Credit: Mind on Fire / Flickr
The Union-Tribune and Times of San Diego have both posted stories about a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit filed on Thursday. A San Carlos Albertsons is alleged to have created a hostile work environment and harassed Hispanic employees by forbidding them from speaking Spanish on the premises, even to each other on break or to Spanish-speaking customers.
From the Times of San Diego:
Beginning in late 2012, the Albertsons store on Lake Murray Boulevard near Navajo Road prohibited employees from speaking Spanish around non-Spanish speakers, including when they spoke to Spanish-speaking customers and during breaks, the suit said.
The EEOC alleges that Albertsons managers at the San Carlos location publicly reprimanded Hispanic employees caught speaking Spanish. The EEOC also contends that no corrective action was taken, despite numerous employee complaints, forcing employees to transfer to other stores.
You’d think that a grocery store whose employees were represented by the United Foodservice and Commercial Workers Local 135 wouldn’t be able to get away with such an outrageous policy, which apparently stemmed from a training video shown to managers and employees.
Mickey Kasparian, president of the union that represents local Albertsons workers, said he learned of the suit, and the case, Thursday.
Did his United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 135 help the grocery workers in their battle with management?
Kasparian said: “Only if they came to us and told us of the problem. No workers ever mentioned this to us.”
That’s not what the lawsuit says, according to the Union-Tribune coverage:
One on occasion, in October 2012, the manager scolded reprimanded both Zamorano, an employee since 2007, and Stevenson, an employee since 1989, “in front of the store” for speaking Spanish, the lawsuit alleged.
When Zamorano called Albertsons’ hotline to complain, the union representative who investigated the complaint told her “she needed to speak English because she was living in the United States,” and took no further action, the lawsuit says.
In other news, the Union-Tribune reports:
Labor leader Mickey Kasparian’s union has given $150,000 to support former Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña’s bid for county supervisor — a single contribution that is several times greater than what the candidate has raised herself throughout her campaign.
Campaign finance records show that a pro-Saldaña committee run by the San Diego Working Families Council — a consortium of labor unions — received the contribution from the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135 on Wednesday. Both the council and the union are run by Kasparian.
The pro-Saldaña committee had previously received a $50,000 contribution from the Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 89, bringing the new total to $200,000 in donations.
Private polling was done earlier in the campaign reportedly funded by a Republican donor indicating the only way for Saldaña to have a shot at winning in the primary was through attacks on fellow Democrat Nathan Fletcher. The local GOP is still seething over Fletcher’s decision to leave the party.
From an article in the Union-Tribune following the Democratic Party’s early endorsement of Fletcher:
While Fletcher officially has the party’s blessing, other Democratic candidates and their supporters have been critical of the party’s move. One of the candidates, attorney Omar Passons, has complained that the endorsement process was not transparent, and that some candidates, including himself, weren’t given a fair chance to make their case.
Another high-profile Democrat who is running, former Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña, filed paperwork to run after the endorsement process was long underway. Criticism of the party’s pending decision grew over the last week as political insiders circulated a February survey from the Lincoln Club, a Republican bastion, that showed, with certain messaging, Fletcher would finish third in the June 2018 primary campaign just behind Saldaña and former District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, a Republican.
The county Republican Party also launched an attack website against Fletcher and made hay over his tenure in the Assembly as a Republican, his campaign for San Diego mayor as an Independent, and his later membership in the Democratic Party.
It should be noted that the $150,000 contribution is in addition to an earlier $50,000, meaning there is $200K in the pot. Since the committee legally must be independent of the Saldaña campaign, you can be fairly certain this money will be used primarily for negative messaging.
Back when Mickey Kasparian was president of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Central Labor Council, he backed the mayoral candidacy of City Councilman David Alvarez against Fletcher in the special election following the resignation of Bob Filner. (The San Diego Free Press endorsed Alvarez in that election)
Kasparian’s UFCW and a handful of other unions loyal to him quit the Labor Council just as the national AFL-CIO was moving in to put the organization in trusteeship. He settled lawsuits (now under non-disclosure agreements) brought by four women claiming harassment and discrimination early in 2018.
I think this is all about revenge against his political opponents on the Labor Council and those who supported the campaign of Las Tres Hermanas to bring Kasparian to task for the accusations made against him by women.
The Central Labor Council has since come out of trusteeship. It recently donated $35,000 to San Diegans Opposed to Hypocrisy and Lori Saldana for Supervisor 2018. The United Domestic Workers also contributed $20,000 to the committee.
