"Good Jobs, Local Jobs" was the theme as NABET-CWA members joined nearly 1,000 local union members on March 31 to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day. The group sent a clear message to San Diego businesses and officials: provide good local jobs and give them to local workers. Local 54 President Dennis Csillag said that message fits squarely with the 10News Boycott. "The fight with KGTV is about keeping good local jobs. From the outset, KGTV was determined to replace good union jobs with non-union jobs," Csillag said.
The crowd marched four miles from Spanish Landing, through the two main terminals of Lindbergh Field (in support of TSA workers), to the County Administration building, through the lobby of the Westin Emerald Plaza (in support of hotel workers) and on to a rally at City Hall.
Officials joining the march included Rep. Bob Filner, San Diego City Council president Ben Hueso, State Assembly member Mary Salas and Chula Vista City Council candidate Humberto Peraza.
Filner called out Channel 10 for its union-busting tactics and said Chavez would be proud of the fight. "Cesar Chavez worked for dignity for farm workers, for good working conditions, for good wages," Filner said. Hueso promoted a local jobs policy that would require 70% of public construction projects’ work hours be performed by local workers and/or veterans while also mandating that 10% of those hours be performed by workers from disadvantaged neighborhoods with high unemployment rates.
San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council CEO Lorena Gonzalez led the rally and march. “I think it was a fitting way to celebrate Cesar Chavez’s birthday, really focusing on workers and the struggle of workers in San Diego — union, non-union, those who are unemployed and want a job — I think we hit on just about every issue,” Gonzalez said.
Local 54 members Frank Castillo Jr., Mark Holloway and Robert Buchanan shot video and still photographs of the event. View the video and photographs below.
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building, through the lobby of the Westin Emerald Plaza (in support of hotel workers) and on to a rally at City Hall.
