The History of Workers Interfaith Network

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Faithfully seeking justice with workers in the Memphis area

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Our History

Workers Interfaith Network (WIN) was founded in 2002 as the Mid-South Interfaith Network for
Economic Justice by Memphis religious and labor leaders who wanted to involve faith communities
more deeply in campaigns that would improve wages and working conditions for Mid-South workers,
particularly in low-wage jobs. While many area congregations had charitable programs to assist
people experiencing poverty and hunger, congregations did not have a means to engage in
community organizing to bring about the improved wages, working conditions, and benefits
that low-wage workers need and deserve.

WIN now plays a crucial role in galvanizing religious, community, and worker involvement in
worker rights campaigns, and our members have won numerous victories that have made Mid-South
workplaces more just. As an active affiliate of the national organization Interfaith Worker Justice,
we also learn more and share with other religious and community organizations engaged in
worker rights organizations.

Since our founding, WIN has involved thousands of people of faith, workers, and workers allies in
campaigns that address the roots causes of poverty through seeking workplace justice. We
believe working conditions and wages are best improved through institutional changes, including
workers exercising their right to organize and bargain collectively without harassment from their
employers, as well as through local, state, and federal public policies that uphold workers' rights.