| Report on 17 Feb 04 SGV Community-Labor Alliance Meeting GROUPS REPRESENTED: Von's (Alhambra) picketers, SGVNPJ, Monterey Park Democratic Club, Alhambra Democratic Club, Whittier NPJ, Global Women's Strike. PRESS: Mudd reported that "California Connected" documentary about strike (which features Mudd and also last Friday's picket at Alhambra Von's) will air on March 18 on KCET at 10 pm. FEB. 21 RALLY: Rally at noon, Saturday, Feb. 21, at Montebello Albertson's. Directions: from Alhambra (or from San Bernardino Fwy) take Garfield south. Turn left on Via Compo, just past 60 Freeway. Get in right lane immediately, and turn right at next signal (Wilcox). WORK ASSIGNMENTS FOR RALLY: Everyone should have gotten strike flyer by email and should send out to all our lists/contacts. Hope to get turnout of at least 30-60 people. Al bought water and chips and will order sandwiches. Linda to bring table (may also bring canopy). Martha's husband will get word out to UTLA. Al left message for Susan Mason (CSULA). Susan A. to bring bullhorn. Mudd to bring chant sheet. Mudd will pay Von's pickets to do their shift at Albertson's Montebello on Saturday. Scott trying to contact rapper Philip Mason. Al proposes having event along sidewalk (for visibility), but marching in and out of the parking lot. Irv to get word out to local media ("Comet" and "East Side Sun"). Mudd to call Joe Torres to request Local 770's flat bed truck, van, and sound system; will let Al know what 770 is willing to provide. If Al has to go to waged job on Saturday, Scott will arrange to get water, banner, chips and sandwiches to rally. DISCUSSIONS: Irv proposed having Lila Garrett interview a striker on KPFK. KPFK has covered strike heavily, but except for Susie Weisman's interview with Joel Jordan (back in December), has had little discussion of strike strategy and what it will take to win. Some ppl expressed concern that union members have give their all and made great sacrifices; if leadership, which is now in secret negotiations, capitulates because of mistakes it has made (which were focus of recent article in Los Angeles Times), how will this affect rank and file and future of union? Gene circulated article from LA Times about Rick Icaza (revealing how Icaza misassessed situation). Another weakness is that union is represented by 5 separate and autonomous locals in So Cal. Questions raised about role of 770's Executive Board in developing strike strategy. Gene pointed out that most US unions are now organized on a "business union model" rather than a "social union model," but that after mid-1970's the business union model stopped working; now only 11% of US waged workforce are union members, as opposed to 39% in the 1950's. OTHER REPORTS: *** Monterey Park Fire Dept. is crossing picket lines. City council will meet tomorrow night (Feb. 18) to discuss proposal to increase firemen's benefits. ***Shop steward from MTA has seen bus drivers cross picket line. ***Monterey Park Democratic Club continuing to provide supplies to picket lines. DISTRIBUTIONS: Global Women's Strike collected $52 for Von's and Albertson's pickets. Susan A. gave $26 to Mudd for Von's, will give $26 to Albertson's picketers at Feb. 21 rally. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Susan A. announced upcoming Global Women's Strike events in Los Angeles. Next SGVCLA meeting: 7 pm, Tuesday, March 2. |