By Staff / The OB Rag

The campaign against San Diego labor leader Mickey Kasparian is heating up, as a protest calling for his resignation as head of the local labor council is being held today, Wednesday, Jan. 25th at 6pm outside a labor delegates meeting.

Three women have filed gender discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuits against Kasparian, the president of UFCW Local 135, who also sits as the President of the Labor Council.

Sandy Naranjo filed a gender discrimination lawsuit after being unjustly fired. Retired co-worker Isabel Vasquez filed a sexual harassment claim alleging sexual misconduct. And current UFCW employee Anabel Arauz filed a retaliation/discrimination claim against the union, Kasparian and secretary-treasurer (and current San Diego Unified School Board President) Richard Barrera.

Supporters of the three women are holding the demonstration today. They will be holding signs in support of Sandy, Isabel & Anabel and will be calling on San Diego Labor Council Delegates to show public support for these women and to demand the resignation of Mickey Kasparian.

The 6pm protest will be held at the San Diego Labor Council Delegates Meeting, the International Association of Machinists hall at 5150 Kearney Mesa Rd.

The support group, called We Stand With Sandy, Isabel & Anabel, has been leading the campaign, holding other protests and gathering support for the women. In their press release, a number of supporters are quoted.

Councilman David Alvarez recently had this to say about the cases:

“I am disgusted by the allegations that Mickey Kasparian harassed women and abused his power. Harassment and mistreatment of women is wrong. I will always use my voice to stand up against harassment, no matter who or how powerful the harasser might be.”

Former UFCW insurance and pension clerk Odette McAdams said:

“He’s taking advantage of a good union. He is a disgrace to our union Local 135, the sexual harassment, intimidation, bullying, demeaning women. It needs to stop. We need Mickey to resign.”

Retired Local 135 staffer Claudia Gonzales has stated:

“Mickey Kasparian runs a very oppressive and hostile office.”

Former UFCW employee Will Johnson claimed:

“We know that political retaliation happens in this union. We understand that. It needs to end.”

For more information visit the Facebook event Protest Mickey Kasparian at Labor Council Delegates Meeting.