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Spotlight NewsletterMay 28, 2010 |
Volume 1, Issue 148
Assembly Democrats Propose New Jobs Budget to Combat Governor’s Cuts
On Tuesday, Assembly Democrats, led by new Speaker of the Assembly John Pérez, proposed an innovative budget plan that closes the nearly $18 billion budget gap while focusing on saving and creating jobs, as an alternative to Governor Schwarzenegger’s job killing, all-cuts budget. This proposal takes the economic high road by saving hundreds of thousands of jobs for teachers, police, firefighters and other workers, and creating jobs in the private sector that will spur economic growth and new revenues for the state without raising taxes on working families.
The proposal includes a long-overdue oil severance fee to help fund a private sector job creation program. The proposal would also delay unnecessary corporate tax breaks, which will save $2 billion that can be invested in job creation, child care, health care, and job services for the working poor.
Labor Commissioner Fines Carwashes $700,000 for Labor Law Violations
Last week, the California Labor Commissioner’s office investigated labor law violations at 247 carwashes throughout California, and issued more than $700,000 in fines, after the CLEAN car wash campaign, which represents the carwash workers, reported numerous violations to the Labor Commissioner. The recent statewide sweep follows a similar campaign last year that resulted in 469 citations to carwash operations for various labor law violations, with fines totaling $3.1 million for the year. In addition, the agency collected some $311,325 in back wages on behalf of carwash workers last year.
Despite the investigations and fines, as well as the car wash worker registry law, the carwash industry continues to violate even the most basic laws protecting workers. The industry’s widespread problems with compliance underscore the need for workers to have a union to help enforce standards in their workplace.
Don’t Miss the “Queen Meg” Royal Coronation Bus Tour Next Week
On Tuesday, June 1st, the California Nurses Association is kicking off the week-long “Queen Meg” royal coronation bus tour across the state, beginning in San Diego and ending in San Francisco with 9 other stops at locations most associated with Meg Whitman's corporate background—and others most threatened by her corporate agenda.
The bus tour is part of CNA’s tongue-in-cheek “Queen Meg” campaign, to raise voter awareness about Meg Whitman’s out-of-touch attitude, corporate ties and ongoing effort to buy the California governor’s seat and crown herself as our state’s new monarch.
Find out when the bus tour will be in your area.
Help Get Out the Vote for the June Election
The June 8th election is right around the corner, and across the state, working Californians are taking action to make sure their fellow workers know about the candidates and ballot measures that support working families, as well as those that don’t.
“Get Out the Vote” phone banks and precinct walks are already happening throughout California, and there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved.
View a full schedule of GOTV events in your area and around the state.
Want to find out where labor stands on the races in your area? Check out our complete list of endorsements, including state and local races and ballot measures.
Rally to Help Sacramento Airport Workers Keep Their Jobs and Union
The Sacramento Airport Authority is trying to convince the County Board of Supervisors NOT to include labor harmony language for concessions bid requests in the new Terminal B. Labor harmony language would give workers the right to freely decide whether or not they will continue to have a union. If the harmony language is taken out, about 100 UNITE HERE Local 49 members at the airport could lose their jobs, and their union.
Join the airport workers for a rally on Tuesday at 2:30pm at 700 H Street in Sacramento.
For more information, contact Tino at 916-564-4949 ext.19.
This Week on “Labor’s Edge”
David Dayen evaluated the similarities between the economic problems in Greece to those in California.
We outlined the Assembly Democrats’ new budget proposal, which would combat the Governor’s cuts while saving and creating jobs.
Robert Cruickshank blogged on a new study, which found that Governor’s budget plan would result in a 2% increase in unemployment.
We posted our weekly Rants & Raves.
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