In what city officials call a
”
highly unusual
”
move, a lawyer for labor unions has copied all plans on file
with the City of Gilroy for the Glen Loma Ranch development. He has
also requested and received a 30-day delay in the review of the
Glen Loma Ranch project.
In what city officials call a “highly unusual” move, a lawyer for labor unions has copied all plans on file with the City of Gilroy for the Glen Loma Ranch development. He has also requested and received a 30-day delay in the review of the Glen Loma Ranch project.
That lawyer, Daniel Cardozo, dismisses concerns that the unions’ intentions are to force the project’s developer to use union labor in the massive project, which calls for two schools and more than 900 homes to be built on 392 acres along Santa Teresa Boulevard.
“Outrageous,” he called such worries. No, Cardozo says, he’s just watching to make sure the project is going to be environmentally sensitive.
Who has anointed the labor unions’ as the environmental review police? That isn’t under their purview.
Labor unions were formed in a time when businesses had unquestioned power over their workers’ lives and frequently abused that power.
Unions were formed to protect worker safety and to help them bargain for fair wages and better benefits than they would receive individually.
Conducting an environmental review, delaying an important project, and – some fear – possibly extorting the project’s developer to use union labor under threat of further delays, do not fall under the purpose of organized labor.
We hope that Cardoza is telling the truth, and we warn the labor unions that if their actions have even a whiff of such blackmail tactics, they will awaken an anger in Gilroy residents that will rival the voter anger just directed at recalled Gov. Gray Davis.
Organized labor has suddenly started paying attention to Gilroy politics; witness the clear union ties Gilroy First! – a supposed voter education group – tries to downplay. That group has three members running for elected office in Gilroy this November.
Gilroy voters know which candidates are knee-deep in union activity, who has received labor endorsements. If the unions think they can win points with the city’s electorate with hardball, arm-twisting tactics, they are sorely mistaken.
We urge labor unions and their hired guns to stick to their mandate – representing union workers in their dealings with management – and leave the process of managing Gilroy’s development to those elected by our citizens.
Gilroyans have democratically elected city council members to review all projects and have hired planning professionals to make sure projects meet all environmental, planning and zoning codes.
Gilroyans have not elected Daniel Cardozo or the unions he represents to do anything. We suggest they, pardon our bluntness, butt out.
If the unions choose another tack, there will be a hefty to price to pay at the ballot box.
