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Arizona Interfaith Alliance for Worker Justice was established in 2006 through the cooperative efforts of local faith leaders and the national offices of Interfaith Worker Justice. In its first year AIAWJ served as a lead partner in the statewide coalition to “Raise the Minimum Wage for Working Arizonans,” ballot initiative; partnered with low-income workers in residential construction and hotel and laundry worker campaigns; and resourced low income faith communities in civic engagement activities.
In 2008, AIAWJ expanded its mission to include a worker rights center where workers are trained in self-advocacy and strategic planning to address workplace injustice. Since then, staff, interns, and volunteers at AIAWJ have partnered with workers to recover more than $200,000 in stolen wages. Workers have also been assisted in preparing for their intake interviews with the EEOC, successfully contesting denials of unemployment benefits, and trained to represent themselves in small claims and civil court.
To date, AIAWJ is well on its way to becoming a truly worker run, worker led organization. Besides being governed by a low income majority board, a Workers’ Comité and Women’s Leadership Group are engaged in the day to day operations of the Center.
AIAWJ’s membership is representative of Arizona’s population, ranging from low income, immigrant workers to labor and faith allies.
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