T.A. Jennifer Solis says “…being together as a union felt empowering!”
A few years ago, Union Avenue Elementary Teacher Assistant Jennifer Solis was laid off from Belmont High School.
“After I learned we might lose our jobs, I tried to advocate for TAs at a meeting of the committee making staffing decisions and they kicked me out! I remember I felt so humiliated,” says Jennifer. “I wish I’d known more about my union and my rights. We felt powerless. It was depressing. I was out of work for more than a year.”
Then Jennifer found her current TA position on the SEIU Local 99 website’s Jobs Clearinghouse.
“It was a lucky moment,” she says.
Jennifer is now much more active in her union. Her experience at Belmont taught her to read her contract whenever something doesn’t feel right at work. She and her colleagues are currently talking about getting even stronger at their worksite.
“There are several issues we want to work on together,” says Jennifer. “Sometimes we’re even scared to talk to each other about issues at school—but I learned that it’s important to join together and stand up for our rights.”
Jennifer and her co-workers got information they needed from their Local 99 Organizer and had a site meeting.
“Being together as a union at Union Elementary felt empowering! We started talking about having one of us become a Steward at our school or forming a school site team.
Even the usually quiet ones are now talking.”
