About Us

Mission Statement Membership Member Organizations Workers' Rights Board

RI Jobs with Justice is a coalition of labor unions, community organizations, and faith-based groups fighting for workers’ rights and economic justice in Rhode Island.  RI JwJ was formed in 1996 after the demonstrated need to fight together, in solidarity, to win real victories for workers in Rhode Island.

RI JwJ is part of a national network of other Jobs with Justice coalitions. In 1987, the leaders of major unions advanced a vision for Jobs with Justice: that important economic and social justice campaigns for workers’ rights could only be won through the combined force of labor, community and faith based groups. By building strategic alliances, bridging past gaps that have hindered our ability to grow, and creating a base of tens of thousands of committed activists, over 45 JwJ coalitions are helping build the infrastructure that gives communities a sense of their own power. By being there for each other, labor, community and faith-based activists are winning the fight for Jobs with Justice! RI JwJ provides solidarity support for member organizations and currently is coordinating a Living Wage Campaign for the capital city of Providence.

First and foremost, Jobs with Justice is about action. Action wins concrete victories. Creative direct action empowers activists. Collective action builds the relationships that make coalitions work. Our coalitions take action around all kinds of issues, from the right to organize a union to living wage to global justice to students rights.

Thanks to the funding of the Community Training and Assistance Center, the RI Foundation, the Haymarket People's Fund, and the dues payments of member organizations, RI JwJ was able to recently hire a new full-time organizer.  With a new organizer, the coalition is gaining strength and a clearer common vision.

RI JwJ Officers and Staff

Labor Chair - Patrick Quinn
Community Chair - Sara Mersha
Faith-Based Chair - Rev. Matthew Kai
Secretary - Craig O'Connor
Treasurer - Rick Brooks
Workers' Rights Board Councilman - Miguel Luna
Providence WORKS! - Andrew Cortes
Solidarity - Louis Rainone
Student Labor Action - Te-Ping Chen

Click here for a "What is RI Jobs with Justice?" flyer