Neka

Neka, 30, has been laid off from her job at the Levi-Strauss distribution center four times in as many years. The current layoff is the longest yet, lasting at least one month. When she is working, the distribution center can't always guarantee 40 hours. Neka must call in each morning to check if they will need her that day.

My Story
I've come to expect the temporary layoffs at the Levi center, but that doesn't mean that I like them. Work is so slow at the plant that we have to call each morning to see if we're needed. Since all the manufacturing was outsourced, our distribution center is often bypassed by suppliers. For the past two months, I've been applying elsewhere, but no one else is hiring. I'm forced to live on the edge because there's nothing better out there right now.

I had just returned to work when I was laid off again. It's a lot of stress worrying about when the next layoff will come. And when I am working, there's the added stress that I won't be given 40 hours that week.

I have two girls to worry about. The bills don't stop just because I've been laid off or can't get enough hours. The school and our church still need help, too. In addition, I help my mother with her bills. Of course, I can't do that when I'm not working. My husband and I have been trying to build up our savings for our children's future.

There isn't any opportunity in Tchula, and it feels like there aren't any businesses left in the community. I already have to commute an hour to get to the Levi's plant in Canton. My husband is a barber, but his clients don't want to pay more than $10 for a haircut. We're thinking about moving to a larger town or city where there will be more opportunities.

It's impossible to plan for the future when I don't know if I will have work tomorrow. No one has job security anymore; you just can't depend on anything.