Solis Meets with Workers, Pledges to Fight Alongside Them

by Seth Michaels, Sep 14, 2009

After her inspiring speech at the 2009 AFL-CIO Convention, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis joined with workers in a private meeting to discuss their struggles in forming a union, struggles faced by workers across the country.

Shawn Williams, Xiaohong Colluci, Angel Rangel, Debbie Kaliff and Billie Jean Huggins got a chance to speak personally about the intimidation, harassment and mistreatment they’ve faced as they’ve struggled for fairness on the job. In her compassionate conversation with these workers, Solis proved she gets it—she understands what workers are going through. She promised to fight for good jobs, for workplace safety and for the freedom to form a union. She said she appreciated what all of the workers had to offer:

These are the stories we have to tell.

Thank you so much for your courage and leadership—this means a lot to all of us. We’re with you, the president is with you, and believe me, we’re going to change this country.

Solis said that she needed the courage and efforts of workers like them to help leaders in Washington push for health care, good jobs and appointees who will enforce workplace safety and fair pay laws:

We’re having a tough time. The opposition is so ingrained—I don’t think they realize they lost the election.

Williams, a transportation safety officer, said what workers need is the chance to bargain for a better life. She asked Solis to continue to fight for the Employee Free Choice Act:

We are fighting for collective bargaining rights. We don’t want anything more or less.

Solis also got a chance to hear concerns about safety enforcement and job security. She explained to them about the administration’s efforts to crack down on negligence and mistreatment of workers:

We’re going to do what we can to go after these violators, who aren’t obeying overtime rules, pay rules, who won’t report injuries or won’t allow workers’ compensation.

Solis also talked about her efforts to expand job training programs so that workers have a career path, not just a short-term job.

It’s exciting to have a secretary of labor and a voice in the administration who is not only interested in talking to the AFL-CIO Convention, but also one who’s genuinely concerned with listening to workers’ concerns and responding to their needs.

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