PORTRAITS

The union isn’t a place or thing, it’s people. Today, we're launching a new series called Portraits, featuring workers who are standing up for positive change in their job. 

Name: Rachele Smith
Age: 23 

Job: PBX Operator at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Irvine, Calif. (a non-union hotel)

Hometown: Costa Mesa, Calif.

Why did you join the union? My mom worked as a hotel housekeeper most of my life. Her body was beat up by it. It took a toll on our family. My father always said, "put your head down and work." I never thought I could change things. But when I realized people were organizing in my hotel, I felt a change in me. When I went to my first committee meeting, I realized everyone was angry about short staffing, forced overtime and not getting breaks. I wasn't alone. And I realized, if everyone is angry about it, we're not wrong. When we took our breaks, as we have a right to, it felt like a giant weight off my shoulders. Suddenly, I felt I didn't have to be afraid of our managers. Managers started staffing better and they came in early!  We had power all along. We just had to recognize it. 

You still haven't won the union in your hotel. What keeps you going? From the beginning we knew it wouldn't be easy. The hotel company has a lot of money, and they fight us. I believe the company wants us to lose faith, get sick of fighting and give up. But I won't. It sounds cheesy, but it's the people I'm fighting alongside who keep me going. It's the unity of workers, supporters and organizers---we keep each other going.  

Lately you've been spending time in Long Beach collecting signatures for the Living Wage campaign? Why? Because she earned so little per hour, my Mom had to take extra shifts at work and she missed my school meetings and events while I was growing up. I hated it. That's exactly what's going on in Long Beach. It's housekeepers making $8 or $9 an hour, working extra jobs at night and missing their kids' lives. By passing a Living Wage and requiring big hotels to pay workers $13 an hour, we can change this. It will be on the November ballot and Long Beach voters will decide. 

What do you like to do when you're not organizing to change the world? I really like photography. Life moves really fast, and I have a bad memory. Taking snapshots of the things that happen day to day keep me grounded. Right now I'm into 35mm film. Everyone needs to something that is just for them. Photography is that for me. 

Do you know a friend or co-worker who is making a difference in the union?  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it We will feature them in Portraits.