So, while San Diego should be building up for a big blue wave in 2018, $255,000 or more is about to get spent in a war of assured mutual destruction.
I’m really glad we endorsed Omar Passons in the current County Supervisors contest.
In the meantime, I propose that activists in San Diego focus on the things we can control, like supporting the campaigns of Matt Strabone (County Assessor), Dave Myers (County Sheriff), Geneviéve Jones-Wright (District Attorney) and Monica Montgomery (City Council D4).
Check out this week’s Progressive Calendar listings below. Following those listings are upcoming events of national importance, along with opportunities for organizational involvement.
Get your event listed: I try to list the next 10 days or so of mostly non-commercial events I think our readers might find of interest. I source my material from social media listings and press releases. Club meetings will be listed IF there are speakers and they are open to the public.
Democratic Candidates: I will list all non-fundraising events open to the general public. A listing does not imply endorsement. Events that are listed on Facebook as ‘private’ or sold-out are not listed. In cases where there are competing but similar events or campaigns of the progressive persuasion, I do my best to list everything.
May 4
North County Rumble: Board of Supervisors District 5 Debate
Friday, May 4, 7pm
Valley Center Middle
28102 North Wholford Road (Valley Center)
For More Information
Hosted by The North County Rumble – Board of Supervisors District 5 Debate and Valley Roadrunner
• Jerry Kern, Oceanside City Councilman
• Jim Desmond, Mayor of San Marcos
• Michelle Gomez, Commissioner/Legislative Analyst
• Jacqueline Arsivaud, Chair, Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Town CouncilModerators
• William Del Pilar and David Ross
May 5
Vote for Change! Intersections of Peace and Politics at USD
Saturday, May 5, 10:30am
University of San Diego
University Center (UC) Room 103 AB
5998 Acala Park
For More Information
Hosted by Woke San Diego
Those of us who want to see progress in San Diego find multiple opportunities to engage our “duty to fight.” It’s more difficult to engage our “duty to win.” And when I say win, I mean effecting fundamental, positive change.
Monica Montgomery, Genevieve Jones-Wright, and Omar Passons are taking steps to create fundamental change in San Diego by running for major offices. Monica is running for City Council, Genevieve is running for District Attorney and Omar is running for the County Board of Supervisors. This is our opportunity to engage the “duty to win.”At the Woke San Diego event held at SDSU, Monica, Genevieve, and Omar will explain what their prospective offices do and why the actions of city council members, the district attorney, and county supervisors matter to those who want to move this City and County forward. They will discuss how their platforms will advance the movement toward progress.The only way Monica, Genevieve, and Omar can implement their platforms is through the support of the community. We must ensure that they are elected to office by working together with their campaigns. Come to the Woke San Diego event and learn what we must do.
Walk and Knock Vista
Saturday, May 5, 9:30am
Casita Elementary School
260 Cedar Road (Vista)
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by Flip the 49th Neighbors in Action
Flipping the 49th depends on communities in Vista. We just need 2000 more voters to get to the polls next year to say NO to the President Trump Agenda. YOU can help make that happen!
No experience needed! We provide training, scripts, walk lists, breakfast food & snacks. Wear walking shoes, hats (or sunscreen) and sunglasses, and get ready to take some direct action and talk to voters.
Alianza Meeting
Saturday, May 5, 9am
IBEW Local 569
4545 Viewridge Avenue #100
For More Information
Hosted by IBEW Local 569
Alianza is a new club that seeks to further the purpose of the EWMC and IBEW by engaging with Latino communities throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties. Alianza will assist in creating meaningful community connections that will foster business opportunities and diplomatic ties with local elected officials. Come learn about opportunities to get involved!
Cinco de Mayo Super Walk
Saturday, May 5, 10am
Memorial Park
373 Park Way (Chula Vista)
For More Information
Hosted by Patrick Macfarland for City Council District
Help us celebrate Cinco de Mayo by spreading the word about the Fresh Vision and Fresh Leadership that Patrick MacFarland has to offer Chula Vista! Special guest Imperial Beach Councilmember Mark West will be kicking off the walk. Light refreshments will be provided.
Jim Miller’s “Last Days in Ocean Beach” Book Release
Sunday, May 6, 4:30pm
Tiger! Tiger!
3025 El Cajon Boulevard
For More Information
Hosted by City Works Press and Verbatim Books
Join Verbatim Books at Tiger!Tiger! for the release of Last Days in Ocean Beach, the newest title from Jim Miller of City Works Press!
