Democratic Debate at Kodak Theatre

Crowds outside Kodak Theatre were very enthusiastic leading up to the debate. Folks arrived early to stake out a spot in view of the cameras. Wolf Blitzer and other political pundits were busy giving reports for television. The debate was projected on a large screen for those not fortunate enough to get a ticket. Members from various unions were there to support Hillary Clinton including AFSME, Bricklayers and Electricians.

Don't Fall for it Northridge

Sometimes a construction site just begs for OSHA to visit. This non union job on Reseda Blvd. in Northridge California is a perfect example. Since OSHA is just a skeleton of what it once was after the Bush Administration gutted the program nothing is likely to be done about it. Watch the video to see what I mean.

EWMC Community Day

Here is a video showing work performed by EWMC volunteers in the San Fernando Valley. Members came from all over the country to participate in the EWMC Conference in Los Angeles. Thursday was designated as Community Day. With some 160 participants performing gardening, clean up, painting and other work to help kids.

EWMC Conference in LA

The 8th Annual Electrical Workers Minority Conference was held at the Sheraton Universal this weekend. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaigosa, IBEW President Edwin Hill, AFL-CIO Organizer Eddie Acosta and others were speakers at the event. The theme for this year’s conference was “Building Power to Make the Dream a Reality.” On Thursday EWMC Members volunteered at local schools throughout the San Fernando Valley. Volunteers painted classrooms, planted shrubbery, and performed various labor to help beautify the community.

Golden Global Disaster

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced no media restrictions in advance of Sunday’s 2008 Golden Globes “News Conference.” Either that was a sign that they've finally embraced new media or they needed coverage badly. The Writers Guild of America’s (WGA) 12,000 members are still on strike after three long months. There is no sign that the strike will be ended anytime soon. It's resulted in the stripped down, no glitter version of the Golden Globes. If you were on the picket line and missed the broadcast; don’t worry you didn’t miss much. It could have been shot in front of a green screen with a virtual curtain and a cheap template to frame the various scenes. This was a new low for Hollywood. With tonight’s broadcast being a complete disaster everyone is wondering; will the Oscars be next? Let's hope things get resolved soon. Hollywood is quickly losing its luster.

Senator Clinton On Hope For The Future

Push Play button to watch video

"I don't think it's in America's interest for us to borrow money from the Chinese to buy oil from the Saudi's."

- Senator Hillary Clinton

Clinton's Economic Platform

Senator Hillary Clinton laid out her economic platform today at the Electrical Training Institute. The crowd consisted of California’s top politicians like Speaker Fabian Nunez, Lt. Governor John Garamendi and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa along with hundreds of enthusiastic union supporters. Hillary championed project labor agreements and quality training as a way to insure that projects are done right the first time. She praised the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for their leadership in solar training. She proposed a bold new plan to have all new government buildings and those being retrofitted to meet green standards. She also took the opportunity to accuse the Bush Administration of being in bed with the oil companies. The crowd liked what they heard.

Hillary Clinton Supports Green Jobs

Senator Hillary Clinton is scheduled to speak about green jobs at the Electrical Training Institute on Friday. Union members will be there in droves to show their support. The ETI is the perfect location to highlight opportunities in the green industry. The photovoltaic system is World class and the training is second to none. Senator Clinton's commitment to green energy is well known and she has great support among union members.

Watch Your Step Northridge Seniors

7AM Thursday January 10, 2008 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, CA– Pedestrians could be seen walking along the side walk where a new apartment complex is under construction. Parts of the fence have been removed exposing a hole approximately 4 feet deep. The sidewalk open, no safety cones, handrail, or even caution tape to identify the danger. Electrical wires protrude from the hole from what appears to be damaged electrical conduits and rest on the steel plate where pedestrians walk. Are the wires energized? No one seams to know ........

Some residents have complained that the project is taking too long. Others are concerned about the obvious lack of concern for people walking on the sidewalk. My recommendation is to contact the city as well as OSHA and Watch Your Step.