Economics

Union Rift Threatens Local Oakland Jobs

Published

7 years ago

October 13, 2017

Over the last several months, Oakland residents have been bombarded by phone calls, mailers, leaflets and most recently an online poll opposing one the largest development projects in recent memory. The claim from a group called East Bay Residents for Responsible Development (EBRRD) is that SunCal, master developer of Oak Knoll, has refused to negotiate project labor agreements with Oakland unions. But, SunCal has a deal with one of Oakland’s largest unions.

Forbes recently ranked Oakland as one of the 10 fastest-growing cities in the U.S. SunCal’s Oak Knoll promises to create thousands of jobs as the company prepares the former site of the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital for the construction of new homes, new retail and new community facilities.

Unions in Oakland once maintained an unbreakable code of brotherhood—rooted in conduct that supported labor and all the various trades.

“It didn’t matter who was working, as long as it was a local union. We supported our brothers and sisters, end of story,” says Fernando Estrada, Business Manager-Secretary/Treasurer of the Local 304 of LiUNA—the Oakland union that has executed a project labor agreement with SunCal.

But over the summer, this code of conduct was broken when Estrada and the Local 304 were targeted by the East Bay Residents for Responsible Development (EBRRD) after signing an agreement with SunCal.

The East Bay is backed by the mechanical trades, leaving LiUNA in uncharted union waters. “I just can’t understand why they’re trying to undermine us—it just doesn’t make any sense,” said Estrada.

EBRRD has saturated Oakland households with a stream of robo- calls and direct mail imploring residents to “Stop SunCal” and “Say NO to Oak Knoll” which, if successful, would kill the project and the thousands of associated jobs.

The problem started when the Building Trades, an umbrella organization, failed to broker a broad union deal on Oak Knoll. “Word came down that each union should go out and try to negotiate their own contract, which was standard,” said Estrada.

Fernando Estrada, Business Manager-Secretary/Treasurer of the Local 304 of LiUNA.

“This system was employed for years and was completely respected,” Estrada added. “Just like when the mechanical trades got the Mervyns job over in Hayward. We didn’t get it, but fully supported them. This is how it’s always worked and we were proud to stand by our union brothers.”

“The majority of our jobs go to Oaklanders,” said Estrada. According to the Office of the Oakland City Administrator, a FY 15-16 and FY16-17 review showed that the Laborers from the 304 generated 54 percent of all project work hours;

74 percent of local hires; and was responsible for 65 percent of the Oakland apprentice work hours for the entire City of Oakland.

“It’s always been a priority for us to make sure that the construction work at Oak Knoll be made available to residents of Oakland. Our agreement with the Local 304 will now ensure that more than 70 percent of the work will stay in Oakland—no other labor union can make those claims,” said SunCal spokesman David Soyka.

“This phase of our involvement with the Oak Knoll project is just the beginning for Oakland unions,” says Estrada. When it’s time to build sidewalks, houses and roads, we look forward to seeing unions doing the work,” he added.

“My job is to make sure that folks from Oakland and members of our union have a chance to have a career,” Estrada said. “This project is good for our members and it’s good for Oakland and we will do our part to make sure city leaders know it.”

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2024 in Review: 7 Questions for Outgoing Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln

Lincoln’s decision to run for mayor stemmed from his love of people and his desire to serve his city. He prioritized resolving issues, including homelessness and public safety, among others. Lincoln, a Republican, will transition out of his role as mayor on Dec. 31, after an unsuccessful campaign to represent the 9th Congressional District.

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln. Photo provided by California Black Media.

Kevin Lincoln, outgoing mayor of Stockton, CA, captured during his tenure as a leader dedicated to the city’s progress and community engagement.

By Edward Henderson
California Black Media

Born in Stockton, Mayor Kevin Lincoln says his Army upbringing inspired him to serve others.

Lincoln joined the United States Marine Corps in 2001 and was later assigned to Marine One, serving during President George W. Bush’s administration.

Following his military service, Lincoln worked for one of the nation’s top private security companies for eight years in Silicon Valley. In 2013, he resigned from his corporate position to give back to his community in Stockton through full-time ministry at a local church.

