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JT Cestkowski

JT Cestkowski is a video and print journalist who has worked for several outlets in Wisconsin including WKOW and UpNorthNews. He now now travels the state writing freelance stories about worker organizing and water quality.

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JT's Latest Articles

A woman holds an anti-billionaire sign at a rally outside of Madison's Labor Temple on March 22. The sign reads "Millions of workers > few oligarchs."
As Trump takes the Act 10 playbook national, Wisconsin workers have lessons to share
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Politics
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March 31, 2025

The state's unions look back on the past 14 years from a place of both promise and great danger.

A photo shows two workers in blue "OPEIU" T-shirts holding up a banner that reads "ULP STRIKE. UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE" with the union logo. In the background can be seen a campus of office buildings.
TruStage workers have embarked on Madison’s largest strike since Act 10
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Politics
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May 21, 2023

Stalled union negotiations at the company formerly known as CUNA Mutual Group led to a strike as of May 19.

A photo shows an assortment of OPEIU Local 39 signs with slogans such as "Less than inflation is a pay cut" and "Job security now."
CUNA Mutual workers raise money and pressure ahead of a looming strike deadline
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Politics
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May 10, 2023

Workers are getting feisty as they threaten obstinate management with a historic work stoppage.

An illustration shows a horse wearing a police hat and a necklace that reads “Mom,” all placed within a gilded frame with a dollar sign at the top. Images of roses and diamonds float outside the frame.
At UW-Madison, a horse gets better parental leave than humans
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Politics
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May 3, 2023

If you want better benefits, consider changing career paths and species.

An illustration shows a group of small children standing in a line on a sidewalk. Behind them is a wall decorated with pictures of fruit, the planets, and vegetables.
Kids at a crucial stage, and a care industry on the precipice 
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Politics
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April 5, 2023

Part two of a two-part report on the Madison area’s broken childcare landscape.

An illustration shows a childcare worker playing with blocks with a small child. Both have their hands on a block, and the worker has turned away from the child with a tear running from their eye. In the background is a stuffed animal, a shelf of books, and a childlike drawing of cows.
A strained industry leaves Madison’s kids without care and workers without options
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Politics
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April 4, 2023

Part one of a two-part report on the Madison area’s broken childcare landscape.

A photo illustration shows a coiled boa constrictor overlaid on an old map of the downtown Madison isthmus.
How levy limits put Madison’s budget in a squeeze
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Politics
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December 13, 2022

Even a fast-growing city can't grow fast enough to overcome state property-tax caps and inflation.

Three fists are raised in front of a knight’s shield. The center fist is holding a pair of dice. An explosion radiates from behind the fists and shield; exploding out are a halo of polyhedral dice.
Workers roll for solidarity at a Fitchburg game retailer
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Politics
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December 8, 2022

Noble Knight Games voluntarily recognized the workers’ union after a month-long standoff.

A generic brick and vinyl commercial building
The un-crushable union drive at a Madison screen printing company
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Politics
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November 15, 2022

Workers at Crushin’ It Apparel fight to get their jobs back after the company’s owner abruptly closed up shop.

Worker Justice’s staff pose outside their office. Pictured left to right: Frida Ballard, Bowen Cao, Socorro Cortez, Robert Christl, Katrina Woods, Gretchen Baumgardt, Rebecca Meier-Rao, Caleigh Judd.
Worker Justice Wisconsin’s year of new tactics and deep thinking
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Politics
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October 25, 2022

Operating at the intersection of religion and politics, the Madison organization leads the charge against immigrant worker exploitation.