Last Days in Ocean Beach is the story of William, a scientist working at the Center for Extinction Studies, a think tank at the College of the Sun funded by a green billionaire. William lives “on the border between dread and wonder” as he desperately works to raise the alarm about climate change and its dire consequences to an apathetic public, learns to live with grief, and hold on to love. Along the way, we meet the residents of his wonderfully shabby apartment complex in Ocean Beach–bikers, hippies, skate punks, adventure tourists, reggae singers, aimless young professionals, Iraq war veterans, decadent retirees, a hospice nurse, and a Buddhist monk, all of whom are searching for something, looking to live more fully. Last Days in Ocean Beach is a blues song moaning and rocking the beach party at the end of the world.
Jim Miller is the author of the novels Flash (AK Press, 2010) and Drift (University of Oklahoma Press, 2007). He is also co-author of a history of San Diego, Under the Perfect Sun: The San Diego Tourists Never See (with Mike Davis and Kelly Mayhew on The New Press, 2003) and a cultural studies book on working class sports fandom, Better to Reign in Hell: Inside the Raiders Fan Empire (with Kelly Mayhew on The New Press, 2005). Miller is also the editor of Sunshine/Noir: Writing from San Diego and Tijuana (City Works Press, 2005), Sunshine/Noir II: Writing from San Diego and Tijuana (with Kelly Mayhew on City Works Press, 2015), and Democracy in Education; Education for Democracy: An Oral History of the American Federation of Teachers, Local 1931 (AFT 1931, 2007). He has published poetry, fiction, and non-fiction in a wide range of journals and other publications, and has a weekly column in the San Diego Free Press and the OB Rag.
ROCK the VOTE at Carlsbad Village Street Fair
Sunday, May 6, Noon
Giacoletti Music
505 Carlsbad Village Drive
For More Information
Hosted by MAV for Carlsbad and Priya Bhat-Patel for Carlsbad City Council
Join us at Giacoletti’s Music Store during the Carlsbad Village Street Fair to listen to some fantastic local music, while learning about some fantastic City Council Candidates!
May 8
Danger Alert! Oppose SDG&E’s New Gas Pipeline Now
Tuesday, May 8, 6:30pm
St Paul’s Cathedral
2728 Sixth Avenue
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by SanDiego350
SanDiego350 is leading an effort to oppose SDG&E’s proposed Pipeline 3602, which would run all the way from Rainbow down to Mira Mesa, mainly along Route 15, but possibly going through Mission Trails Park.
This proposed pipeline, which is roughly five times the size of the existing pipeline, is expensive (costing ratepayers at least $600M), unnecessary, unsafe, and would commit us to building new fossil fuel infrastructure when we should be investing in clean energy and renewable energy jobs to avert the worst impacts of climate change.
Local energy experts believe that SDG&E’s real purpose in building this pipeline is to be able to export liquified natural gas from their Baja California terminal to other nations – something that should certainly not be billed to San Diego ratepayers. A preliminary decision on the pipeline at the Public Utilities Commission could happen in the next few weeks, and we are committed to mobilizing San Diegans to oppose this project through advocacy, education, rallies, and other actions.
San Diego LGBTQ Debate
Tuesday, May 8, 6:30
San Diego LGBTQ Center
3909 Centre Street (Hillcrest)
For More Information
San Diego Log Cabin Republicans and the San Diego Democrats For Equality will debate the issues important to our LGBTQ community.
Real Justice Phonebank for Geneviéve Jones-Wright (Tuesdays!)
Tuesday, May 8, 6pm
SEIU Local 221
4004 Kearny Mesa Road
For More Information
Hosted by Shaun King and Real Justice
Come out and help us contact voters to let them know about the upcoming June 5th election and our huge opportunity to advance criminal justice reform by electing Geneviéve Jones-Wright!
No experience needed! The only thing you need to bring is a cell phone. Training and scripts will be provided. Every Tuesday until the election!
May 9
District 3 Budget Town Hall
Wednesday, May 9, 6pm
The Bankers Hill Club
3030 Front Street
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by Councilmember Chris Ward
Join your neighbors for a District 3 Budget Town Hall with a presentation by Independent Budget Analyst, Andrea Tevlin.
May 10
Phone Bank for True Representation
Thursday, May 10, 5:30pm
123 Worthington Street #205
For More Information
Hosted by Monica Montgomery for City Council
Every Thursday in May our campaign will be hosting phone banks to connect with voters about the upcoming election on June 5, 2018. It’s time for change and we are urging community members to vote for Monica Montgomery for City Council District 4 so we can have a voice at city hall! Consistent with what we have done this entire campaign, we are also using this time to build lasting relationships and will sustain those relationships even after the campaign is over. Dialogue is key, and we have the responsibility to inform our community about what is at stake in this race.
