“I moved here from Guerrero, Mexico, with my family when I was 19. I’m about to turn 50 and I’ve been working in packing all of this time.
My most recent job was demanding. We did a range of tasks, from packing to quality control. We sorted apples, pears and other products, throwing away rotten fruit, repackaging the good ones.
I enjoyed my work, even though the hours were long, and I heard other people complaining about unfair company rules. But the pay was good and when the company needed people to work extra hours, I was one of the first to say I would.
The year COVID hit, we got our cherries from California and they were full of worms. We had to check every cherry, standing and packing for 16 hours a day. I would have to move from one station to another: into the freezing room where the cherries were sorted and then outside into the terrible heat.
COVID made everything harder. We had to maintain social distancing and take extra precautions. It was not well organized. Although people were supposed to stand three to four feet apart, it was not possible. Fruit would fall on the floor. I missed my lunch break more than once.
Then I got COVID – and was fired for it. After all my hard work, I suddenly had no job, no income. Everything lost balance.
I was living in a trailer with my siblings, my youngest daughter, and granddaughter. After I was fired, I couldn’t afford the rent. A few friends would leave food on my doorway because of COVID. We tried to take care of each other.
It was hard, painful. Before that happened, I was thinking about buying a trailer and I was saving my money. But I soon had to move out, and my siblings and daughter had to find their own places to live.
I struggled with depression. I thought my dreams were over.
I began looking for legal advice with a co-worker who had also been fired. A few attorneys advised me to do nothing. But we needed to address the injustice.
Finally, I found the Northwest Justice Project (NJP). They said they wouldn’t charge me and they took my case. NJP provided crucial support, guiding me through the legal process.
I wanted the company to know that what they did to me and to the people working for them was wrong. It was no way to treat people. We were working there so we could achieve our goal, the American dream, to get what we want through our hard work. They didn’t see the value of their employees.
I wanted to prevent this injustice from happening again to other hardworking people.
My voice was heard. NJP played a vital role, and we achieved justice. The company accepted that they were wrong and agreed to make changes in the rules and policies, especially regarding sick leave, and I received some compensation.
When I was fired, I thought everything was over. The support of my sister-in-law, my doctor, and my attorney got me through it. They were so helpful, so kind.
I learned that there is more to life than one company. When all of the dreams were shattered, I needed to fight to move forward, move on. I got through it with their support. I hope NJP continues to help even more people like me who do not have money to pay an attorney.
I won my battle.
You need to keep fighting.”
NOTE: In response to Beatriz’s legal challenge, the company significantly changed its sick leave policies and practices. It had previously created an atmosphere of fear that encouraged workers to endure difficult situations and remain silent. That culture contributed to the spread of COVID and other infectious diseases.
Learn more about NJP’s legal advocacy for farmworkers and their families.