Fidel and his team won $17,648 for 344 hours they spent painting at Trinity Heights luxury apartments in East Nashville. “When you are in this kind of struggle, there comes a point when you are no longer fighting for money, but for dignity. My message to other workers fighting for dignity is to not give up. Keep fighting, and let’s fight together.”

Fidel, worker at Trinity Heights luxury apartments

Won $17,648 for work completed at Trinity Heights luxury condos in East Nashville. “Over the course of 7 months there were days we would feel discouraged and we thought we weren’t going to win. We didn’t have answers. It was not until we started organizing the actions and applying pressure to the developer when we started to see changes in their way of responding to us. They became open to negotiate with us.”

Rolando, worker at Trinity Heights luxury apartments

Paid $513.20 for Margarita, Paid $484.94 for Isabel

Isabel:  We are doing this action so that our voices are heard because like us, there are many other housekeeping workers who have not been paid and who do not demand their pay due to fear and lack of information.

Margarita: If you support us, this could spark a drastic change against wage theft.

Margarita and Isabel, hotel workers at Hilton Garden Inn

Paid over $3,000 from Diversity Commercial Painting after fighting since February

“After insisting so long to that man that he pay me, he did finally pay, but it’s thanks to everyone who stood with me that I won back my wages.”

Ana, worker at Diversity Commercial Painting

Paid $3,000 for nearly eighty hours of painting he said he completed in Oct. 2018

“I am also asking [Capital City Construction] to hire contractors who fulfill their financial obligations to their workers,” said Valentín after getting his check. 

Valentin, worker at Capital City Construction

After 5/19 MCRU Budget action: “I depend on the bus system to get to work and get to all the things I do, to get to the National Federation of the Blind meetings, everything I do in the community. If they cut back, how am I supposed to get where I need to go?”

Sheila, member of Music City Riders United

After 5/19 MCRU Budget action: “People are suffering. We have to get to work, we have to get to school, and do other things. We cannot get around the city if we don’t have fully funded MTA. It’s not fair, it’s unacceptable. Our mayor said he wanted a city with equity. This is not equity, not for those of us suffering. We don’t want to walk a mile to the bus; we want to be able to go out and get to the bus safe. We shouldn’t have to decide between walking a mile to the bus stop or service ending before I get off of work.”

Angelique, organizer with MCRU

“We won because we’re all in this together, we’re not alone, we can rely on the support of each other at Worker’s Dignity. Together we can accomplish anything,”

Martha, worker at Target/Diversified

Paid in full, over $2,000

“When you join your fellow workers, you are no longer alone,” says Richar. ”You are backed up by others. Conquer your fear and join! When I joined Workers’ Dignity I was no longer alone, and here is the result – a success!” Richar’s fight was a family affair. His daughter Vanessa, who also joined Workers’ Dignity and co-led with her father during the months-long campaign, shares “on behalf of my dad and our family, thank you to everyone at Workers’ Dignity and in the community who stood with my dad throughout everything until this victory.”  

Richar, worker at TJ Maxx

Jenifer, a member of Workers’ Dignity, had announced a public protest at the Regal movie theater on Thompson Lane and was paid double the amount of her total wages owed just days before the planned protest! The protest was planned after months of attempts at negotiation. According to Jenifer, when she went to demand her wages from the contracting company, TX Empire Group, they told her that they never pay their workers their first week’s wages if they do not continue working past their first week. Jenifer explained that this victory was possible “thanks to the members of Workers’ Dignity who supported me. I encourage all workers who have had wage theft happen to them to speak up and defend their rights. Don’t be intimidated by bosses who mistreat you.”

Jenifer, worker for Regal Cinemas Hollywood 27

Just two days before a planned protest. Claudia was paid her full wages for work performed for a housekeeping agency at the Dallas on Elliston, a high-end apartment complex in Midtown Nashville. “Thanks to all the members, allies, and volunteers who supported this fight,” said Claudia. “Especially to all the advocates who always stood with us. Thanks to all the donors who with their contributions make Workers’ Dignity a strong and growing organization.”

Claudia, housekeeper at Dallas on Elliston

“My employers at Nana’s Diner tried to exploit me because I am Latino,” explained Mario. “They were abusive people to work for. I am very happy to finally be paid and I’m glad to be a part of Workers’ Dignity.  I know Ms. Caggiano has learned a few things now.”

Mario, former cook at Nana’z Diner