Cy PresDirectingClass ActionResidualsto InterfaithWorker Justice

ImprovingConditions for Workersin Low-Wage Jobs

Mission: Worker JusticeInterfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) is a non-pro�t 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to improve wages, bene�ts, and working conditions for workers, especially workers in low-wage jobs.

IWJ is the leading national interfaith organization promoting the rights of work-ers. It creates partnerships between workers, religious leaders, attorneys and government agencies that protect worker rights.

Since its founding in 1996, IWJ has consis-tently stood for the protection of disadvan-taged workers regardless of faith tradition, race, ethnicity, gender or immigration status. Over the past decade, IWJ has grown in size from a single o�ce based in Chicago into a national organization with more than 60 a�liates in 22 states. It has created a network of interfaith workers’ centers that provide a safe space for workers to learn about their rights and take concrete steps to improve their workplace conditions. Workers’ centers help workers by �ling wage claims with government agencies, sponsoring legal clinics, developing worker rights educational resources and educating workers and on their rights in the workplace.

IWJ has helped obtain over two million dollars in back wages for low-wage families and assists over 30,000 workers per year in campaigns to improve wages, bene�ts and working conditions

Cy pres funds will help IWJ further its mission of protecting the rights of low-wage workers.

�e “Next Best Use”of Unclaimed FundsYou can help make access to justice a reality for more working families by proposing that unclaimed funds be designated to Interfaith Worker Justice.

Awarding cy pres funds to Interfaith Worker Justice would help further the aims of class action suits addressing workplace problems. Examples of cases might involve:

● Unpaid wages● Unpaid bene�ts● Discrimination● Workplace injuries

For more information on designating cy pres awards to IWJ, please call or write:

Kim BoboExecutive DirectorInterfaith Worker Justice1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., 4th Fl.Chicago, IL 60660(773) 728-8400 x13

For more information on IWJ’s work, please visit www.iwj.org.

DirectingCy PresClass ActionResidualsto InterfaithWorker Justice

ImprovingConditions for Workersin Low-Wage Jobs

Cy Pres – “Next Best Use”of Unclaimed Funds�e cy pres doctrine (from the Norman French term cy pres comme possible meaning “as near as possible”) is a court-approved method of distributing a damage fund when the original cannot be achieved.

In class action lawsuits, if there is to be a payment of damages to class members, a fund is created. A�er class members’ claims are paid, there is o�en an amount remaining. Under the doctrine of cy pres, judges and class counsel can recommend that residual funds be distributed to the “next best” use.

�e cy pres remedy can also be used for the entirety of a statutory damage award when the amount of damages to each class member is too small to warrant distribution.

Interfaith Worker Justice seeks to protect workers from injustices similar to those litigated in workplace-related class action lawsuits. �e work IWJ does makes it an appropriate recipient of cy pres funds from cases involving workers and problems in the workplace.

Consider Interfaith Worker Justice for cy pres awards of residual funds from cases involving:

● Unpaid wages● Unpaid bene�ts● Workplace injuries● Discrimination

Because IWJ and its workers’ centers serve so many immigrant workers, it is also a good �t for many cases involving immigrants.

IWJ InitiativesInterfaith Worker Justice has many worker rights initiatives that could be supported or expanded with cy pres awards, including:

Workers’ Centers: IWJ has a network of 19 workers’ centers that help workers address workplace problems. �ese centers, with multi-lingual sta� and ties with religious communities, are grassroots operations that have the trust of workers, especially immigrant workers. Cy pres awards could help expand the capacity of existing centers and add centers in more communities.

Workers’ Rights Materials: IWJ publishes user-friendly educational materials on workers’ rights by state in English and Spanish. Currently, there are materials for nine states. Cy pres awards could help fund the creation of materials for more states and expand distribu-tion to reach more workers.

Workers’ Rights Website: IWJ is developing a user-friendly, yet comprehensive worker advocacy website that provides tools and resources to empower workers to learn their rights and advocate for themselves. Cy pres awards could help IWJ expand its web-based workers’ rights resources.

IWJ Makes Cy Pres SimpleInterfaith Worker Justice acknowledges the work that goes into preparing cy pres awards. To make it easy for attorneys and judges to include IWJ in a settlement agreement, IWJ can provide:

● Sample orders approving IWJ as a cy pres recipient.

● Sample projects that the cy pres awards might fund.

● Senior sta� availability to meet with counsel or provide testimony at fairness hearings.

● Quick turnaround on general documents, such as the 501(c)3 tax determination letter or annual report.

● Accounting for use of earmarked funds at the end of award period, if desired.

Making the Case for IWJ