I am one of many struggling to make ends meet because of poor job management, disfunctional employment, and the high cost of living, especially in confines of our stagnating, gatekeeping city. Our system seems tailored to work against us - with its indifference to our unique circumstances and an expectation that we work through whatever adversities we encounter, no matter how unethical they may be.

It's time for our city's and our employers' systems to start reflecting the real needs of their employees. Thus, we are demanding better cost of living adjustments, which have been largely stagnant over the years while expenses have skyrocketed. Moreover, having a fair payment plan for those whose jobs don’t allow them to pay bills on time would alleviate so much financial stress.

These changes are essential: For example, a study conducted by the Economic Policy Institute found that nearly half of American families don't have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency, and the current system only exacerbates this issue (EPI, 2018).

Better job management and positive work environments must be prioritized. When workers are respected and voices are genuinely heard, productivity and job satisfaction can increase--improving outcomes not just for employees, but for businesses and communities, too.

I am not just speaking for myself, but for countless others who share this reality. We deserve a living wage and humane work conditions. We deserve to not spend every day in fear of the next unexpected expense, or the next bout of illness that we won't be able to afford to treat. We are not asking for charity, we're asking for fairness.

Please sign this petition to demand these changes - for you, for me, for all of us.