Happy 25th birthday to Fuerza Unida! On January 16, 1990 Levis shut down its plant on Zarzamora St. and moved its operation to Costa Rica, leaving 1,160 workers without retirement, severance, possibility of jobs elsewhere. Fuerza Unida, United in Strength, a sewing cooperative, was born from there. As a result of the plant closure, the women organized themselves to demand fair compensation from Levi’s, as well as better working conditions for workers in other factories. Through organizing efforts, Fuerza Unida has become involved in many other social struggles, working on issues of women’s empowerment for self-sufficiency, women’s and labor rights, immigration, environmental issues and health education. Photo by Patricia Castillo: Viola Casarez, Deborah Kuetzpalin Vasquez and Petra A. Mata.
