It has been a year of struggles for working people in the Greater Solano County Area. Diebold tried (and failed) to convince the public to accept touch screen machines, Benicia tried (and failed) to build a 22 million dollar jail while their schools went broke, now Wal Mart is trying to build a super center in American Canyon and Valero is replacing unionized workers. While oil profits climb to unseen heights, Valero Corporation is insisting on hiring over 800 non-union, temporary workers to replace formerly union jobs. Labor activists worry that these non-union workers will slowly replace more and more unionized workers not only at Valero but at the other area refineries as well.

Valero has subcontracted the replacement workers through a company called Altair Strickland. Workers and supporters are demanding that Valero end its contract with Altair Strickland and instead use a contractor that hires unionized, local labor. A community support rally on the picket line was called for 7 a.m. on Friday, 10/08 at 3655 Park Rd, Benicia; workers gathered at 5 a.m. Details