It appears the kangaroo court has accepted Matt Austin’s lies and used them to expel me. I was expelled for two reasons. 1) Harassment of Matt Austin by supposedly pushing my way into the CAPS office and yelling at him. 2) For advocating decertification of CAPS. And for my advocacy of ONE STATE WORKERS UNION in a leaflet entitled “Is it time to decertify the public union and forge fighting unions?” served as the coup de grace. Never mind that the Policy Manual which presumably makes such statements a crime against the organization was not made available to me until long after the purported indiscretions.

As everyone who followed the case knows Matt Austin’s accusation against me was thrown out of superior court when he tried to secure a restraining order against me. I claimed then and claim now that Matt Austin struck me in the chest with his forearm when I entered the CAPS office declaring to me “What are your doing here”, he later got up in my face and said.,”listen buster you don’t know who your dealing with”. This was all in an effort to prevent the opposition candidates from securing a mailing list to send campaign material to the membership.

As for the second charge. I never started a campaign to decertify CAPS, I never formed a committee calling for the decertification of CAPS, rather I advocated transforming our unions, currently run by labor hacks and tied to the Democratic and Republican politicians, into vehicles for workers’ power. I offered a number of scenarios as an answer to the rhetorical question “is it time to decertify the public workers unions and forge fighting unions?”. I suggested rank and file members need to remove, replace or rebuild our unions. The call for one State Workers Union does not necessarily indicate a decertification campaign. Rather, if we had a democratic union with real meetings and a forum for regular membership discussion that idea could be discussed among the membership. But alas CAPS does not have regular membership meetings in violation of its old bylaws and of the California Corporate Code, so no real discussion is possible in CAPS.

CAPS was organized by the corporation Blanning and Baker for the express purpose of making CAPS into a profit center for Blanning and Baker LLC. Today Blanning and Baker has manipulated the truth for the purpose of putting the opposition candidates (who received 25% in the last election) out of the organization because we exposed their inability to deliver. NO COLA, NO FIGHT AGAINST THE FURLOUGH, GIVE BACK ON PENSIONS, INCREASE IN MEDICAL INSURANCE, LOST HOLIDAYS, FAILED LEGAL STRATEGY, FAILED POLITICAL STRATEGY AND NO DEMOCRACY IN THE ORGANIZATION.

By exposing Blanning and Baker in front of the membership we have proved that this organization is not a workers’ organization. I invite members to try to attain their rights in this organization and they will find out for themselves that this organization exists not for your rights and welfare but for the partners of Blanning and Baker.
1) Request the old and new bylaws and compare the issue of membership meetings and you will find this organization has a 10 years history of violating members right to a regular annual meeting.
2) Request the Policy Manual.
3) Request a forum to speak to the rest of the membership.

Solidarity For a fighting workers union movement!

Charles Rachlis

www.capsfightingunioncaucus.wordpress.com

In response to present plans to have armed Coast Guard vessels escorting the STX PanOcean grain carrier:

January 19, 2012
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Obama:
With over 4,500 members of the NC Public Service Workers Union- UE local 150 aware of the sad and disturbing news about the planned use of U.S. military to intervene on the side of management in a crucial labor dispute in the state of Washington, our entire Executive Board voted to urge you not to use our government’s military to intervene in this dispute. We unanimously condemn such intervention.
In December 2008, workers across the U.S. and world had hope. When you stood with workers against unfair treatment and union busting during the sit-in (occupation) of the Republic Windows and Doors manufacturing plant in Chicago. We urge you to stand up again with the longshore workers like Dr. King stood with the City of Memphis sanitation workers on April 4th, 1968.
Over the past few months, we have read how the International Longshoremen Workers Union is targeted by “Big Business”at the Port of Longview, Washington. A powerful multinational company, EGT, is attempting to operate as the West Coast’s only non-union facility, despite promising otherwise after receiving millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies to build its grain exporting terminal.

It is reported that Coast Guard ships and helicopters will be used to escort this ship after it fills up with grains. As working people in the midst of the current economic crisis of budget cuts in public service programs, schools and public sector jobs, we are angry that our government is using our tax dollars and our military to assist such union busting tactics that continues to lower working people’s standard of living !

Mr. President, we voted for “hope” and “change”. As Commander in Chief, we call upon you to order the Coast Guard and all government military forces to not interfere on the side of management in this labor dispute.