Eve Simmons – Big Heart, Little Voice?
Thursday, May 10, 5:30pm
Vista Public Library
700 Eucalyptus Avenue
For More Information
Hosted by North County Climate Change Alliance
Eve is a decades-long Environmental Speaker, Congressional Liaison and Lobbyist, former Wildlife Guide, photojournalist, Fish and Wildlife Advisory Commissioner, and tireless Optimist. She’ll show you how to use the power of your voice and collective action to enlist broadcast media to cover and accurately report the climate crisis. She brings fresh, practical, and powerful tools to the challenges of climate change.
OB Green Center: Double Feature Film Night
Thursday, May 10, 7pm
OB Green Center
4843 Voltaire Street #B
For More Information (Free)
“Trump, The Koch Brothers and Their War on Climate Science” Our planet is riddled with floods, rising sea levels, severe weather, drought, and the highest temperatures in recorded history. Up to 99% of climate scientists agree that the current trajectory of the climate crisis will lead us to an apocalyptic scenario of unimaginable proportions. So why do so many leaders in Washington stand in direct opposition to the science behind climate change? This 2017 documentary exposes the reasoning behind their willful ignorance, and the real power players who pull their strings. (32 minutes)
“The Breakthrough in Renewable Energy” This 2016 documentary by VPRO discusses the silent revolution that is moving across the world. Renewable energy is becoming cheaper than fossil fuels. It means that progressively the choice for wind and solar energy is no longer an ethical one but an economic one. And this will speed up the transfer to renewable energy. (46 minutes)
May 11
Budget Teach-In
Friday, May 11, 5:30pm
4305 University Avenue #640
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by Climate Action Campaign and 8 others
Budget 101 covered the basics of our city budget. Budget 102 took a deeper dive and highlighted the importance of advocacy to ensure our diverse communities are prioritized in the budget.
Join us for our upcoming Budget Teach-In where we’ll review what’s on the mayor’s proposed budget and will prepare for the evening budget hearing.
Film – American Socialist: The Life and Times of Eugene Victor
May 11 – 16
Digital Gym
2921 El Cajon Boulevard
For More Information
The film is narrated by Amy Madigan and features Jeremy Kittel, Fred Benedetti, Jeff Pekarek, Walt Richarda and the Hausmann Quartet on the soundtrack. Elizabeth Schwartz (ex. prod. co-writer) and Yale Strom will attend many of the screenings for Q & A afterward.
2016 Documentary “Under the Gun”
Friday, May 11, 6:30pm
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Dieguito
1036 Solana Drive (Solana Beach)
For More Information
The San Diego County Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence hosts a look at America’s slow-to-change gun laws, which despite frequent mass shootings, have remained largely unaltered. This documentary features interviews with families of the victims of recent shootings, as well as NRA members and politicians involved in the fierce debate.
May 12
Last Days in Ocean Beach
Book Signing and Fundraiser
Saturday, May 12, 4pm
Torque Moto Cafe
3604 3oth Street
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by SanDiego350
Join us for a book signing featuring local author Jim Miller. Jim has donated a box of his new climate-related novels to benefit SD350. Join us and help raise funds as well as enjoy and support local business, Torque Moto Cafe!
Walk and Knock Solana Beach
Saturday, May 12, 9:30am
La Colonia Park
715 Valley Avenue (Solana Beach)
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by Flip the 49th Neighbors in Action
Join us Saturday, May 12th to talk to voters about issues that matter to all of us and the future of our country! This event will be co-sponsored by San Diego Indivisible Blue District Chapters!
Flipping the 49th depends on communities in Solana Beach. We just need 2000 more voters to get to the polls this year for the jungle primary on June 5th, to flip the district BLUE! YOU can help make that happen!
Walk and Knock Oceanside
Saturday, May 12, 9:30am
Temple Heights Elementary
1550 Temple Heights Drive
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by Flip the 49th Neighbors in Action
Join us Saturday, May 12th to talk to voters about issues that matter to all of us and the future of our country!
Flipping the 49th depends on communities in Oceanside. We just need 2000 more voters to get to the polls this year for the jungle primary on June 5th, to flip the district BLUE! YOU can help make that happen!
I Believe That SHE Will Win! SDSU Students Canvass for Victory!
