by Sergio D. Acosta—Missouri
I met with a young man that was passionate about ending tax credits to big corporations that send American “blue collar” jobs out of the country.
It was awesome to talk with someone that understood the struggle and supported our cause.
Tags: Jobs, outsourcing
by DeAndra McCollum—Ohio
One of the great inspirations that I had on turf was when I knocked on an elderly person’s door. I was told her who I was, and explained that I was fighting to keep jobs in Ohio and lower the cost of health care. She said it was a coincidence because her husband’s job was just shipped to Mexico and told me how hard it was for them to pay their bills. They may lose their home pretty soon if her husband did not start doing something. The only income she had was the disability she receives of $600 a month and she thanked me for what I was doing and said good luck to me. So that made me feel great that I was doing something to help someone especially an elderly person.
Tags: Health Care, Jobs, outsourcing
by Jennifer Hofelich—Pennsylvania
This elderly woman I spoke to in Duryea, PA told me that many years ago she was hurt in a fork lift accident at her job, leaving her unable to work. Years later, her company shipped their jobs overseas along with her health care benefits. She has had two strokes since and is relying on Medicare to pay 80% of her medical costs.
She went on to describe the horror her family has endured fighting the health care system. But as she recounted tales of cancer, strokes and not being able to pay, her eyes welled with tears and her face with sorrow.
I talk to people all the time about job outsourcing and the health care crisis, but this conversation was especially disturbing. As I watched tears stream down her face, I was reminded just how REAL these problems are…and that they happen to REAL people and REAL families in this country-EVERY SINGLE DAY!
Tags: Health Care, Jobs, outsourcing
by Chris Antonneau—Michigan
We were out canvassing in Royal Oak, MI the other night when I met this great older lady. I talked with her about the importance of correcting the problems with our health care system. She agreed we need change and need it soon. She signed up as a member and was also willing to help with her voluntary dues for the year. I thought to myself this lady is helping her state and country out greatly and maybe she will be willing to do more.
So then I talked to her about the need to pass “Hire MI First”—a plan to make sure Michigan workers build Michigan development. She wasn’t sure about writing a letter to her state representative at first. After I reminded her how important it is to let OUR politicians know how we feel, she said well I was just sitting around doing some scrap-booking so I should be able to write that letter for you.
About 20 minutes later, my coworker and I needed to wrap things up for the night, but before we did, we stopped by her house and sure enough. In her door was a great letter highlighting the importance of jobs in Michigan.
Tags: Health Care, Jobs, outsourcing, taking action
by Kara Kukovich—Pennsylvania
Recently, while canvassing in Forks Township, I knocked on a gentlemen’s door and told him we were fighting to keep our jobs from being outsourced. “Yeah, my job’s being outsourced,” he said. He said he worked for a company designing dyes and tools and that in August, his job is going to Mexico and China!
Tags: Jobs, membership, outsourcing
Ed Donaldson has an inspiring story about a member who was so motivated by our work that she came with him to canvass her whole neighborhood.
Tags: membership, taking action, video
Curtis Neff signs up a member who reminds him of the importance of our work.
Tags: Health Care, membership, video
Chris Antonneau speaks with a Marine family about health care. At first they’re not sure the issue affects them, but Chris lets them know about the struggle for children’s health care and it becomes clear — the need for quality affordable health care for all affects all of us.
Tags: Health Care, taking action, video
Chris Antonneau finds a new member who’s concerned about toxic toys, and offers him a solution that can help keep his child safe.
Tags: children, taking action, video
by Erica Caldwell—Pennsylvania
I spoke with one older woman who answered the door in scrubs. As soon as I mentioned that health care costs are rising five times faster than inflation, she started shaking he heard emphatically. She told me that she worked at the hospital as a secretary. The doctors and nurses told her and the other secretaries that they were shocked that they even worked at the hospital because the copays on their health care plan were so horrible they weren’t affordable for the pay they made.
Tags: Health Care, membership