Workers know that hope, which we believe in and that Dr. King believed in, is based on our action as well as your action in ordering the military to stand down. Honor Dr. King with action…Stand down.

Sincerely,

Angaza Laughinghouse, President
N.C. Public Service Workers Union-UE Local 150
919-231-2660
fruitoflaborwcc

cc:
Pres. Bruce Kipple, National United Electrical Radio & Machinists Workers of America
Pres. Deb Gornall, U.E. Regional
Pres. James Andrews, NC AFL-CIO
Brad Miller, U.S. Congress
Pres. Rich Trumka, AFL-CIO
US Senator Kay Hagan

OPEN LETTER TO THE CAPS BOARD,

AS THAT NO JUST CAUSE EXISTS IN THE GRIEVANCE AGAINST RACHLIS AND COSENTINO; THE HEARING OF THE MILLER/BROWN GRIEVANCE, PLANNED FOR JANUARY 11TH, PUTS THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION IN DANGER. BY VIOLATING MEMBER’S RIGHTS AND THEN HARASSING THEM FOR DEMANDING THEIR RIGHTS, THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP ENDANGERS CAPS’ RIGHT TO EXIST AS THE LEGITIMATE REPRESENTATIVE OF UNIT 10. LIABILITY FOR DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT MAY ULTIMATELY DESTROY CAPS AND WILL HOPEFULLY LEAVE B&B DESTITUTE AS DAMAGES DUE TO THE MEMBERSHIP MAY FIGURE INTO THE MILLIONS. I RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO REIGN IN YOUR OUT OF CONTROL PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT AND THE THUGS OF BLANNING AND BAKER. DISMISS THE CHARGES BEFORE THIS McCARTHYITE WITCH HUNT DESTROYS THE ORGANIZATION! THE CHOISE IS YOURS ACT LIKE THUGS AND PROTECT THE FIEFDOM OR ACT LIKE TRADE UNIONISTS AND BUILD DEMOCRACY!

NO JUST CAUSE IN CHARGES AGAINST RACHLIS AND COSENTINO

In considering the charges against Charles Rachlis and Giorgio Cosentino it must be established that Just Cause exists. The high standards and principles established in the landmark Enterprise Wire arbitration case from 1966, which labor has traditionally applied to conflicts with employers must also guide and be applied to our own organizations. http://www.utoledo.edu/depts/hr/hsc/pdf/just_cause.pdf

“The basic elements of just cause which different arbitrators have emphasized have been reduced to seven tests. These tests, in the form of questions, represent the most specifically articulated analysis of the just cause standard as an extremely practical approach. A “no” answer to one or more of the questions means that just cause either was not satisfied or at least was seriously weakened.”
“1) NOTICE: Did MCO give the employee forewarning or foreknowledge of the possible or probably disciplinary consequences of the employee’s conduct?
a. Forewarning/foreknowledge: orally by Management, in writing through typed or printed sheets or books of work rules &of penalties for violation thereof….

Did Rachlis and Cosentino have means to be aware of, were they given the documents, printed sheets, or books of rules which would have made them aware of the policies, to which they are now being held accountable to abide? The answer is an absolute no! The allegations in the grievance are predicated upon the CAPS Policy Manual which both Cosentino and Rachlis had been requesting since before the election campaign. Charles Rachlis did not receive it until the day of the ballot count in Sacramento, from David Miller himself and Giorgio Cosentino did not receive it until mid-October; long after the grievances Miller/Brown had penned against us were submitted.

Indeed the same lack of transparency which keeps the bylaws off of the CAPS website also keeps the policy manual off the web site away from prying eyes of the membership. Despite repeated requests rank and file members were denied access to this document. Only a kangaroo court could find JUST CAUSE under these conditions therefore all these charges must be dismissed.

The CAPS leadership can not have it both ways. You can not deny members access to the very book of rules from which you derive charges against them. Not in any democratic organization. Such practices are common however in Stalinist and Fascist dictatorships which kind of organization is CAPS?

What follows is the record that shows we have tried to get a copy of the Policy Manual for over a year and have been ignored, patronized and stonewalled by the very staff and leadership which is supposed to treat all members fairly and with respect

Consider the secretive practices of the board. After we pointed out the failure of the board to adhere to the 2007 Bylaws at the November 2010 informational meetings, the board, without noticing the membership, without submitting the proposed bylaws and Policy Manual changes to the members for discussion, amended both those documents in February of 2011.

