The Fight for a Fair Economy is Our Fight.
By Savannah Sanford
Welfare Fraud Investigator, Los Angeles County
Like many of my fellow LA County workers, I am struggling to make ends meet in this tough economy. I work hard for modest pay, but I feel fortunate to have a job and a healthy family. I have a few friends and family members who have lost their jobs and know from watching the news that the economy is getting worse and worse.
The economy is devastated, unemployment is high, and now they are threatening to take away our protections and benefits. I have two daughters, how are they supposed to afford college or find a job in the future if we don't make changes today?
I hadn't been active in the union for many years but then my worksite organizer came to our office and told us about the Fight for a Fair Economy.
When I heard about corporations not paying their fair share and them
fighting to get rid of the unions by funding deceptive ballot petitions
to trick people, I was angry, shocked and motivated. That's when I knew
that I had to get involved. I decided to take time off of my job and
work with SEIU to fight for what I believe in.
During my time working on the "Fight for a Fair Economy" we participated in many actions and talked to many workers, but I was most impacted when we rallied with Warehouse Workers United in Chino, CA. We stood outside of a warehouse in over 100 degree weather and listened to stories from workers about the poor treatment and inhumane conditions they deal with on a daily basis.
I didn't believe something like this could happen in the U.S. in 2011. When Santos, the worker that shared with us on his break, was fired after telling his story I was even more appalled. We got together and fought for his job. It gave me great pride to put pressure on management and get his job back, but I am still very upset that their working conditions have not improved.
I've told the story of Santos and the warehouse workers to all my friends and family, and I will continue telling that story to help open people's eyes to what is really happening to workers in this economy. That is where the Fight for a Fair Economy starts, educating people on what is going on, getting them fired up the way my worksite organizer did for me.
If you believe that you, your children and grandchildren deserve the best opportunities and working conditions, then this is your fight.
During my time working on the "Fight for a Fair Economy" we participated in many actions and talked to many workers, but I was most impacted when we rallied with Warehouse Workers United in Chino, CA. We stood outside of a warehouse in over 100 degree weather and listened to stories from workers about the poor treatment and inhumane conditions they deal with on a daily basis.
I didn't believe something like this could happen in the U.S. in 2011. When Santos, the worker that shared with us on his break, was fired after telling his story I was even more appalled. We got together and fought for his job. It gave me great pride to put pressure on management and get his job back, but I am still very upset that their working conditions have not improved.
I've told the story of Santos and the warehouse workers to all my friends and family, and I will continue telling that story to help open people's eyes to what is really happening to workers in this economy. That is where the Fight for a Fair Economy starts, educating people on what is going on, getting them fired up the way my worksite organizer did for me.
If you believe that you, your children and grandchildren deserve the best opportunities and working conditions, then this is your fight.
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