While attending the National Autonomous University in Mexico
City, Norma Castro aspired to be a successful journalist in
Mexico.
But while working as a student journalist, Castro said she began
to realize the limited economic opportunity in her home
country.
It’s very hard to earn a decent living in Mexico, she
said.
Castro, a 39-year-old striking union worker, has had her fair
share of disruptions while searching for a better life since
immigrating from Mexico over 15 years ago. But recently her life
has become plagued with feelings of helplessness as she experiences
a combination of hardships she travelled over 1,000 miles to
avoid.
Regardless of people’s opinions toward the labor dispute
between the supermarket chains and the United Food and Commercial
Workers union, those on both sides of the debate agree on one fact:
Strikes upset human lives and livelihoods.
Castro has worked for Ralphs in Westwood for 10 years now.
Her husband, Pedro, who currently works as a bellboy at Holiday
Inn in Burbank, also worked for Ralphs for eight years but quit
after a pay raise dispute.
Together, they hope their economic troubles teach their four
children the importance of continuing their education.
“I tell them the truth (about the labor dispute),”
Castro said. “And I hope they see the importance to do better
in school.”
But recently, the economic implications of the strike have
become more profoundly felt.
Castro’s father, Raul Trejo, died two weeks ago, leaving
her mother, Teresa, grieving and alone in Mexico City.
For many years Castro has sent between $300 to $400 to her
parents, helping them maintain their health and lifestyle.
Due to the strike’s timing, Castro now cannot afford to
send financial aid to her mother.
But Castro said it is not that she cannot send money to her
mother that bothers her the most.
What hurts Castro is that she cannot afford to comfort and
console her mother.
“It’s so recent. It still hurts,” she said,
visibly trying to hold back her tears.
Though Castro has considered seeking a part-time job while the
strike is in progress, she hesitates because of the potentially
negative effects it may have on the strike.
“If enough (strikers) get other jobs, then people will
think we don’t care about our benefits,” she said.
“Who else is going to stand in the picket lines?”
Castro plans to file for unemployment benefits to augment the
money she receives from the union strike fund, currently $40 a day
for six hours of picketing.
Despite her current circumstances, Norma does enjoy a few simple
pleasures in light of the strike.
Her children, who are 17, 16, 9 and 4 years of age, have
frequently come to stand with their mother in the picket line,
drawing the support of passing cars and pedestrians.
Spending more time with her family has given Norma a great
source of enjoyment and strength.
“It helps people see that we are more than just workers.
We have families, too,” she said.
And while standing in the picket line, Castro has a newfound
appreciation for her religious faith.
“I pray often ““ at least once a day,” she
said. “We’re a very religious family.”
And despite her obstacles, Castro holds on to her dreams.
“I’m really busy with work and my family, but
I’d like to (become a journalist) someday,” she
said.