Charles Bigham

Charles Bigham was born with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), an autoimmune disorder. About eight months into his new career at Ralphs, he developed an eye infection. The last Ralphs contract created a two tier employee system whereby the 2nd tier employees would not be eligible for healthcare benefits until after 18 months of employment (their families would not be eligible for benefits for another 12 months, after a full two- and-a-half years of employment). Charles is a 2nd tier employee and could not afford the medical care he needed for his eye. He postponed care hoping the infection would clear-up on its own. However, the infection quickly became so severe that his eye swelled shut. Charles was forced to go to the emergency room for help. His medical expenses drove him into bankruptcy and he was recently forced to move out of his apartment and into a motel.

Javier Ybarra

Javier Ybarra has worked for Albertsons for over 20 years. He was raised with a strong work ethic and believes in being loyal to his employer. He says he’s always felt there was an understanding between an employer and employee that if you worked hard, there would be rewards for you at the end of your career. Tears well up in Javier’s eyes when he talks about bitter details surrounding the last contract negotiation. He stressed that in his case, it was not a matter of striking. He was locked-out. After all the years of hard work and dedication to his employer, he felt hurt that they would turn their back on him and his family and force him off the premises. It took him many years to achieve middle-class status, buy a house, and build a comfortable life. Corporate greed is currently threatening the life he has worked hard to build. He is prepared to strike because he feels the CEOs of these corporations need to see the vast number of people who are opposed to and affected by their unfair labor practices. When asked to sum up how he feels about his employer after all these years of hard work and dedication he responds, “I think I would use [the word] ‘betrayed.’ Yeah, I feel betrayed.”

Doris Barlow

Doris Barlow has worked at Vons for 37 years. Her commitment to customers has kept her strong. Under the last contract, Vons changed their pension policy to max-out at 25 years. With this change, Doris lost years of contributions to her pension. She continues working because she does not feel secure, especially after the death of her husband a few years ago. In addition, she has not received a pay increase in years though the cost of living has drastically increased in Southern California. Though Doris has clearly paid her dues in work years and would like to retire, at this point in her life, it is not something she can afford.