The result was that the board wrote the memberships’ right to an annual membership meeting out of the 2011 revision. The revised Bylaws & Policy Manual were never posted or universally distributed. Few members even knew they had been changed or that the Policy Manual even existed at all. This lack of transparency, denial of membership participation and lack of notification about the changes in the rules of the organization is designed to keep the membership uninformed and in turn has created conditions where members are being charged with violations of rules which they are not allowed to know of in a timely manner. In August of 2011 I had to inquire as to the changes that were enacted.

On 8/8/11 I wrote:
To the CAPS board and executive director,

There is rumor that the executive board has passed a new by-laws for the organization. Is there truth to this scuttle-but? If so I request that you immediately send me a copy of the new by-laws, the old by-laws and the minutes from the meeting where the changes occurred.

Thank you,
Charles Rachlis
Associate Industrial Hygienist

This policy document was finally delivered to both Rachlis and Cosentino after the charges crafted by Miller and Brown were submitted on September 19th despite the executive director’s claim that timely distribution of the document was forthcoming on July 5th 2011.

CONSIDER THE STONEWALLING:

From: Chris Voight [mailto:cvoight]
Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2011 10:30 AM
To: Cosentino, Giorgio (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL)
Subject: RE: Bylaws and policy file on website?

Giorgio,

Feel free to ask any time. You are a member and have a right to ask any question. We will try to always respond promptly and on point. In this case, the leadership has chosen not to post those particular documents on line, but rather to provide them to any member who requests them. We do so promptly and so far have seen no pressing need to post them. The concern here is that posting them, even in the minimally secure “member only” section on the web page, will make them accessible to individuals far beyond the membership. I will copy your request and my reply to the leadership in the event they may want to reconsider their position on this issue.

Christopher J. Voight
Staff Director
“Important Work Deserves Fair Pay”
www.capsscientists.org“
916-441-2629
So for Giorgio Cosentino to “promptly” receive the policy manual it took four months, from July 5th when Chris Voight assured prompt delivery, until mid October when it was finally mailed after Mr. Cosentino offered to visit the Sacramento office on October 13th. This is only prompt in geologic terms not in internal union business terms. This denial of access to the very document upon which the grievances are brought is why no just cause exists.

Consider the following e-mail from Barryett Enge, who has acted as a CAPS shop steward at Richmond campus on and off for years responded to Giorgio’s search for the Policy manual as early as January 27th 2010.

From: Enge, Barryett (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL)
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 1:57 PM
To: Cosentino, Giorgio (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL)
Subject: message[secure]

Barryett Enge
Public Health Microbiologist II Virology
510 307 8530

This denial of access to the Policy Manual went on for over a year and a half See Giorgio’s requests in September 2011:

From: Cosentino, Giorgio (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL)
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2011 12:37 PM
To: ‘caps’
Subject: Current Policy File?

Hi,
Is the current Policy File dated 11/3/2007? Thank you for the clarification.
Giorgio
Giorgio Cosentino, PHM
From: Cosentino, Giorgio (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL)
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2011 3:28 PM
To: ‘caps’
Subject: RE: Current Policy File?

Hi,
Liz just answered my question. I do have the new bylaws, but not the new policy file dated 2/12/2011. Any chance of emailing or faxing to me as I could use today if possible? Thanks.

Giorgio

From: Cosentino, Giorgio (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL)
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2011 4:08 PM
To: Enge, Barryett (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL)
Cc: ‘caps’
Subject: RE: Current Policy File?

Hi Barryett,
Do you have a copy of this on you that I can stop by and see? Thanks.

Giorgio

From: Cosentino, Giorgio (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL)
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 1:29 PM
To: ‘CAPS’ (caps)
Subject: RE: Current Policy File?

Can I please have a copy of this? Thank you.

Sincerely,
Giorgio Cosentino

From: Cosentino, Giorgio (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL)
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 3:12 PM
To: ”CAPS’ (caps)’
Subject: RE: Current Policy File?

Hi,
I was previously told the following.
“Giorgio,
We ALWAYS provide bylaws and policy promptly upon request of any member.”
I would like to receive a copy of the new Policy File before I leave work today at 5:00 as I need it for the weekend. Thank you.

Giorgio

From: Cosentino, Giorgio (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL)
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 5:18 PM
To: ”CAPS’ (caps)’
Subject: Policy file not yet received

Did I use the wrong email address for this request?