Lincoln’s decision to run for mayor stemmed from his love of people and his desire to serve his city. He prioritized resolving issues, including homelessness and public safety, among others.

Lincoln, a Republican, will transition out of his role as mayor on Dec. 31, after an unsuccessful campaign to represent the 9^th Congressional District.

Recently, California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Lincoln. He reflected on his accomplishments this year and his goals moving forward.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement and why? 

What I prioritize for our city council is our youth. They are the future — not only our city, but this region as a whole.

We were able to invest over $6 million in youth programming and workforce development, and partner with 14 different community-based organizations. We were able to employ over 600 young people through the city of Stockton. We launched even our first ever summer jobs program for the city of Stockton.

How did your leadership and investments contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians? 

It’s about giving people a seat at the table, and not necessarily waiting for people to come to me, but me going to the community, making myself accessible, meeting our community at the point of their need, where they’re at.

What frustrated you the most over the last year?

It’s politics. Because unfortunately, there’s politics in everything. And I say politics impedes progress. You can have a policy, a solution that may not necessarily be 100% perfect. But it’s a good solution for everybody. But because we allow politics to get in the way based off our personal ideologies, oftentimes we can miss opportunities to make an impact for the benefit of the whole.

What inspired you the most over the last year?

My biggest inspiration has been the community and our ability to work together. What’s unique about Stockton, one in 20 jobs are nonprofit jobs in the city of Stockton and even San Joaquin County.

What is one lesson you learned in 2024 that will inform your decision-making next year?

To stay focused. In politics, there’s a lot of opportunity for distractions. There are a lot of influences from the outside — good, bad and indifferent. It’s important to stay focused, have a clear vision, and be committed to that vision.

In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face?

Economics. When the economy is not healthy, when we’re not thriving, we’re limited. Opportunities are limited.

What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025?

I just want to continue to be a servant leader and serve our community in whatever capacity I am in.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

Published

6 days ago

December 20, 2024

Oakland Post

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Council of Islamic Relations Applauds Alameda County Decision to Divest $32M from Caterpillar

The divestment from Caterpillar, a company criticized for its human rights abuses globally—including the destruction of Palestinian homes, infrastructure, and agriculture, as well as in the U.S. prison-industrial complex, border militarization, and immigration detention centers—is a significant step in ensuring that Alameda County’s financial resources do not perpetuate harm.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 14, 2024

Oakland Post

CAIR-SFBA Policy Coordinator Musa Tariq. Courtesy photo.

Special to The Post

The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, this week welcomed the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ decision to divest $32 million in public funds from Caterpillar and unanimously commit to adopting an ethical investment policy.

The Board’s decision follows months of advocacy by Bay Area Divest!, a coalition of community organizations calling for accountability in public investments.

In November, CAIR welcomed the reported freeze on the delivery of bulldozers to Israel as an “implicit admission” by the Biden Administration that the far-right Netanyahu government is using that equipment in the ethnic cleansing of Gaza.

CAIR-SFBA Policy Coordinator Musa Tariq said:

“This is a historic moment for Alameda County, demonstrating the power of community advocacy and the County’s leadership in ethical governance. The decision to divest from Caterpillar sends a clear message that public funds should not support corporations complicit in human rights violations.”

In addition to divesting from Caterpillar, the Board voted to move forward with developing a comprehensive Ethical Investment Policy, recommended by District 5 Supervisor Keith Carson.

This policy will include criteria to exclude “investments in industries, corporations, or governments that perpetuate harm to communities and the planet,” such as fossil fuel extraction, weapons production, and entities involved in war crimes, apartheid, and other severe human rights violations.

Alameda County has a proud legacy of socially responsible investment. In 1985, the County divested from South Africa to protest apartheid, and in 1996, it barred investments in companies doing business with Burma due to human rights abuses.

“This forward-thinking policy positions Alameda County as a leader in socially responsible investing,” added Tariq. “By committing to craft the policy within 90 days and implement it within six months, the County has set an ambitious and commendable timeline.”

CAIR-SFBA is an office of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.