Only in America can you work 3 jobs
by Erin Brainard—Colorado
This week at a door I met a single mother of three who was working three jobs to get by. She said she slept an average of three to four hours a night. She said that she had gotten a promotion recently at one of her jobs but because she was salary she was not eligible for overtime. Therefore even though she had more responsibility & was working a great deal more she was actually making far less per hour than she had been previously.
Three Dues Paying Members in One Second
by Jon Caldwell—Ohio
Yesterday in Mt. Healthy I walked up to three people talking by their cars. I told them about Ohio's job loss, and they could relate. They all signed up as members and signed EFCA postcards. When it came for dues they all said they wished they could but they had no money on them at that time. I thanked them for their support and made my way back to the rest of my call-backs. After 5-7 minutes one of the guys drove to find me with a dues payment for him and both of his friends.
Health care nightmare
by Michael Dice—Colorado
While canvassing, I signed up a new member for Working America who is passionate about health care reform in this country. She was diagnosed several years ago with a serious autoimmune disease. She was forced to take medical retirement from a good job in California and to move to Colorado to be near family members to assist her with her physical needs. Her latest hospital bill was $95,000 dollars and she may have to file bankruptcy as a result. She had a very compelling story and wants to help out!
Paying her dues
by Sheldon Vaughn—Colorado
Yesterday while canvassing, I met a woman outside her home who was nothing short of amazing. I approached her and gave my intro and she immediately was hooked on the idea of Working America...
“Say no more!”
by Michael Dice—Colorado
During my first few days of canvassing, a lady interrupted my introduction, grabbed my clipboard and said emphatically, "That's enough! Say no more!" She grabbed my clipboard...
What the union meant to him
by E B—Colorado
This week I met a rather interesting man who began his career over fifty years ago in a unionized company manufacturing flooring. It was great to hear about unions from his perspective.
When he began working he would contribute twenty five cents a day to his pension which was matched by his employer. By the time he retired the amount was closer to fifty six cents an hour...
Sowing the seeds of change
by E B—Colorado
Today I met a fascinating man while canvassing in Thornton, Colorado. He is nearing his eightieth birthday and is still working part-time as a security guard to make ends meet. This hard working American had been fired just months before he was to receive retirement...
They brightened my day
by Rachelle Paynter—Colorado
We've all had those nights where we feel like it cannot get any better. It could be a matter of the weather or you may have worn the wrong shoes on turf.
A few days ago I was having one of these nights...
A glimmer of hope
by Rachelle Paynter—Colorado
I've been in Colorado for a month now. The people here are amazing, but one woman in particular stands out in my mind. I was canvassing in Thornton, Colorado, which is an area that has been devastated by massive amounts of foreclosures. I met a woman who had been laid off at her job recently...