Giorgio

From: Cosentino, Giorgio (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL)
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 8:44 AM
To: Kristen Haynie (kristenh)
Subject: Policy File not available to me?

Dear Kristen,
I have been requesting a copy of the new policy file which previously I was told was available “immediately upon request.” I was told you are one of the contacts for this request, but you have not replied.

Recently, I sent a communication to PERB, copying our President. Anyone who viewed my candidate statement would know about my communication with PERB. I am doing my best to follow the laws outlined by the Dills Act in order to address concerns I have as a member of CAPS and I understand it might not be pleasant for you and for that I apologize. It is not personal. To be honest, I do not like being in this situation at all.

Can you please respond to my query for the policy file. If you do not, then I will have to wonder if I am now being discriminated against as a result of exercising the rights I have per 3519.5 (b) of the Dills Act (please see below). I hope that is not the case and that you have just been too busy. Then please let me know when you can provide me with this document.

Thanks, Kristen.

Respectfully,
Giorgio

Dills Act
3519.5. Unlawful actions by employee organizations
It shall be unlawful for an employee organization to:
(a) Cause or attempt to cause the state to violate Section 3519.
(b) Impose or threaten to impose reprisals on employees, to discriminate or threaten to discriminate against employees, or otherwise to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees because of their exercise of rights guaranteed by this chapter.
Giorgio Cosentino, PHM
From: Cosentino, Giorgio (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL) [mailto:Giorgio.Cosentino]
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2011 1:23 PM
To: caps; kristenh; cvoight
Cc: Enge, Barryett (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL); Rachlis, Charles (CDPH-ADM-PSB-FMS); Wright, Will (CDPH-ADM-PSB-FMS); pvelez
Subject: Requesting confirmation regarding October 13th office visit

Hi Kristen and Chris,
I am requesting confirmation that staff will be available in the Sacramento CAPS office on October 13th, allowing me to copy the current Policy File. Thank you.

Giorgio
Giorgio Cosentino, PHM

And when did we finally get the document?

From: Chris Voight [mailto:cvoight]
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 2:39 PM
To: Cosentino, Giorgio (CDPH-CID-DCDC-VRDL)
Subject: RE: Requesting confirmation regarding October 13th office visit

A copy of the CAPS Policy and Practice Manual has been mailed to you today, per Patty Velez.

Christopher J. Voight
Staff Director
“Important Work Deserves Fair Pay”
www.capsscientists.org
916-441-2629

Just prior to the opening of the election campaign period I (Charles Rachlis) called Sacramento and talked to a CAPS/B&B staffer (I think it was)Linda and asked for the current Policy Manual to be sent to me, I was told it would be sent the next day. I did this because Giorgio insisted that such a document existed and that he had been e-mailing the staff for weeks asking for it to no avail. As stated, the document upon which the allegations in the grievance were drawn up by President David Miller was not delivered to me until after the charges were penned. President David Miller knows this as he is the person who delivered the Policy Manual to me, during the ballot count in October. Hence there is no JUST CAUSE AND THE CHARGES AGAINST RACHLIS AND COSENTINO MUST BE DISMISSED.

Charles Rachlis
January 9, 2012

Sat Jan 7, 2012 10:49 pm (PST)

Please forward widely:

Occupy Los Angeles, Occupy Long Beach, Occupy Riverside and Occupy the Hood, building on the “Occupy the Ports – A Day without Goldman Sachs!” action on December 12, have all issued calls for and started building towards a General Strike on May 1, 2012.

At a meeting of the General Strike Preparation Committee of Occupy LA today, with representation from Occupy Long Beach, Pasadena and Riverside as well as Occupy the Hood, consensus was reached to call for the formation of a broad, deep and larger coalition for a General Strike, first meeting to be held on Sunday, January 22 at 2:00 PM, location to be announced, around the following provisional program:

FOR IM/MIGRANT RIGHTS
FOR ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND LABOR RIGHTS
FOR PEACE WITH JUSTICE
FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES AND AN END TO THE POLICE STATE
FOR HOUSING, EDUCATION, AND HEALTH CARE AS HUMAN RIGHTS
FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUITY

A General Strike, Boycott and Day of Action on May 1, 2012, the anniversary of the historic general strike for the 8-hour day in Chicago IL in 1886.

We are seeking to unite with immigrant communities resisting oppression, organized and unorganized labor, the unemployed, prisoners, unwaged workers, students, and the rest of the 99%.

