Voices from Work (11/19/07)

SECURITY GUARD CHARLA FLETCHER: “I am more than Charla Fletcher the officer. I am also Charla Fletcher the mother and woman.” Fletcher, a security guard in downtown DC, is also a proud mother of three – five-year-old Chaquira, Damarcus 2, and 2-month-old Chaniya. Chaquira wants to take dance classes, Damarcus wants to play football when he turns five, and Fletcher would like all her children to take swimming lessons, but at her current salary, none of this is likely. Even taking off work to attend a school function is a luxury because Fletcher currently gets no paid sick or personal days and needs every dime to survive. When it comes to taking the kids to the doctors Fletcher says she couldn't do it without relying on her grandmother. "I write a note and she takes it to the appointment or calls me on my cell phone. That’s the only way I can be there." Fletcher’s employer provides health care coverage for her, but she can't afford family coverage and relies on government-provided health coverage to cover her kids, which is only available because her wages are so low. She must also rely on her family to provide childcare, because daycare would be too costly. Officer Fletcher dreams of a real family vacation but would settle for a good evening out with the kids. "We all live from pay check to pay check," Fletcher says. She’s talked to many other security officers who share the same problems. “I deserve better,” says Fletcher, who’s worked for five years as a security guard with different area companies. “I am tired of choosing between my kids and my own needs. Why can't my family have both?" In this new series, UNION CITY is proud to present mini portraits of DC-area workers. We’ll begin with District security officers, who joined SEIU 32BJ earlier this year and are currently bargaining a first contract.; if your local is interested in featuring your members, drop us a line at streetheat@dclaborarchives.org Meanwhile, if you would like to know more about Officer Fletcher's story, meet her in person at Lafayette Center on Wednesday, December 5 from 12:30 – 2P.