Union Rights at La Bahia Rally Recap

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS to all who participated in the Rally and Public Comment before the Santa Cruz City Council last night.

For those who were unable to attend: There was a spirited group of more than 60 participants at the Rally across from the existing La Bahia Apartments. Members from many of our unions in the Central Labor Council and Building and Construction Trades Council were present including UNITE HERE, Carpenters, Laborers, as well as SEIU, Plumbers, AFT, Sheetmetal Workers, Ironworkers, UCSC Lecturers, AFSCME, Teamsters and I'm sure I missed some others.

Also participating and showing support were neighbors, students from UCSC, and members of WAJE. The line of the folks in the brightly colored shirts of various unions chanted and circled with placards (provided with great slogans thanks to the creative efforts of UNITE HERE).

After about a half an hour, Bill Monning, candidate for the 28th Assembly District, and Santa Cruz City Councilman Tony Madrigal addressed the crowd briefly before we moved on to the City Council chambers.

At the City Council chambers, union and community supporters filled the audience and union banners lined the walls. More than a dozen union members and supporters addressed the Council during public comment, urging the Council to remember the contributions of unions to our community and protect workers' rights to representation by unions. Neighbors asked the Council for their help in getting Barry Swenson to erect poles and netting to delineate the height, outline, and location of elements of the proposed building.

Speakers reminded the Council of their endorsement of the Workers Free Choice Act, just weeks ago, and challenged them to act locally to honor that endorsement. Referring to the La Bahia project, speakers called on the Council to demand "premier public benefits" before they provide "premier planning exceptions" for a proposed "premier" hotel.

It was great to see this display of diversity and solidarity among the Unions in our community, as well as, the show of support from community members. Lets keep this up. Si se puede!

Again, Much Thanks,

Ned

The La Bahia project must serve to uplift wages and benefits throughout our community, especially for hotel/restaurant workers.

Building and operating the hotel UNION is the best guarantee of such a public benefit.