The next sub-committee meetings of the Occupy LA general strike preparation committee (including media, labor, student and community outreach, research and resources) will take place Tuesday, January 10 at 7:30 PM at Corazon del Pueblo, 2003 E. First St., East L.A. 90033 (at Cummings, just east of the I-5). Check us out on-line at www.occupymay1st. org, by email at occupymay1st, or call 323-250-MAY1.

Rolling actions are being planned for the coming months, including participation in the Martin Luther King Day parade on Monday, January 16, and an “Occupy the Corporations” action on February 29 [based on a call from Occupy Portland focusing on ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council, which spread prison privatization, Arizona's anti-immigrant SB 1070, and attacks on collective bargaining)] which will take up an action by Occupy Riverside and Warehouse Workers United aimed at non-union warehouses of Walmart in the Inland Empire area.

We invite you to get involved and make this struggle and manifestation of the collective power of working people your own!

A Call to Action

From the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Counties Central Labor Council [Longview
area, Washington]
January 2, 2012

“We are imploring all able working class people willing to take time out of his or her own lives, to come to Longview , Washington for a historic protest.
…. The class struggle never really goes away. Right now the rich and the ruling class are attempting to deal a blow that labor might never recover from….
…. If you believe in a better future for the 99% of us that work for a living, do what you can to support ILWU Local 21.”
The resolution that was just passed by the Labor Council in the Longview area is attached. (This is the “Call to Action” to accompany the Resolution.)

A Call to Action: It is estimated, sometime in late January or early February the [scab] EGT facility at the port of Longview will receive its first grain ship to be loaded at its berth. The name and timing of this ship will undoubtedly be kept secret until the last possible moment. It is likely there will be a few days to as little as 24 hours notice of when the ship will dock. Notification will be given via the Internet and any other relevant means of networking throughout the country.

We are imploring all able working class people willing to take time out of his or her own lives, to come to Longview , Washington for a historic protest.

This is the time for workers everywhere to take a stand. Unions and the working class standard of living that have benefited from collective bargaining for so long are in danger of being extracted completely. You can see this systematically taking place over the last 30 years or longer, and especially in recent times. Unions have lost ground over this period of time due to unjust anti-labor laws, corporate influence on the government, and complacency on the part of organized labor among other reasons.

We recognize the danger of, and view the government attack on collective bargaining of public employees as a warning shot to labor as a whole. Wisconsin was ground zero and the spark that awoke the sleeping giant that is labor. Workers are beginning to remember there is indeed strength in numbers, regardless of how many unjust laws are made to divide us.

We have not been pacified long enough, as to give up our constitutional rights or to give up all the gains our forefathers fought and died to achieve over the last hundred years. People inherently ask WHY? Why should I, or others come to the aid of the ILWU? Why should I care, and what does it matter if this ship gets loaded and they lose this struggle?

The ILWU has a proud history of being arguably the strongest labor union in the world for almost 80 years. The secret of this success lies in the bottom up, rank and file democratic structure. This empowers and involves every member. And the intelligence and foresight of the leaders who knew without unity on the entire west coast and unity with the working class, there was no strength.

EGT is attempting to break the ILWU. EGT is operating on public port property where the ILWU have worked for decades. They are in violation of their lease agreement, which states that the ILWU is to be the workforce on port property. Longshoremen have done work in port grain elevators before the ILWU was formed [in the 1930s]. If EGT succeeds, they will have essentially broken the ILWU.

First, they will set a precedent that work on public port docks is no longer automatically Longshore Jurisdiction. Then within less than a year, when the northwest grain handlers agreement is set to be negotiated, all the other grain elevators will seek to either go non-ILWU or will seek to match the eroded standard EGT creates. Shortly thereafter in 2014, the ILWU will negotiate its master contract with the Pacific Maritime Association. If they lose, you can bet the PMA will take notice and hit hard.

Most importantly to note is that grain accounts for 30% of the ILWU health and welfare package. If you lose a third of your bargaining power and your traditional jurisdiction on port property, what are you left with? Either no ILWU, or a union that would resemble nothing like what it once was. There would be little or no collective power up and down the west coast, and no way to fight for social justice or defend the working class, just as the ILWU has done for so long, in its entrenched and strategic position at the gates of international commerce.

