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Elirose Pierre-Louis:
Former Janitor at Nova Southeastern University who lost her job because of supporting a union.
Years ago, Elirose Pierre-Louis immigrated to the United States from Haiti so that she could build a
better future for her family. But on Sept. 12, after years of back-breaking work and sacrifice, Elirose’
s dream turned into an American nightmare. While picking beans in the fields of the richest country in
the world, Elirose passed away at the age of 57. Her death was unnecessary—but her story should
inspire all hard-working people to take action.
Elirose began her journey in the U.S. like many hard-working immigrants—ready to sacrifice for today
so that she could celebrate the lives of her children tomorrow. She worked for many years as a
janitor at Nova Southeastern University in Davie earning poverty-level wages without access to health
care. Last year, Elirose joined with her fellow janitors to form a union so that they could win better
wages and affordable health insurance.
However, shortly after the union was formed, Nova fired its cleaning contractor and Elirose—along
with more than 100 of the most active union supporters—lost their jobs. Little did Elirose know, losing
her job at Nova was only the beginning of a much greater tragedy.
After months of searching for new employment in the Miami area, Elirose received a tip about a job
opportunity picking beans on a farm in Nassawadox, VA. Desperate even in the face of her age and
health concerns including high blood pressure, heart trouble, and diabetes, Elirose had no other
options. She moved to Virginia and tried again to make ends meet.
On the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 12, Elirose began to feel very sick. Her boss on the farm took
her to the clinic where she began vomiting. The clinic called 911 for an ambulance to immediately
transport her to the hospital—but Elirose never made it. Thousands of miles from her family in Haiti
and in Canada, Elirose died in the ambulance from a heart attack.
Elirose’s death is a vivid consequence of Nova’s callous treatment of its former janitors. If she had not
been pushed out of her job at Nova, she would have received the health insurance that the she fought
for. If she had been treated like a human being, Elirose would not be another tragic statistic, another
member of America’s working poor who died unnecessarily and alone.
Elirose Pierre-Louis is no longer a Nova janitor, and she is no longer a worker striving and sacrificing
for her family’s future. The door of opportunity closed way too early to Elirose.
Elirose is survived by her sons Junior Theano, 26, and Faldor Jean-Rene, 17, who reside in Port-au-
Prince, Haiti. Junior attends UTH Polyvalent University in Haiti. She is also survived by her son Antonio
Theano, who resides in Canada with his wife.
Former Janitor at Nova Southeastern University who lost her job because of supporting a union.
Years ago, Elirose Pierre-Louis immigrated to the United States from Haiti so that she could build a
better future for her family. But on Sept. 12, after years of back-breaking work and sacrifice, Elirose’
s dream turned into an American nightmare. While picking beans in the fields of the richest country in
the world, Elirose passed away at the age of 57. Her death was unnecessary—but her story should
inspire all hard-working people to take action.
Elirose began her journey in the U.S. like many hard-working immigrants—ready to sacrifice for today
so that she could celebrate the lives of her children tomorrow. She worked for many years as a
janitor at Nova Southeastern University in Davie earning poverty-level wages without access to health
care. Last year, Elirose joined with her fellow janitors to form a union so that they could win better
wages and affordable health insurance.
However, shortly after the union was formed, Nova fired its cleaning contractor and Elirose—along
with more than 100 of the most active union supporters—lost their jobs. Little did Elirose know, losing
her job at Nova was only the beginning of a much greater tragedy.
After months of searching for new employment in the Miami area, Elirose received a tip about a job
opportunity picking beans on a farm in Nassawadox, VA. Desperate even in the face of her age and
health concerns including high blood pressure, heart trouble, and diabetes, Elirose had no other
options. She moved to Virginia and tried again to make ends meet.
On the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 12, Elirose began to feel very sick. Her boss on the farm took
her to the clinic where she began vomiting. The clinic called 911 for an ambulance to immediately
transport her to the hospital—but Elirose never made it. Thousands of miles from her family in Haiti
and in Canada, Elirose died in the ambulance from a heart attack.
Elirose’s death is a vivid consequence of Nova’s callous treatment of its former janitors. If she had not
been pushed out of her job at Nova, she would have received the health insurance that the she fought
for. If she had been treated like a human being, Elirose would not be another tragic statistic, another
member of America’s working poor who died unnecessarily and alone.
Elirose Pierre-Louis is no longer a Nova janitor, and she is no longer a worker striving and sacrificing
for her family’s future. The door of opportunity closed way too early to Elirose.
Elirose is survived by her sons Junior Theano, 26, and Faldor Jean-Rene, 17, who reside in Port-au-
Prince, Haiti. Junior attends UTH Polyvalent University in Haiti. She is also survived by her son Antonio
Theano, who resides in Canada with his wife.
| 150 SW 13th Avenue, Miami, FL 33135 Phone (786) 264-1708; Fax (786) 264-1859 interfaith@sfiwj.org; www.sfiwj.org |