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Why We Must Fight for 15 and a Union
My name is Angel Rivera. Like the Fight for 15 workers who are protesting across the country today, I know what it's like to work hard, but be unable to get by because of poverty wages and an employer that doesn't respect your rights. But, thanks be to God, I also know that hard work can be rewarded when you win a union and better wages.
Apr 15, 2015
My name is Angel Rivera. Like the Fight for 15 workers who are protesting across the country today, I know what it's like to work hard, but be unable to get by because of poverty wages and an employer that doesn't respect your rights. But, thanks be to God, I also know that hard work can be rewarded when you win a union and better wages.
I moved from Puerto Rico to Boston for better work and a better future for my children. For the last two years I have been working as a cleaner at Logan International Airport. Two years, two jobs, the same airport, but worlds apart.
Low pay, abuse and disrespect were common currency when I worked as a cabin cleaner for my previous employer. I earned $8 an hour, working nights and as many extra hours as I could in order to support my family.
But this meant that I couldn't spend time with my four children, and no matter how much I worked, I couldn't pay all my bills. I needed government help to cover my heating costs, health care, and childcare. It got so bad for a time that my children and girlfriend lived in a homeless shelter while I stayed with friends.
I wasn't the only one going through this. For me and my co-workers, not being able to pay bills, relying on government assistance, and even being separated from our families were all too common.
Then, when I talked with my coworkers about forming a union in order to change our work conditions, I was fired.
Luckily, I found another job. This time cleaning at Logan with a union company. The union changed my life.
Instead of poverty wages I now get paid $17 an hour, I have quality health care that my company provides, and paid sick and vacation days. My company takes health and safety seriously. And if I have a problem at work, the union can work with the company to solve it.
Today, my family is all by my side and under one roof. We are financially stable and have a better life. I can take a vacation day from time to time to spend time with my kids.
My former non-union coworkers work hard every day and want a better life for their families too. The only difference between us is that I have a union, and that changed everything.
I continue to tell my story and stand with my former coworkers because they deserve the same thing I have--decent wages, economic stability, and respect on the job that comes with a union contract. It is also what the Fight for 15 workers are fighting for and deserve.
We are strong when we are together and that's why I'm proud to be a union member. Shouldn't that be the norm?
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
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Angel Rivera
Angel Rivera is a cleaner at Logan Airport and a member of 32BJ SEIU, one of the fastest growing private sector unions in the country.
My name is Angel Rivera. Like the Fight for 15 workers who are protesting across the country today, I know what it's like to work hard, but be unable to get by because of poverty wages and an employer that doesn't respect your rights. But, thanks be to God, I also know that hard work can be rewarded when you win a union and better wages.
I moved from Puerto Rico to Boston for better work and a better future for my children. For the last two years I have been working as a cleaner at Logan International Airport. Two years, two jobs, the same airport, but worlds apart.
Low pay, abuse and disrespect were common currency when I worked as a cabin cleaner for my previous employer. I earned $8 an hour, working nights and as many extra hours as I could in order to support my family.
But this meant that I couldn't spend time with my four children, and no matter how much I worked, I couldn't pay all my bills. I needed government help to cover my heating costs, health care, and childcare. It got so bad for a time that my children and girlfriend lived in a homeless shelter while I stayed with friends.
I wasn't the only one going through this. For me and my co-workers, not being able to pay bills, relying on government assistance, and even being separated from our families were all too common.
Then, when I talked with my coworkers about forming a union in order to change our work conditions, I was fired.
Luckily, I found another job. This time cleaning at Logan with a union company. The union changed my life.
Instead of poverty wages I now get paid $17 an hour, I have quality health care that my company provides, and paid sick and vacation days. My company takes health and safety seriously. And if I have a problem at work, the union can work with the company to solve it.
Today, my family is all by my side and under one roof. We are financially stable and have a better life. I can take a vacation day from time to time to spend time with my kids.
My former non-union coworkers work hard every day and want a better life for their families too. The only difference between us is that I have a union, and that changed everything.
I continue to tell my story and stand with my former coworkers because they deserve the same thing I have--decent wages, economic stability, and respect on the job that comes with a union contract. It is also what the Fight for 15 workers are fighting for and deserve.
We are strong when we are together and that's why I'm proud to be a union member. Shouldn't that be the norm?
Angel Rivera
Angel Rivera is a cleaner at Logan Airport and a member of 32BJ SEIU, one of the fastest growing private sector unions in the country.
My name is Angel Rivera. Like the Fight for 15 workers who are protesting across the country today, I know what it's like to work hard, but be unable to get by because of poverty wages and an employer that doesn't respect your rights. But, thanks be to God, I also know that hard work can be rewarded when you win a union and better wages.
I moved from Puerto Rico to Boston for better work and a better future for my children. For the last two years I have been working as a cleaner at Logan International Airport. Two years, two jobs, the same airport, but worlds apart.
Low pay, abuse and disrespect were common currency when I worked as a cabin cleaner for my previous employer. I earned $8 an hour, working nights and as many extra hours as I could in order to support my family.
But this meant that I couldn't spend time with my four children, and no matter how much I worked, I couldn't pay all my bills. I needed government help to cover my heating costs, health care, and childcare. It got so bad for a time that my children and girlfriend lived in a homeless shelter while I stayed with friends.
I wasn't the only one going through this. For me and my co-workers, not being able to pay bills, relying on government assistance, and even being separated from our families were all too common.
Then, when I talked with my coworkers about forming a union in order to change our work conditions, I was fired.
Luckily, I found another job. This time cleaning at Logan with a union company. The union changed my life.
Instead of poverty wages I now get paid $17 an hour, I have quality health care that my company provides, and paid sick and vacation days. My company takes health and safety seriously. And if I have a problem at work, the union can work with the company to solve it.
Today, my family is all by my side and under one roof. We are financially stable and have a better life. I can take a vacation day from time to time to spend time with my kids.
My former non-union coworkers work hard every day and want a better life for their families too. The only difference between us is that I have a union, and that changed everything.
I continue to tell my story and stand with my former coworkers because they deserve the same thing I have--decent wages, economic stability, and respect on the job that comes with a union contract. It is also what the Fight for 15 workers are fighting for and deserve.
We are strong when we are together and that's why I'm proud to be a union member. Shouldn't that be the norm?
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