Longshoremen have traditionally been a rough and tough bunch, but they always make sure to educate their members on the importance of history, unity and the power of collective bargaining. People nowadays forget or have not been taught their own history, they forget what it means to cross a picket line, and become a scab the rest of their life. For 30 years or more we have been sliding downhill, while some would argue unions have outlived their time. The reality is unions are the last defense when the imperfect system of checks and balances within our government fails to serve the interests of the workers.

The class struggle never really goes away. Right now the rich and the ruling class are attempting to deal a blow that labor might never recover from. The ILWU has always been the vanguard of labor everywhere. Today, the ILWU’s value of “An Injury to One, Is an Injury to All” couldn’t be any more pertinent for all organizations. So please, if you believe in a better future for the 99% of us that work for a living, do what you can to support ILWU Local 21.

“The most important word in the language of the working class is solidarity.”– Harry Bridges

In Solidarity,

Kyle Mackey, Secretary/Treasurer Cowlitz -Wahkiakum Counties Central Labor Council
ILWU Local 21 Member

Resolution of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Counties ( Washington ) Central Labor Council –
Adopted January 2, 2012

Whereas: the ILWU has always been at the forefront in the struggle for social justice and better working conditions. And,

Whereas: ILWU Local 21 has inspired working people worldwide. And,

Whereas: ILWU jurisdiction is under an unprecedented attack. And,

Whereas: It is clear to all working people that EGT is seeking to race to the bottom and destroy a long history of good family wage jobs throughout the area. And,

Whereas: The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Counties Central Labor Council, hereinafter called the council, recognize the blatant union busting tactics of EGT, as well, the danger of losing the ILWU as a powerful ally for the working class. And,

Be it Resolved: that this Council call out to friends of labor and the “99%” everywhere to come to the aid of ILWU Local 21, and to support them in any way possible in their fight against multi national conglomerate EGT. And,

Be it further Resolved: that this Council request that anyone willing to participate in a community and labor protest in Longview , Washington of the first EGT grain ship, do so when called upon by this body. And,

Finally be it Resolved: that the Council forward this resolution to all local unions, the Washington State Labor Council, Oregon Federation of Labor, California Labor Federation, the AFL-CIO, and all other relevant organizations.

Respectfully submitted,

Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Counties Central Labor Council Executive Board

[Note: This is the Central Labor Council for the
Longview ,
WA area.]

Subject: [CommitteetodefendILWU] the straight story from Longview and Local 21

STOP THE SCAB GRAIN SHIP! BUILD FOR THE MASS PICKET AT THE PORT OF LONGVIEW IN JANUARY 2012!
MAKE THIS VIDEO GO VIRAL!

f

The basic essential story on the union busting at Longview, Wa…thanks to Dan Coffman, Jack Heyman, and Steve Zeltzer

__._,_.___
.

12/16 WorkWeek Calendar And Editorial And Interview With Diane Ravitch
Part of KPFA Morning Mix/Project Censored
http://archives.kpfa.org/data/20111216-Fri0800.mp3

“Where’s The Money” and The Systemic Corruption In California’s Public Education System

The recent statement by Governor Brown that he will take another $1 billion whack at public education and public services has brought an outrage from education workers and the community. People are saying “enough is enough” The Brown democratic budget deal included these draconian budget cuts if the revenue did not increase.

This same budget was supported and welcomed by Art Pulaski of the California AFL-CIO Labor Federation and the state council of the SEIU which represents over 700,000 workers in California. In October 2010 Pulaski called the budget a step towards a “healthier economy”.

http://www.calaborfed.org/index.php/site/page/governor_puts_state_on_path_to_healthier_economy_more_needs_to_be_done/

Now this budget deal will mean more layoffs of teachers, public workers and even the elimination of bussing for poor and working class students throughout California.

At the same time, Governor Brown has introduced a plan for an tax initiative that will temporarily tax the wealthy while also increasing the regressive sales tax for working people. The ideology of “sharing the pain” is also being pushed by many union officials to show that workers are willing to help “solve” this crisis.

In the SEIU, Andy Stern appointed SEIU UHW Trustee now president Dave Regan had to call for a roll-call of all locals in order to push through an endorsement at the SEIU State Council of this regressive tax initiative.

The other assault that working people face is that attack on public pensions. Arguing that public worker pensions are too high the governor wants to cutback the pensions and benefits of retired workers. This in a state with 88 billionaires.

http://www.mercurynews.com/california-budget/ci_19291407

There is also growing evidence that the budget crisis is being used to further privatize public education in the state and fill the pockets of the billionaires.

