Coalition for a Strong Middle Class
WHEREAS, the San Diego County Democratic Party supports strengthening San Diego County’s middle class in order to achieve (1) balanced neighborhoods and communities, (2) broader economic prosperity, (3) personal environmentalism among more residents, (4) a greater number of residents with health care coverage; and
WHEREAS, the Coalition for a Strong Middle Class was created in an effort to reach out to organizations in the community that believe in strengthening San Diego County’s middle class through progressive public policy; and
WHEREAS, the Coalition for a Strong Middle Class states in its platform that (1) living wage jobs are the backbone of our economy; (2) every job should provide health care; (3) secure retirements support healthy communities; (4) local hiring recycles local dollars back into our economies; and (5) career opportunities in the new “Green Economy” are essential in rebuilding our economy;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the San Diego County Democratic Party supports the platform of the Coalition for a Strong Middle Class; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the San Diego County Democratic Party (1) joins that Coalition for a Strong Middle Class; (2) permits the Coalition for a Strong Middle Class to refer to San Diego County Democratic as a member; (3) commits to making a good-faith effort to send a representative to the coalition’s public announcements, such as press conferences; and (4) to provide input to the coalition on matters of public policy as desired.
Adopted by the San Diego Democratic Central Committee on 17 March 2009
Employee Free Choice Act
WHEREAS, in 1935, the United States of America established, by law, that workers must be free to form unions; and in 1948, and the freedom to form or join a union is internationally recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a fundamental human right; and
WHEREAS, workers across the nation are routinely denied the freedom to form unions and bargain for a better life, with (1) 25 percent of private-sector employers illegally firing at least one worker for union activity during organizing campaigns; and
(2) employers often refusing to bargain fairly with workers after forming a union by dragging out first contract bargaining for up to two years in 45 percent of successful campaigns; and
WHEREAS, the Employee Free Choice Act will safeguard workers’ ability to (1) make their own decisions on how to form a union, (2) provide for first contract mediation and arbitration, and (2) establish meaningful penalties when employers violate workers’ rights; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the San Diego County Democratic Party recognizes that workers should be the granted the ability to form a union, joining the (1) Democratic members of Congress who represent San Diego County – including Rep. Susan Davis, Rep. Bob Filner and Senator Barbara Boxer – who co-sponsor the Employee Free Choice Act in the U.S. Congress; and (2) the 77 percent of the public who believe it is important for workers to have the freedom to make their own decision about how to form a union; and (3) the 58 percent of Americans say they would join a union if they had the chance; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the San Diego County Democratic Party urges U.S. Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act to protect and preserve for America’s workers their freedom to choose for themselves whether or not to form a union by (1) notifying Democratic members of the Congressional Delegation from San Diego County, including the aforementioned co-sponsors of the Employee Free Choice Act as well as those who are not; and (2) permitting that organizations promoting the Employee Free Choice Act list the San Diego County Democratic Party as an endorser.
Adopted by the San Diego Democratic Central Committee on 17 March 2009
Project Labor Agreements
WHEREAS, The San Diego County Democratic Party supports the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, in promoting (1) a skilled local workforce; (2) economic prosperity and a safe workplace for local workers; (3) the economic base of the communities where government-funded projects are undertaken, thereby ensuring that government is not lowering the standard of living; and (4) accountability for construction contractors in paying livable wages, providing health care and retirement benefits, and hiring local workers; and
WHEREAS, Project Labor Agreements have proven to be the most effective and only legal method for (1) requiring contractors to provide health care to construction workers on a public works project such as a school bond-funded capital improvement project, and (2) requiring that workers from local communities or from impoverished neighborhoods be employed on public works projects; and
WHEREAS, President Barack Obama, on February 6, 2009, signed an executive order encouraging all federal agencies to consider Project Labor Agreements for facility, highway, or other construction projects of significant value—stating that they would establish clear workplace rights, safety procedures on large construction projects, and taxpayer protections;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the San Diego County Democratic Party applauds and supports decisions by (1) the San Diego Unified School District to negotiate with the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, a Project Labor Agreement for Proposition S school construction; and (2) other agencies and developers who decide in the future to negotiate Project Labor Agreements in order to improve the standard of living for local construction workers and to create accountability standards for contractors.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the San Diego County Democratic Party continues to (1) express its public support of agencies and developers that negotiate Project Labor Agreements; and (2) to educate and ask that candidates for elected office that seek the endorsement of the San Diego County Democratic Party also support Project Labor Agreements.
