Stephen Murray is interested in making sure the economy works for hard-working people, and he's starting where he lives and works in Houston, Texas. Stephen works as a security officer at the Criminal Justice Center and Wilson Building, monitoring the front entrances and directing people who come into the buildings.

"I've been in security for 10 years. I like helping people out and dealing with people. I enjoy helping people take care of their business," Stephen says.

In spite of his passion for protecting people, Stephen makes less than $19,000 a year and has no health insurance, struggling every month to pay bills and relying on the already overburdened public health care system when he gets sick. His expertise in the field of security is hampered by what he considers poor choices by his employer, a private security contractor.

"There are a lot of things that they teach you as you go, instead of at the beginning. There's a lot of stuff they never teach you, and I'm still learning things as I go now," Stephen says.

But Stephen believes that he can make a change for the better at his work. He is working with his co-workers to form a union to raise the standards of the security industry in our local community. When officers are paid enough to make ends meet and have the training they need, they are able to do their job better. This makes all of Houston safer. Having previously worked for a unionized justice commission in New Jersey, Stephen knows the dramatic difference a union can make in one's work and life.

"Having a union will pretty much save you. I almost got fired for something that wasn't my fault, but because my union representative knew the rules and regulations, he made sure I didn't lose my job," Stephen says. "Being in a union keeps the boss honest."

Stephen believes that forming a union will not only create good jobs with benefits, but also help the entire community by raising the standards of private security in Houston and showing all people that they can make improvements if they work together.

"In order to help the community, we need to educate people and let people know that they have a voice. A lot of things have changed in this country by people working together, educating each other and knowing their rights," Stephen said.

"Our country needs to become more united and less separated by economic status."

Joshua Rojas works the overnight shift at the Harris County Probation Office in Houston, Texas as a security officer. His role is vital -- he monitors the front entrance, watching everyone who enters and leaves the building, including prisoners who are turning themselves in.

In spite of the important role Joshua plays in keeping Houston safe, he is currently paid less $17,000 a year by his employer, a private security company. On a salary barely above the poverty level for a family of two, Joshua supports himself and his ill mother.

"My mother came to Houston from New York a year ago. She was homeless. I struggle to pay my monthly bills and take care of both her and myself," Joshua says. Joshua's mother suffers from seizures and, over the past year, has had four different surgeries. She is constantly in and out of hospitals. Her seizures require regular medication, and Joshua struggles to buy her medicine every month.

Sharon Robertson is a full-time security officer at the Metro Rail Operation Center. Her job is to keep Houston safe. She has responded to emergency situations, and she knows that a few minutes can be the difference between life and death.

"One time, someone drove their car into a ditch," Sharon says. "I had to act quickly and call the police. I was a first responder in that situation to make sure that the person driving the car was helped."

Sharon takes pride in her work and enjoys helping others. Even though she works full-time for a private security company, she makes less than $16,000 a year. Every month, Sharon must make sacrifices in order to pay rent and buy groceries, and she cannot afford health coverage through her employer.

"I don't have insurance, but I have the Gold Card," she says. "It's for low income people, which I'm considered, at $7.50 an hour."

Like most public safety net programs, the Gold Card is overburdened--largely the result of private companies shifting the responsibility of employee health care to taxpayers. People like Sharon who rely on this program for health care must wait months to see a doctor and even longer for follow-up care.