The Gates Foundation and the Broad Foundation both funded by billionaires have financed a web of public officials and lobbyists who are pushing charters and privatization of public education in California. Recently in fact Governor Brown appointed a Sue Burr to be the executive director of the State Board of Education. Sue Burr is also executive director of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association.

http://toped.svefoundation.org/2011/04/29/sue-burr-given-dual-role-over-education/

Although this is a clear conflict, apparently the California Attorney General Kamala Harris has no problem with this conflict of interest. This is also part of a network and web of Gates Foundation and Broad Foundation funded so called non-profit organizations that are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to push privatization and charter schools run by multi-national corporations.

In the bay area for example the the Kip Rocket Schools which are getting public funding have their board meetings not where they are located by at the GAP headquarters in San Francisco. Former billionaire Donald Fisher and his non-profit foundation now run by John Fisher his son.They use their billions to further push privatize of education and the closure of public schools.

http://www.mercurynews.com/education/ci_19550940
http://www.kipp.org/about-kipp/the-kipp-foundation/board-of-directors

California parents, students, teachers and staff have to ask why when public schools are being shut down and merged around the state charter schools are being opened and get more and more of public funding.

Those who are engaged in the systemic destruction of public education in California in fact are the Democratic party leaders and politicians who are getting donations and funding from these same billionaires and privateers.

California Assembly leader John Perez supported the Obama-Duncan Race To The Top scheme which pressurized the state to force more charters throughout the state in order to get Federal funding. His relative Mayor Democratic Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also sought to take over personal control of the LA school district and appointing Gates connected school superintendents like John Deasy who is a front man for the Gates and Broad foundation. Deasy and many of these Superintendents and principles have never been teachers and are “placed” in the schools by Michelle Rhee, the former union buster who ran the Washington DC schools and is now been funded by Gates to support pro-privatization candidates in local school board elections. This insidious network is working full stop to make sure that our public school system has a short life.
Another leading democratic party politician Senate leader Darrell Steinberg has also pushed privatization candidates like Gloria Romero who was funded by Steinberg’s slush fund when she was running for state superintendent of public instruction.
It is time that there be a public education campaign to expose these privateers and who they really represent. It is also time for the California Federation Of Teachers and California Teachers Association to get the truth out about these privatizers and raiders.

This is Steve Zeltzer with WorkWeek radio and now we go to the calendar.

This is the WorkWeek Calendar for the week of December 16, 2011
All I want for Christmas is: My Job Back

On Saturday December 17 Locked out Castlewood workers will be having a call to action and Castlewood Country Club workers.

The workers have been locked out for over 657 days.
Supporters and workers will meet at the corner of Main St. and Bernal Avenue in downtown Pleasanton at 9:00 AM and will have holiday treats and have a procession through downtown Pleasanton. Donate non-perishable food on money to the workers and families to help locked-out Castlewood workers.
For more information call 510-239-3472 or go to
www.endthelockout.org

Casino San Pablo: Don’t Be A Grinch!
On December 19th through December 22nd Unite Here Local 2850 will be taking a collection of food and toys for Casino San Publo workers and their families on Monday December 19th , Wednesday December 21 and Friday 22nd. The casino had revenues of $160 million in 2010 but has less full time job, less workers with medical benefits and an average salary of $9.50 an hour.

The collection will take place during the day in front of the Casino which is located at 13255 San Pablo Avenue in San Pablo. To find the hours of the collection and more information call (510)504-8225 or go to Casino San Pablo: Don’t Be A Grinch! on their facebook page.

On Thursday December 22, 6,000 nurses who are members of the California Nurses Associatin/National Nurses United will be striking six Sutter Hospitals in the Bay Area.

The Sutter hospital chain which has massive profits and in San Francisco had revenue of over $1 billion at the CPMC but spent only $12 million on care for poor and indigent patients. In the last five day strike in September by the union, the hospital chain brought in scabs from though-out the country and a patient died at the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center as a result of the lack of proper care according to the CNA.

The picket lines will be at Sutter hospitals in include Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland and Berkeley, Sutter Delta in Antioch, Mills-Peninsula hospitals in Burlingame and San Mateo, and Sutter Solano in Vallejo. For more information www.nationalnursesunited.org

If you want your event on the WorkWeek calendar email
info This is Erica Lucarotti for WorkWeek Radio