Tomekka Thompson

The company that I work for does not discipline or promote fairly. At my site, I have seen newly hired officers walking off the job only to be transferred to another site where they make better wages.

As a security guard working for an industry with such high turnover, I am required to have a flexible schedule. The last time I tried to approach HR with a scheduling concern, I was told that I had the option of resigning. I know I could never dare risk losing my job in this way given my responsibilities as a single mom.

It's hard enough to survive off the pitiful wages that I already receive. At $10.25 an hour, I make less than $1500 a month. Combined with my son's afterschool program, his day program, the $100 I pay every two weeks, and the two courses I am attempting to take at Bunker Hill Community College, there is barely enough for groceries for our family of two. I am constantly in fear of being dropped from Mass Health and having to pay out of pocket for my health-care.

I am determined to do whatever it takes to better my life and that of my six year old son. As things stand, I believe that the only choice is to fight for a good wages, health-insurance, and respect for my brothers and sisters working as security officers in downtown Boston.

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