Join us on Monday, August 4th at 5:30pm outside the Pathfinder’s Office in Milwaukee as we welcome OPEIU Local 39’s newest Union to the world!

Pathfinders Milwaukee formed in 1970 for Milwaukee’s homeless and runaway youth and continues to be an essential resource to the youth of Milwaukee who are facing crisis and who have needs for comfort, care and support. The workers enter the facilities each day with their hearts open to youth as young as ten years old and successfully carry each youth to a place where they can be safe and thrive. The workers are proud to be a part of the mission, and some have been that young person themselves only years ago. Each worker is sincere in their role and understands the fragility of those who come asking for strength.  

However, as Pathfinders has grown, staff have noted a pattern of insufficient training, abrupt and sometimes retaliatory terminations, and ambiguity and inconsistency in wages and raises. These issues, and the lack of transparency around them, is causing dedicated workers to rethink their future with Pathfinders. The work is already mentally and emotionally heavy, so improving conditions, wages and job security will allow workers to be able to fully focus on empowering each young person who enters the facilities.

Today, Pathfinders employees marched on the boss to deliver a Voluntary Recognition Letter in hopes that they can begin bargaining swiftly and in good faith. Our Monday rally will demonstrate that we have support from employees, Local politicians, nonprofit organizations, and the community! See you there!