On Mutually Beneficial Friendships, Electrified Trains, and a Slightly Misnamed Holiday

Council Partnerships That Matter

Much can be said for nurturing relationships with political insiders at City Hall. It’s a strategy that has consistently paid off for unions and labor councils looking to make the presence of their membership felt on the political level in cities like ours.

Recently, however, I’ve found it’s the private-sector alliances that have proven to be even more fruitful for those in our line of work.

I chalk that up to the sense of urgency that seems to be innate to business — specifically, the property development business. It’s a do-or-die, dog-eat-dog market. The stakes are always high in real estate and private capital, often necessitating the dreaming-up of big ideas that are eventually presented at the public table, where City Hall is asked to implement them.

The life cycle of these big ideas tends to follow a certain trajectory. First, concepts are hatched in the construction trailer, the downtown office, or the hotel lobby restaurant. Then, carefully, they’re placed into the hands of advocates, lobbyists, staffers, and political fixers who are capable of putting the right spin on things sufficient to grab a sympathetic ear or two within the halls of power. That’s all it takes to get the ball rolling.

The private-sector relationships established and nurtured by this council, while often less visible, are key to the success of our work endeavors. Reaching out and building partnerships that extend into the development and finance communities has proven just as important as our political organizing in extending our influence. And when it comes to our influence among this class of employers and capital-providers, it probably goes without saying that this council's ultimate goal has always been to use that influence to earn as much work as possible for our members.

But as today’s financial markets and overheated political discourse continue to scare away capital from the City, we’ve had to adapt. While the economy and the culture roll and tumble, our approach to developers and financiers — and their relationship to us — changes accordingly.

Nowadays, it’s not enough to negotiate a project labor agreement and to help entitle a project. More and more, we’re forced to apply maximal creative thinking to come up with innovative and sustainable ways of funding and moving forward on phased projects. Our successful work in support of enhanced infrastructure financing districts is one example of this. Another is our current involvement in business tax reform negotiations, which you’ll see manifested on your November ballot in the form of Measure M. (Make sure you vote yes on Measure M!)

These partnerships are essential. We’re fortunate to have reasonable folks to work with, too, here in San Francisco — people who make it known that they share our vision of putting local working-class people on the jobsite and paying them well. The project leaders we work with are on board with the notion that the Bay Area’s building trades workers are the people who should be rebuilding our city so that all may share in the prosperity and vibrancy that has always made San Francisco a beacon.

This council will forge ahead in its role as full-service partner as we continue to enter agreements and get our affiliate members back to work on good projects that affirm both the dignity of labor and the dignity of this city.

Caltrain Kicks Off Green Transit, Celebrates Electrification

On Saturday, August 10, I had the privilege of representing this council’s affiliate unions at the launch of the fully electrified Caltrain service at the 4th and King station — otherwise known as the Caltrain Depot — in SoMa.

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla took to the podium and shouted out unions for delivering this project, and House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi gave a special thanks to the skilled hands of the building trades. It’s nice to see our federal partners acknowledge you and the hard work you perform. Sadly, I can’t say the same of our local political leadership, as Mayor London Breed had nothing to say about the workers who made this visionary project a success. I was disappointed, if unsurprised.

The new electrified train, however, did not disappoint. The new service is cleaner, quieter, and faster. Many event attendees toured the train cars, where they tested the push-button doors that allow for access between cars, tried out the Wi-Fi, and surveyed the power plugs at every seat.

I was taken aback by the miles and miles of overhead catenary lines that supply continuous electrical power to the new train fleet. These lines are a monumental yet easy way to keep trains moving without burning fossil fuels. My pride swelled for our Local 6 electricians, as well as all of the other crafts that supported the electrification.

The Caltrain electrification project is a testament to the efficiency and productivity of a PLA. It’s also a timely celebration at a time when this council continues to coordinate with other regional building trades councils on capturing more work as Caltrain gears up for future capital projects.

We’ll keep you plugged into these projects on the pages of this newspaper, so stay tuned.

Happy Union Day

Many of you have likely made plans to spend time with family and friends during this upcoming holiday weekend, and that’s fantastic. Have a blast, and savor the relaxation.

But I would encourage everyone to take a moment to honor those who came before us. Thousands of our union predecessors sacrificed so much — many times even their lives — to make possible the dignified jobsite conditions and union-work-exclusive contracts that we enjoy today.

I’ve always thought Labor Day really ought to be called Union Day. The average American should understand that the only reason there’s a modicum of respect for and decent treatment of workers in this country is thanks to its unions, whose committed, righteous members were brave and bold enough to demand it. Without their efforts, the rapaciousness and brutality of industry would’ve carried on unchecked, chewing us up and spitting us out, literally and with impunity.

So, that’s why I think “Union Day” would more precisely commemorate the national holiday that exists because of this movement of which we are all fortunate enough to be a part. It’s a movement that has lifted the standards for all workers and continues to do so to this day. If we called it Union Day, at least then people would know who to thank for the three-day weekend!

In any case, it is my hope that you enjoy the Labor Day weekend just a bit more as union members — as people who understand that this country was built by working-class people like you and that the working class throughout the nation has been lifted out of poverty by the very movement you represent today: the trade union movement.

My best to you and yours for a safe and restful weekend.