LAX Officers Report Abuse

A rally for Airport Security Officers at Los Angeles International Airport attracted hundreds of supporters. Activists wore signs that read, “Stand with Front-Line Defenders of Airport Safety” and “The Union Is Here” – Another Union Member in Solidarity with Transportation Security Officers and their Union – AFGE, AFL-CIO. The labor dispute arose from alleged intimidation and firings of airport security personnel for complaining about poor working conditions at LAX. Several local politicians and labor leaders took the stage to speak in support of the Security Officers and their union. The demonstration took place outside Gate 1 near the South West Airlines Arrival Gate.

Employees Embrace Green Technology

Union electricians employed at Steiny and Company, Inc. install a solar array on the rooftop of their Baldwin Park warehouse. The new solar panels will provide abundant power for lighting and other needs for years to come. According to Richard Tesoriero, Vice President of Steiny the company hopes to offset their carbon footprint and convince other businesses to do the same. The warehouse is part of Steiny’s intelligent transportation division where work is performed maintaining fleet vehicles and storing tools and materials. Congratulations to Steiny and Company, Inc. for utilizing Green technology and providing good paying union jobs.

Secretary of Labor Crashes Organizing Meeting

The nerve of some people…………. Just as organizers were discussing the Moore Drydock Case and Common Situs Picketing, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis dropped in for a surprise visit. Solis and other cabinet members were touring the 144,000 square ft Electrical Training Institute in Commerce, California. ETI is the premiere training grounds for thousands of Green pioneers in Los Angeles County. She posed for a few quick photos before leaving to see the facility.

Grab The Future

“Grab the Future,” that was the message to organizers attending the 2009 Membership Development Conference. During the general session use of social networking technology such as Youtube, Facebook and Twitter was discussed at length as a way for organizers to forge relationships with today’s workers. Social networking as a recruitment tool is something I wrote about in my book, Bigger Labor; A Crash Course for Construction Union Organizers. I was glad to see so many organizers and local unions embracing social networking. All were encouraged to link sites and members together for greater communication.

The conference was held at Bally’s Las Vegas and was attended by over 1000 of the top organizers and labor leaders from the United States and Canada. The keynote speaker was IBEW, International President Edwin D. Hill. Hill reminded the delegates that challenges create opportunities. Las Vegas Mayor, Oscar B. Goodman welcomed delegates to the city. Comedian Mark Lundholm who has appeared on Comedy Central and has had his own Showtime Comedy Special provided energetic humor in the opening session.

Director of Construction Organizing, Kirk Brungard gave the opening remarks on the second day. He also led a panel discussion on Grabbing The Green Energy Market with experts Solomon Furer, Paul Costello, Dennis Affinati, Bill Dever, Michael Redlund and John Bourne. Veronica Soto, of the We Build program spoke on Developing the Message. I had the honor of helping to present a training session on Organizing Work in Public Agencies. The construction seminar offered attendees an opportunity to practice public speaking before a mock city council on issues related to public work projects. Other training sessions included construction law, Apprenticeship Updates, Building a Vibrant Volunteer Organizing Committee, etc.

At the closing session, guest speaker, Stewart Acuff from the AFL-CIO gave a passionate speech on the need to pass National Healthcare Reform now.

Healthcare Reform Theme for Labor Day Parade

Hundreds of marchers carried signs and banners in support of President Obama’s Healthcare Reform Plan at this year's 30th Annual Labor Day Parade and Picnic. An effort by Democrat’s to provide health coverage to American workers is meeting stiff opposition by powerful health insurance corporations and employer funded right wing Republican politicians. What a great day for a parade and to renew Labor’s core values of service, fairness and giving people a voice in their workplace.

Members of Los Angles trade unions came together to celebrate labor’s rich heritage of helping workers and their families. The parade features big rigs, marching bands, floats, classic cars and motorcycles. The weather was perfect, just right for a picnic. Despite a poor economy and perhaps because of the fact; more people than ever before marched in the parade. The route wound through a working class neighborhood and ended in Banning Park where a huge barbeque and rally took place.

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My name is Bob Oedy, and I’m the author of The Green Career Ladder, a step-by-step guide to profitable careers in sustainable energy. In the past, most people who were concerned about the environment had to choose between making a difference and making a living, but those days are over. Volatile energy prices and technological change now make it possible to save the planet and get rich at the same time. Working in Green energy is like working in Hollywood: there are a lot of people who want to get into the industry for reasons that have nothing to do with money. They’re willing to take a pay cut because they want to do good work, and there are plenty of companies willing to exploit that idealism to get cheap labor. I don’t want you to fall into that trap. I want to see you succeed and reach the pinnacle of your dreams. I’ll show you how in The Green Career Ladder.

Green Jobs Now!

The community supports the elimination of ugly power lines in Los Angeles. Power poles and wires are seen as blight to neighborhoods. They are dangerous for both the public and the line workers who work on them and their use destroys forests. For years politicians, various community groups and labor have been meeting to come up with solutions and are now asking the city to "Invest in a Green LA".

City Council Member Herb Wesson held a press conference on the West Lawn at Los Angeles City Hall. Backed by supporters he announced the Green Jobs Bond Initiative which will provide substantial investment for three Green programs.
1) The Green Retrofit and Workforce Program.
2) LA River Master Plan
3) LA CleanTech Manufacturing Corridor Initiative

The goal is to put 25 percent of LA’s power lines underground by 2030, retrofit all affordable housing, and require LEED silver standards or better for residential rehabilitation projects funded by the Housing Dept. These projects will lead to the development of Green jobs and provide a Green career ladder for young people.