In the bustling world of San Francisco’s labor movement, Ying Shan Mei is rewriting the script for immigrant workers, one phone call at a time. As the treasurer of the Service Employees International Union Local 87, she’s not just navigating bureaucracy – she’s dismantling it.

Mei’s journey began like many children of immigrants: translating for her father and bridging cultural gaps. What started as a night job while studying at City College transformed into a powerful mission of advocacy for janitors who often feel invisible.

Digital Divide, Human Connection

When the pandemic hit, the union’s traditional hiring process went digital – a shift that left many older immigrant workers, especially Chinese-speaking janitors, feeling lost. Enter Mei: organizing WeChat groups, sharing her phone number, and becoming a lifeline for those struggling to adapt.

Breaking Barriers, Building Community

Beyond job assignments, Mei is fighting larger battles. With aggressive immigration policies creating constant uncertainty, she’s connecting workers to immigration attorneys and ensuring they understand their rights. Her work isn’t just about cleaning floors – it’s about maintaining the dignity of those who keep our city running.

The Future of Labor

As office foot traffic slowly rebounds, Mei remains committed. “We used to have more on-call jobs than janitors,” she explains. “Now it’s the opposite”. Her resilience reflects the broader story of immigrant workers: adaptable, persistent, and absolutely essential.