Pathfinders Employee Collective Goes Public

On Wednesday, July 30th, 2025, employees at Pathfinders Milwaukee organized together as “Pathfinders Employee Collective” and petitioned the NLRB for a union representation election with OPEIU Local 39. Over 70% of employees have signed union authorization cards. Then, on Monday, August 4th, around 100 workers and supporters rallied in front of the Pathfinders office to demand Pathfinders management voluntarily recognize the union and agree to remain neutral. Notably, workers received statements of support from 33 members of the Wisconsin State Legislature and additional support from the Milwaukee Common Council and the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.

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. Workers are proud to be a part of the mission, and some have been that young person themselves only years ago. However, in recent years, employees have found that the care and empowerment they provide to their clients has not been reflected in the organization’s employment practices.

Rachel Janiak, a Street Outreach Coordinator at Pathfinders, states that “Staff working conditions and impactful, trauma-informed client services are intrinsically tied together. If staff come to work feeling unsupported, or unsafe, it can lead to burnout… that takes away from the consistency and support our youth are searching for.”

One of the workers’ top priorities is to curb a concerningly high employee turnover rate. In the last 6 months, over half a dozen workers were fired and a similar number have quit the organization. Often, fired workers receive no notice and are escorted off the premises without a chance to say goodbye to coworkers or provide an explanation to their clients. Many current employees also describe a hesitancy to bring issues and concerns to their supervisor for fear of retaliation. Aside from desiring better job safety and protections, unionizing workers are also fighting for higher wages, increased organizational transparency, and a seat at the decision-making table. Megan Gulland, a Youth and Family Advocate, has worked at the Pathfinders Shelter for almost a decade and believes unionizing will be a win-win for staff and clients. She says that “with a union, shelter staff can be empowered and supported so they are able to provide stronger and more effective care in a safe and healthy environment.”

Despite concerns about retaliation, worker-organizers are optimistic about the future of Pathfinders. Development Specialist Michael Clouthier expressed that “Pathfinders has always prided themselves on their 'Nothing for us without us' philosophy towards programming. Now that the workers are unionizing, we can show the community that we advocate for our youth while holistically practicing the tenets of a trauma-informed, empowerment-focused organization!”

Stay tuned as workers await a decision from the employer to voluntarily recognize the union or force an NLRB election. UNION STRONG!

Workers pose for a photo before marching on the boss to deliver a request for Voluntary Recognition.

Pathfinders workers at their Union Rally on August 4th!

Organizing Committee members and Pathfinders shelter employees Megan and Kam speak during the Union Rally.