Cheri Plummer

As a single mom, Cheri supports a household of 8 people on 13.30 an hour with kids ranging in age from 4 to 15. And all are without healthcare. Even during the interview, Cheri was in the middle of health crisis involving her oldest son.

“One doctor told me it could be a tumor; another said it might be a lesion. Every doctor has said a different thing.” Her son’s mouth is swollen, but because she works so many hours, is responsible for the household on her own, and has no healthcare for her children, she cannot simply take a week off work to support her son and make sure he receives adequate care.

“We go back tomorrow to see if they can’t do something for him. I’m hoping that I don’t have to pay that much on my son.”

Cheri has worked as a security guard for 4 years now, 2.5 of which have been at the Emeryville Bay Bridge Office Plaza.

For Cheri being part of the union symbolizes to her the support that she most needs. And, it helps her understand the line of work that she does while standing up for her children’s lives.

“I’m glad to be a part of it now. I’m benefiting now because I’m learning. Every day that I attend meetings at the bargaining table I learn something new. It helps me a lot more with my children.”

In the meantime, her son has received donations allowing him to receive medication alleviating some of the pain and discomfort he is going through. He is taking 4 different medications, and as of yet, has no assessment of what the problem is. His mouth is swollen, he can’t feel the left side of his cheek at all, and has little feeling in general in his mouth.