workers.

‘Just by increasing wages and making health care affordable, Walmart can turn this country around, they have that power, to raise up the poverty level,’ said (Gabe) Teneyuque, (striking Walmart employee).

“Ghost” Employee Press Conference, Oct. 31, 2012:

“Diversified is a national cleaning company that has contracts with several large retailers in the Twin Cities area including Target, Best Buy, Sears and Kmart. The contractor has been sued several times, in other locations around the country, for fair labor law violations, court records show.”

September 29th Day of Action and Reflection:

Press Conference Regarding OSHA complaints at Diversified Maintenance, August 28, 2012:

Press Conference: White Paper and Lawsuit against Diversified Maintenance, April 25, 2012: