In The News
Hundreds turn out for annual Labor Day picnic at De Laveaga Park
Union organizers: Economic downturn is a challenge for many
Tuesday September 08, 2009
By Register-Pajaronian
The Watsonville Register-Pajaronian, September 8, 2009
http://www.register-pajaronian.com/V2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=7658&page=72
Hundreds turn out for annual Labor Day picnic at De Laveaga Park
Union organizers: Economic downturn is a challenge for many 
Tarmo Hannula/Register-Pajaronian John Laird (right) of the California Integrated Waste Management Board converses with others Monday at the annual Labor Day picnic, put on by the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council at De Laveaga Park in Santa Cruz.
SANTA CRUZ - Streams of light filtered through the towering redwood trees at De Laveaga Park Monday afternoon, an effect sharpened by smoke from a busy barbecue and by dust kicked up by hundreds of people attending the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council's annual Labor Day picnic.
Absent this year was the politically charged atmosphere of last year's picnic, which took place in the midst of a closely watched presidential campaign that drummed up record support for local and national issues.
But union members, labor leaders and other attendees at the picnic were no less passionate about this year's centerpiece causes - particularly President Obama's proposal to overhaul the nation's health care system, and the Employee Free Choice Act, which would streamline the process workers must go through to form unions.
"This is probably the worst time for working people since the Great Depression in terms of wage cuts and unemployment," said Santa Cruz County worker and union organizer Jeffrey Smedberg. "But we're happy to come together to celebrate the power of solidarity of working people, and we're very hopeful about the possibilities with the present political climate."
Chris Fitz, a community organizer for Unite Here, which represents workers in the hospitality industry, said the economy has taken a toll for workers in the tourism industry.
"The economic downturn is challenging for everybody, and especially for hotel workers," he said. "Management feels that they have an excuse to lean down on workers ."
MBCLC executive director Cesar Lara said that the union had presold about 250 meal tickets, and expected this year's attendance to top last year's total of about 350. Proceeds for ticket sales benefit the union.
Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers president Francisco Rodriguez said the Labor Day picnic is a good time to relax, but added that it's important to focus on relevant causes.
"There are a lot of issues, and people need to be able to make informed choices," he said.
The picnic was attended by a veritable smorgasbord of local labor unions such as Service Employees International Union, the Teamsters , the Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay Building and Construction Trade Council and UNITE-HERE .
Additionally, workers were reporting that some employers are using the current economic downturn as an excuse to cut wages, hours and lay off employees.
Also in attendance at the event were dozens of local political figures, including from the Santa Cruz City Council, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, the Watsonville City Council and the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.
"This is an event that honors workers throughout the Monterey Bay area," Watsonville Mayor Pro Tempore Luis Alejo said. "Without the work they do day in and day out, our local economy would be devastated ."