Rudy Barrera

“I work in the assembly department, basically I assemble the trucks. I’ve been with the company four years.

“Originally I’m from Mexico. I grew up over there until I was 13. I came to Chicago, lived in the city until 2001. It was OK. I lived with my parents in an apartment. I went to high school, grammar school. I got married at 22. I’ve got 3 kids. Moved to Melrose Park and was there until last year, when I moved here.

“It’s a good life. I can’t complain …

“I got laid off from my previous job. I was going to go take some classes for manufacturing because I wanted to do that. They told me at the unemployment office that they needed people to do these types of jobs.

“And I don’t think it was by accident. I like what I do and I don’t see myself doing anything else.

“Money is an issue when you don’t have a job. It’s stressful. You struggle, it’s really hard. But you can’t give up. You’ve got to stay strong. And when you’ve got kids you don’t think about yourself, you think more about them. Luckily I’m here, working at Hoist.

“Illinois is expensive … in order for you to live a good life, not a rich life, if you’re married both of you have got to work. Over here I’m making it. It’s a lot cheaper. Taxes are less. I’m the only one working right now. I don’t struggle a lot like in Illinois. I think the change was good for me.

“I wanted my kids to have what I didn’t have. I wanted them to go to college … I’m happy for them. They’re going to do good. They’re going to have more opportunities than me. They’re going to get to go to school. I’m more stable over here and I like it. The whole family likes it.

“For this company it was good to move, it benefitted us. I can’t talk about other companies, what their issues are, but I know for a fact Illinois taxes are really high. So the change was good for the company and us.”

Rudy Barrera
Hoist Liftruck Mfg., LLC
East Chicago, Indiana