Organizing Homeworkers into Unions

“Holly should not be allowed to attend this workshop. She is single, but this workshop is going to talk about relationships between husbands and wives,” says Mrs. Yuen. Sixteen members of the Homeworkers’ Association (HWA) all laugh. Holly replies, “Ms. Ku is also single. If you ask me to leave, then you will also have to ask her to leave!” Ms. Ku, the workshop leader, explains that she is trained in recognizing the vital signs of a good marriage and in how to help people develop good conflict-solving and communication skills. Conversation continues. One homeworker states that her husband “is not listening; everything just goes into deaf ears.” Laughter and discussion about mothers-in-law and husbands continue over the two-hour session on a Sunday afternoon at the union office. ¹