Union supporters rally in Watsonville for Labor Day
Union supporters were rallying during the Labor Day holiday in Watsonville, Monday.
The event across from Watsonville City Plaza was organized by a group of unions. After about an hour, the attendees crossed the street, marching to the corner of Main Street and Beach Street. They displayed signs with pro-union messages, asking for fair treatment for people in the workplace.
The people there on Monday came from different industries, but were all there to support organized labor – something they say is necessary.
Anna Rodriguez is a family child care provider in Watsonville. She tells KION things can be a lot better in her line of work. “(We have) long working hours, very low pay, and we have zero benefits. (It is) very simple. We are fighting for collective bargaining rights.”
A similar sentiment was made by Alicia Metters, a social worker with child protective services in Monterey County. “Fair wages, healthcare, resources. Because we are members of the communities that we serve.” Metters adds, “we recently had a court decision that said you don’t need to be a union payer to be a part of the union. And have the services and resources that come wth the union. What we are trying to reiterate to the community is that we have to stay together, we have to be members, we have to be unified. There are powers that be that want us to fall apart.”
