Secretary-Treasurer ’ s Message
THE UNION AS SANCTUARY , CENTER OF HOPE , ACTIVISM AND JUSTICE
“ If you know where you are , you know who you are !” ( T . T . Williams )
There are some really good articles in this issue of the VOICE about what 770 , what we all , have to do this year . But I would like to direct my comments about “ from where ” we are going to undertake some of those campaigns .
This year marks the opening of the Local 770 ’ s eighth office ! The Ricardo F . Icaza Worker Center , located in Southeast Los Angeles County ( 5400 Pacific Blvd ., Huntington Park ) is now our newest location ... and what a beautiful building !!
For over 3 years , we have searched , researched and then designed and re-built a former hardware store ( with 100 % Union Labor ) into a working union office . Offices , workplaces are important . It steadies us , straightens our posture , nurtures and gives our organization strength .
Our objective here is to not only provide accessible services to our members in the most Southeast part of our jurisdiction , but also to provide :
• A location for many of our negotiations ,
BEFORE
• A logistical center for many of our contract campaigns ,
• A launching pad for our organizing efforts ( especially in packing and food processing in the neighboring city of Vernon ).
Additionally , we plan to expand our protective efforts to not only our members , but their families , their neighbors and any worker who seeks respect , justice and dignity on the job . That is why we are calling it a “ worker center ”. Because we realize that when we bring the dream of a better America to every community , we enrich the understanding within that community of the important work that Unions do , the important value that Local 770 offers .
We will be offering service , advocacy and union organizing . Our purchase of this brick and mortar building reflects our pledge , our loyalty to those low wage workers on the edge of the dream .
We will be providing :
• Redress to those victims of wage theft ;
• Education and support around health and safety issues in the workplace ;
• Pathways to citizenship and improved worker status ;
• Repairing the harm of mass incarceration by reforming re-entry programs and providing assistance to our members and their families to be able to contribute fully in our communities .
We will be advocating :
• Policy changes against unfair and unjust employment policies ;
• Resolution of problematic individual employer practices .
We will be organizing our members , their families and neighborhoods to stand with us to make our communities better .
These are just some of the steps we seek to undertake in order to fulfill the intent of your Executive Board ’ s unanimously adopted resolution to renew our commitment : “... to promote and defend democratic ideals and the economic security of Local 770 members , their families and of workers generally .”
This resolution , our Magna Carta for the 21st century , reflects the priorities and obligations Local 770 owes to our members and all of those communities where they live and work .
Because , as the noted architect , Frank Lloyd Wright said , if you are living ( or working ) in the wrong place , that is a self-inflicted handicap . But when you are in the right place , you have found the foundation for a fulfilling life . And , with our new worker center , we are ready to fulfill this promise .
Si Se Puede !
AFTER
JOHN GRANT Secretary-Treasurer
Issue 4 THE VOICE December 2016 4