Connie and her 16 year old daughter Hannah enjoy gardening and spending time together. She was hired at Weston-Interbake in 2006 as a Machine Operator (Cracker Line) on line 5. The stipulation was, she would be trained on this line for the first shift and then move to the third shift. Connie became very good at what she did, and she was told by management that she would make a good Resource Leader (supervisor). Management's feelings quickly changed when they became aware of her union activities. Connie says, "I was naive and believed it was our right as American Citizens to campaign and organize as a Union without being harassed."
In late December 2007 and early January 2008, Connie and her co-workers started to get ready for a new union election. They were convinced that the overwhelming majority wouldn't be scared or fall for management's promises to fix things without a union. "I immediately signed a Union card and began talking with my co-workers about this new and exciting organizing drive," Connie said. "This year no-one will be fooled."
Unfortunately, Connie never got the chance to vote because management fired her before the NLRB election.
The company has challenged her unemployment and she had to fight for it. She continues to look for work but in this current economy she hasn't had any luck.
"I have no insurance and I'm still dealing with a knee injury that occurred on the job," said Connie. "All I wanted to do was a good job and I did. But because of my belief in helping my co-workers to organize, I have been terminated and forced to fight for dignity, justice and respect."
