Worker stories

  • Nancy Morin

    nancymorintn.jpgNancy hopes that she and other SEIU janitors will win better wages and access to health care soon so she and her family can begin to climb out of poverty. Her life has been hard, but she's not giving up. "I draw my strength from my two sons," she says, "and I hope things will get better through the union."

  • Mirna Blanco

    mirnablancotn.jpgYoung Jennifer also understands what her mother and other janitors are fighting for. As she says, "We are fighting because there isn't enough money to buy food or to go to the doctor."


  • Maria Villela

    mariavillelatn.jpg"Sometimes we can't pay for rent. Sometimes it's the electric bill and we can only pay for half. The kids need clothing and shoes for school, but we just can't buy it."

  • Juana Perez

    juanapereztn.jpgShe tries her best to provide a good future for her kids but her poverty wages makes it challenging. "On many occasions I've had to choose between paying bills and putting food in the fridge. It makes me sad," she says.

  • Idalverta Vega

    idalvertavegatn.jpg"Everyone comes to this country searching for a better life. Many never make it -- they die on the way in the desert," says Idalverta. "We will go out and march again if it's necessary. We have to continue the struggle."


  • Ana Leticia Salvador

    analeticiatn.jpgIn many ways, Ana Leticia Salvador is no different than other moms--she works hard to provide for her daughters Andrea and Raquel and dreams of one day being able to send them to college.

  • Alma Hernandez

    almahernandeztn.jpgAs a janitor for One Source earning only $5.15 an hour, saving up enough money to bring her two children from Mexico is difficult.

  • Eleonora Parada

    paradatn.jpg"To stand up and defend the rights we have as human beings, that's in my blood."

  • Angelina Quintanilla

    quintanillatn.jpgNot being able to afford a vehicle almost cost Angelina her life.

  • Aurora Villareal

    villarealtn.jpgExpected to do eight hours worth of work for only four hours worth of pay.

  • Concepción Landeros

    landerostn.jpgRegularly misses doctors' appointments for her diabetes because she can't afford them.

  • Ercilia Sandoval

    sandovaltn.jpgTheir worst nightmare was realized when Ercilia went to the emergency room for pains in her chest and was diagnosed with breast cancer.

  • Flor Camacho

    camachotn.jpgWorks three jobs to make ends meet; suffers from gastritis.

  • Flora Aguilar

    faquilartn.jpgLost feeling in her wrist due to a job injury and was 'expected to cure herself.'

  • Lidia Aguilar

    aquilartn.jpgNine-year-old daughter Mayra attends the workers' meetings and knows you have to fight to defend your rights.

  • Maria Luisa Berlanga

    berlangatn.jpgNeeds health insurance for her three-year-old son Andres.