Friday, April 11, 2008

Now There is Leadership

Voice of San Diego reported that the City Workers may strike. If this is true, it seems like it would be a huge issue for our city.
But how did our mayor respond? See below... You've got to do what you've got to do. Now that's leadership.

This Just In

City Workers May Strike
I just got off the phone with Joan Raymond, president of City Hall's blue collar workers union, Local 127.

Raymond confirmed that certain city workers could be lining up for a strike.

Raymond said the union, which is currently in contract talks with the Mayor's Office, has taken a vote to give its negotiating committee the right to ask for a strike. It has also asked the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council to give its support to a strike, should one be necessary.

"We're not on strike, but we're setting the stage," Raymond said. "There's certain permission we need to get."

Raymond said the workers who might strike would be sanitation drivers, water department crews and mechanics at the Fire-Rescue Department. She said any strike would be the first strike since 1969.

And Raymond told me why the specter of a strike has risen:

"People have become very demoralized in the last few years and it's recently come to a head. They've become so upset and so angry that they've started to talk about striking."

Fred Sainz, spokesman for Mayor Jerry Sanders, said the mayor is urging the city's blue collar workers that striking is not in their best interests or in the best interests of the city, but he said if the workers choose to strike, that's their prerogative, Sainz said.

"You've got to do what you've got to do," he said.

Friday - Quick Hits

Tri-city Hospital workers agree to unionize. NCTimes

I wonder if Carl DeMaio with be attending? Sanders praised as he give opening remarks at national Log Cabin Republicans meeting here in San Diego. UT

Will council vote to cut off legal fees for ex-city officials? UT

Coastal Commission gave approval for redevelopment of Imperial Beach hotel. UT

State commission approves spending $400 million on transit project in the Otay/ San Ysidro border crossing region. UT

Toll road agency mislead Feds regarding Army Corps of Engineers support of project. UT

500 Workers at Tri-City Medical Center Unionize

From the North County Times:

More than 500 workers ---- mostly medical technicians ---- at Tri-City Medical Center have joined the United Healthcare Workers union, increasing the percentage of the hospital's work force exercising its collective bargaining rights.

Doreen Sanderson, the hospital's vice president of human resources, confirmed that 60 percent, or about 300, of the 500 workers signed union cards, surpassing the 50 percent threshold needed to join the union. She said the hospital will meet with union representatives to begin a discussion on wages and benefits for the represented employees.

More

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Thursday - Quick Hits

Must be an election year, mayor Sanders moves to close controversial pension program. UT

Police officers agree to a 6% pay raise. UT

Chula Vista councilman Steve Castaneda to testify in his trial. UT

Mayor Sanders steals an idea from Steve Francis, and wants the CCDC to help pay for the bonds that built Petco Park. UT

Carlsbad Desal plant gets a conditional go-ahead from San Diego County Water Resources Board. UT

Ports seeks to fight developer sponsored ballot proposal aimed at turning 10th Ave. Terminal into a stadium. VOSD

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

More from the Journey for Better Jobs

Wednesday - Quick Hits

City Attorney Aguirre skips last night's debate, doubtful for tonight's debate. UT

Mayor Sanders seeks council approval of $574 million in capital upgrades to the city. UT

Chula Vista councilman Steve Castaneda perjury trial begins today. UT

Sen. Ducheny's attempt to gut the California Coastal Commission fails in State Senate. UT

Councilman Scott Peters seeks to table parking meters proposal for La Jolla. UT

PUC heard testimony yesterday regarding the fire danger that Sunrise Powerlink poses. UT

Housing crisis continues as March was the worst month yet for home sales in county. NCTimes

RSVP "Get to Know Your Candidates" Forum

Get to Know Your Candidates
(Not Your Typical Candidate Forum)

Progressive San Diego invites you to our one-on-one candidate mixer on
Thursday, April 17th
6:00pm - 8:00pm
1359 Grove Street
San Diego, CA 92102
The event will feature PSD's endorsed candidates and City Attorney candidates. Our event is open to members and friends of PSD that would like to have some one-on-one face time with the candidates.

Donna Frye
will be our special guest speaker to discuss the No on Proposition C campaign for June 3rd.

Confirmed Candidates So Far
Mike Aguirre, Scott Peters, Brian Maienschein, Jan Goldsmith, Amy Lepine, Richard Barrera*, John Lee Evans*, Sherri Lightner*, Arlie Ricasa*, Sheila Jackson, Todd Gloria, Stephen Whitburn

RSVP to: Tommie Watson@ProgressiveSD.org or (617) 365-6788

Suggested Donation: $20.00
Host Committee: $75.00

*PSD Endorsed Candidates