Building Trades News

Political Action Means Job Opportunities

UA 250 Business Agent Vincent Burr testifying before the CRA Board. UA Local 250 George Vasquez, Bus. Mgr. 18355 S. Figueroa Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 660-0035 By George Vasquez, Business Manager Many of our members regularly ask us, “How exactly does the political action of our union benefit me?” This is an important question. Through political action we are able to get more and better paying jobs for our members, force cheating contractors out of our markets, secure legislation for improved safety and working conditions on jobsites, protect prevailing wages on public works projects, and protect our apprenticeship and training programs – to name just a few. Did I mention that political action means jobs for our members? How about $80 Billion worth in the last five years alone. Political Action Wins $15 Billion Agreement with LA/ CRA In fact if you have ever worked on a prevailing wage job, an LAUSD project, a Los Angeles Community College District project, or an infrastructure project funded by state or local bonds, you have directly benefited from the political action of your union. This issue of Building Trades News features an article discussing an historic PLA agreement between the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency and the LA/ OC Building Trades that will be mean $15 billion worth of work for Building Trades craft unions once it is finalized. This agreement was the result of almost two years of hard work by our staff, particularly our Political Liaison, Terry Martin. He worked closely with a coalition composed of our Brothers and Sisters from other Building Trades unions, the LA County Federation of Labor, community and faith-based groups, contractors, developers, elected officials and government agencies to reach this important agreement. This PLA will not only provide job opportunities for our members, but will also help our union and the rest of the Building Trades provide career opportunities and an entry-way into the middle class for hard-working Angelinos who have too often been left behind. $80 Billion Worth of Political Action Program While an important part of our political program entails contributing to candidates who support our issues, that is only a small part of what we do. Our Political Liason works closely with community groups and developers to fight for approval of construction projects, and with government agencies to ensure the proper enforcement of health, safety, and wage laws and that the correct number of apprentices are being used on public works projects. Your UA 250 Business Reps make sure our members are registered to vote and mobilize union volunteers to phone bank and precinct walk so we can elect worker-friendly candidates who will fight for our jobs. Thanks to the hard work and leadership of Political Liaison Terry Martin, this program has won some tremendous victories in the last several years, including: • $40 Billion in state infrastructure bonds passed in 2006 • $20 Billion LAUSD Construction Program • $15 Billion LA/CRA Project Labor Agreement • $2.3 Billion Construction Bonds Passed for LA Community College District • $600 Million Proposition Q Bond for Construction of police and fire stations in Los Angeles In addition we partner with private developers to fight for city approval of construction projects such as the $2 billion Grand Avenue development, and the $2.2 billion LA Live project. Strength in Numbers: Register to Vote The success of our political action program is based on our ability to mobilize our members at election time in order to “reward our friends and punish our enemies.” It is your duty as a union member to get out and vote. In order to do this our members and their families must be registered to vote and must turn out to the polls on Election Day. This June and November will be important elections for working people. There will be important local, state, and national races and the outcome will affect your bottom line. In the coming months we will be making an effort to make sure all of our members are registered to vote. We will be sending out letters, visiting work sites and making phone calls make sure all our members are registered to vote. Be sure your voice is heard this election year – register to vote. And to make voting even easier, we’re encouraging our members to apply for a permanent vote-by-mail ballot. This will ensure that you will be able to cast your ballot, even if you are unable to make it to the polling center on Election Day.

 

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