Western Service Workers Association
Western Service Workers Association (WSWA) is a free and voluntary private membership association built by and for our membership of low-income service, domestic, in-home care, part-time and temporary workers since 1977. WSWA is entirely volunteer run, without a dime of government or other “strings attached” funds. WSWA seeks to eradicate the poverty status of this majority segment of the workforce, and achieve a means to determine our own collective destiny.
THE FIGHT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE BEGINS WITH US
We cannot afford to wait!
Volunteers are urgently needed to join the just struggle of low-income service workers to end our poverty conditions.
Illustration by Jorge Mascarenhas
WSWA members work in food service and retail, as childcare workers and home caregivers, in construction, and in seasonal and other service worker jobs. Although our work is essential for the functioning of society, we receive poverty wages and often must work two or three jobs and/or back-to-back full shifts, six or seven days a week just to cover household bills. As the cost for electricity, food and health care rise, many families are left with an untenable “choice” between paying for heating or eating.
- Nearly 1 in 5 children and 1 in 7 adults in Shasta County live in poverty.
- With inflation at a 40 year high, most low-paid service, part-time and seasonal workers have not been able to even secure a single month’s worth of expenses in savings to put toward emergencies.
- A living wage for a Shasta County resident supporting a family is $34.96, but the average wage is only $19.77.
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Purpose
Western Service Workers Association members work together with concerned citizens, students and clergy to meet some of our immediate survival needs, enabling us to take a leadership role in our organization to forge long-term solutions to our poverty conditions.
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History
WSWA began in 1977 when concerned citizens and low-income workers in Shasta County decided to build our own association and create permanent solutions to the economic injustices we face. WSWA has been entirely volunteer run since our inception.
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Get Involved
With your volunteer participation, WSWA members can win the fight to determine our own fate and future. Your participation is needed to make that hope a reality!
WSWA: Green Since 1977
Service Worker’s Fight for Justice
Join the Area’s
Lowest-paid Workers
to Win Victories
Through the combined efforts of WSWA members and volunteers, we can meet some of our immediate survival needs while taking a leadership role in organizing strength in organization. With your volunteer participation, WSWA members can succeed in building a united voice to determine our own future. Your participation is needed to make that a reality!