On Saturday, September 17, 2011, more than 100 Local 21 Delegates attended our Union’s Delegate Assembly at the Hotel Whitcomb in San Francisco. The Assembly began with Local 21 retirees Larry Wong and John Allen being honored for their role as TJ Anthony Political Action Fund Heroes. Both Wong and Allen have been instrumental in growing our Union’s political action fund and in relaying the importance of giving to the fund to their colleagues.
Attendees were given a presentation by leaders of the Contra Costa County, Santa Clara Valley Water District, and Oakland chapters on what each group has done to mobilize and fight back against bad faith bargaining, inequitable givebacks, and other challenges. The presentation explored key issues each chapter was facing, how members and the union changed the outcome, how leaders and members feel about their action, and how these successes will impact future mobilizations within the chapters.
Additionally, a special panel of labor leaders spoke about their organizing campaigns and strategies they used to engage members and leverage the community, which ultimately resulted in successful wins against the employers.
Special guest speaker, Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, gave Delegates a comedic overview of what’s happening at the state level and its impact on local government, public employee attacks across California, and how we can rally together to push for real change.
Special guest speaker, Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, gave Delegates a comedic overview of what’s happening at the state level and its impact on local government, public employee attacks across California, and how we can rally together to push for real change.
Photos: Left, VP Tom Manley presents awards to Wong and Allen recognizing their status as “TJ Anthony Heroes;” Right, Oakland leader Joe Devries talks to Delegates about Oakland’s “Fair Share” campaign, which resulted in the Oakland Police making equitable concessions alongside Local 21 members. Photos by Anjali Asrani & Pam Covington.
