
Women Building California Conference 2010
Organized Labor
Ronald Lewis and Chantel Denise Lewis, IBEW Local 6
One focus of the conference was how to survive the hard times. IBEW Local 6 member Chantel Denise Lewis facilitated a workshop on survival tips, where participants shared suggestions on how to save money and survive in hard times. They talked about everything from buying bulk food to making use of food pantries to clothing swaps and union benevolent funds.
Chantel and her husband, Ronald, are both electricians. They met in the IBEW Local 6 apprenticeship program 14 years ago and have been active union members ever since. They have both been out of work for two years. What's been their secret for surviving the downturn?
Chantel
It's difficult, but we can get through anything if we keep talking. We have communicated through all the times when money is really tight and there is nothing to do but argue, but we still got through it. And we're still together. We also treat ourselves every now and then, like going to the movies. Otherwise, why keep going on?
Ronald
I'm absolutely convinced that there is a bounce back coming. We need to do what we've tried to do these last couple years, and that is to stay positive and realize that if we hang on, we will be rewarded at the end. And we're not alone.