Adopted by the San Diego Democratic Central Committee on 17 March 2009
Proposition A Sales Tax Initiative in Chula Vista
WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista, like other public agencies throughout California, faces challenging budget conditions as a result of (1) the nationwide economic crisis; (2) having one of the lowest tax revenue per capita rates in San Diego County; and (3) past budget forecasts at the City of Chula Vista that have relied too heavily on continued growth in a residential housing market that has proven faulty in the current economic crisis;
WHEREAS, the Chula Vista City Council – including Democratic Council Members Pamela Bensoussan, Steve Castaneda and Rudy Ramirez -- has proposed voters consider in a citywide mail ballot election that will end on May 5, 2009 the passage of a temporary one-cent sales tax that will expire 10 years from the initiative’s passage, known as Proposition A, to help protect city services during these challenging budget conditions; and
WHEREAS, failure to pass Proposition A will result in (1) fewer police officers assigned to investigate financial and auto theft crimes; the anti-gang and K-9 units at the Police Department will be cut drastically; (2) two after-school diversion programs for at-risk youth will be eliminated; (3) the Chula Vista Nature Center will be shuttered; (4) operating hours at libraries, parks and recreation centers will be reduced and programs eliminated; and (5) streets, parks and other public facilities will become dilapidated;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the San Diego County Democratic Party supports the passage of Proposition A in Chula Vista, which would allow the city to better stave off cuts to city services that were caused by the current economic crisis; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the San Diego County Democratic Party (1) urges the voters of Chula Vista to vote yes on Proposition A in the mail ballot election that concludes May 5, 2009; and (2) allows proponents of Proposition A to list it as an endorser of the initiative for campaigning purposes.
Adopted by the San Diego Democratic Central Committee on 17 March 2009
United for Clean and Safe Ports
WHEREAS, the Unified Port of San Diego acts as the local steward of State of California-owned public tidelands on and around San Diego Bay, per the Port Act of 1962; and
WHEREAS, advocates of environmental justice, labor, public health and the neighborhoods within the port community have formed the United for Clean and Safe Ports coalition to maintain good jobs while maximizing use of renewable energy and reducing air pollution to protect worker and community health on the tidelands of San Diego Bay; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned coalition authored and supports a United for Clean and Safe Ports platform, which advocates (1) to reduce diesel pollution from ships docked at all terminals through shorepowering and alternative technologies, including the installation of shorepower technology for the Dole terminal by 2011; (2) to develop and implement a Sustainable Energy Plan to achieve 50 megawatts of new generation or demand reduction in five years; (3) to reduce diesel pollution from trucks servicing the terminals through retrofits and replacements, and strict enforcement of state regulations; (4) to reduce diesel pollution from cargo handling equipment on the terminals through full retrofit and replacement; and (5) to support a combined funding strategy to pay for these air quality improvements, including maximum access of state funds such as Proposition 1B and Carl Moyer funds, Port of San Diego revenue and contributions by the terminal businesses.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the San Diego County Democratic Party supports the United for Clean and Safe Ports platform, which will better improve air quality and energy efficiency at port terminal operations on San Diego Bay; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the San Diego County Democratic Party (1) urges the Port Commission to adopt the policies of the United for Clean and Safe Ports platform, and (2) will join the United for Clean and Safe Ports coalition and allow the coalition to list the San Diego County Democratic Party as a coalition member.
Adopted by the San Diego Democratic Central Committee on 17 March 2009
Resolution to support Mona Rios to fill the vacancy on the city council
for National City via appointment or special election
WHEREAS: the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee concluded, through endorsement, that National City needs new and dynamic leadership to overcome challenges on many levels and we supported two candidates that best represent that spirit, Alejandra Sotelo-Solis and Mona Rios; and
WHEREAS: Mona Rios being a fourth generation resident of National City, and being a dedicated public servant serving the needs of the children of National City as a librarian, and as such has been recognized for efforts in literacy and enhancing the lives of many in National City; and
WHEREAS: Fourteen point seven percent (14.7%) of the Citizens of National City that voted on November 4, 2008 voted for Mona garnering a third place finish, and that the public has made their choice in the matter of selection of a replacement city councilperson that has recently been vacated.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the San Diego County Democratic Party fully supports appointing Mona Rios to the National City City Council; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That if Mona Rios is not selected that the city hold an election to fill the post as we believe that the democratic process be a final arbiter in the section process.
Adopted by the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee on 1.13.09
For 2008 and earlier resolutions click HERE.