Saturday, May 12, 10am
8340 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard #202
For More Information (RSVP)
Hosted by Geneviéve Jones-Wright for DA
Hit the trail with the SDSU Students and Team Jones-Wright to canvass for Justice and support Geneviéve as our next District Attorney.
Come show your support for this campaign by speaking with voters about the upcoming election and why Geneviéve is the (W)right choice for San Diego County. If you have never canvassed before, don’t worry! We will provide training.
This event is free and kid friendly. Hope to see you there. Bring a friend (or two)! Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes.
SURJ (Showing up for Racial Justice)
White People for Racial Justice 101
Saturday, May 12, 8am
Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans – PANA
4089 Fairmont Avenue
For More Information
Join us for an interactive workshop where we will discuss the basics of white supremacy, privilege, and fragility. We will also go over practical tools for unlearning your own biases, identifying everyday racism and taking action to fight for racial equality. Breakfast will be provided.
May 14
Community Forum with DA Candidates
Monday, May 14, 6pm
City of Hope International Church
4999 Holly Drive
For More Information
Hosted by Mid-City CAN (Community Advocacy Network) and San Diego Organizing Project
Get to know district attorney candidates Summer Stephan and Geneviéve Jones-Wright.
When someone is accused of a crime, the district attorney (DA) decides whether they will go to prison or get a second chance to rebuild their life. Despite the DA’s power, most of us don’t realize the impact she can have on our lives and communities.
Will you join us to hear from our DA candidates on this critical issue?
Save the Date
March to Vote – San Diego – May 19
Call to Action if Trump Fires Mueller
March for Truth—an organization that is working with dozens of advocacy groups to organize rapid response protests has partnered with MoveOn.org, Public Citizen, Indivisible and many others to prepare emergency ‘Nobody is Above the Law‘ rallies that will happen directly following the firing of the special counsel should it occur. There are already events in 800+ cities and communities scheduled across the country—more than 300,000 people are prepared to take to the streets.
By firing Mueller or Rosenstein, the president would trigger a full-fledged constitutional crisis by asserting that he is above the law. The hours following the firing will determine whether he is proved right.
Local Rallies Starting Today at 5pm & Continuing Daily Thereafter
Bring Pots and Pans – Make Noise
Call to Action if Trump Fires Mueller
US District Court Southern District of California
330 West Broadway (Downtown)
Nobody is Above the Law Rally
Westfield North County Mall (Escondido)
Nobody is Above the Law Rally
Collier Park (Ramona)
Nobody is Above the Law Rally
Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall
Other Stuff to Do
Join the ACLU’s People Power: People Power is, at its core, a grassroots member-mobilization project. Through People Power, the ACLU will engage volunteers across the country to take action when Trump or his administration attempt to enact unconstitutional policies or trample on people’s constitutional rights. By mobilizing in defense of our civil liberties, volunteers will build local communities that affirm our American values of respect, equality, and solidarity.
Sign Up for Indivisible. All the cool kids are doing it. (Really!)
Run For Something: Learn more about running for office
San Diego Democratic Party Calendar Includes business meetings, chartered club meetings, voter registration events, election information, holidays, and other events of interest to Democrats.
Get Out the Vote is a Political Action Committee already working to educate voters about all three of these candidates as part of the Vote for Justice Campaign. They’re looking for volunteers to help with phone banking.
The ACLU’s Smart Justice DA Campaign is part of nationwide effort to bring common sense reforms to our criminal justice system. They are looking for volunteers to help with phone banking and canvassing voters.
Register to Vote https://registertovote.ca.gov/
Confirm your voter registration http://www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/rov/Eng/Voters.asp
SUBSCRIBE! IT’S FREE!
Looking for some action? The Weekly Progressive Calendar is published every Friday in this space, featuring Demonstrations, Rallies, Teach-ins, Meet Ups and other opportunities to get your activism on.
You can now get the Weekly Progressive Calendar delivered to your inbox every Friday. And it’s Free! Subscribe and get an email every time a new article in this series is posted!
I read the Daily Fishwrap(s) so you don’t have to… Send your hate mail and ideas to DougPorter@SanDiegoFreePress.Org Check us out on Facebook and Twitter.
Doug Porter
Latest posts by Doug Porter (see all)
- Last Call. Last Column. - December 14, 2018
- Which Presidential Candidate Will You Support in 2020? - December 13, 2018
- Mounting the Assault on Big Gay and Other Drivel From SDSU’s Minimum Wage Scrooge - December 12, 2018
