I grew up in a labor household in Pittsburgh during the era of Big Steel, and my middle class upbringing was, in part, facilitated by the stability labor and good union jobs provided our communities.
While that way of life ultimately came to an end with the end of the steel era in the 1980s, the commitment to neighbors who work for a living has remained a key component of my worldview, from nurses to hotel workers to grocery store clerks, and is a central tenet of our Neighborhoods First campaign for San Diego City Council in District 6.
You can read more about my grandfather’s work as a labor organizer as one of the founders of United Steelworkers in the 1930s, in an era of “company towns” and regular bouts of intimidation from anti-labor advocates. You can also read my recent remarks supporting Project Labor Agreements, also known as PLAs, from SANDAG’s Dec. 2021 meeting.
Over the last several years I’ve also attended or spoken at several labor actions as a candidate and a neighbor, and I’m committed to standing with those who work for a living in San Diego District 6 and beyond, most recently in support of Republic Services sanitation workers represented by Teamsters Local 542 during their December work stoppage.
June 11, 2018
Advocating for a fair contract with National Union of Health Care Workers (NUHW)
Kindred Hospital, University Heights
June 27, 2018
Janus v. AFSCME Action with AFSCME Local 3299 and California Nurses Association
UCSD Hospital, Hillcrest
October 25, 2018
Picket line with Unite Here! Local 30
Westin San Diego Gaslamp
May 6, 2019
Confronting County Supervisor Kristin Gaspar over anti-labor rhetoric
Mira Mesa Town Council
August 18, 2019
Healthcare workers vigil with National Union of Health Care Workers (NUHW)
Kaiser Hospital, Kearny Mesa
August 29, 2019
Leaflet drive with UFCW Local 135
Ralphs grocery story, Carmel Mountain
January 9, 2020
Picket line with Teamsters Local 542
Republic Services Otay Landfill, Chula Vista
January 29, 2020
Rally with Unite Here! Local 30
Omni La Costa Resort, Carlsbad
February 5, 2020
Rally with Unite Here! Local 30
Omni La Costa Resort, Carlsbad
February 27, 2020
Phonebank for Terra Lawson-Remer with SEIU Local 221
SEIU Local 221 offices, Kearny Mesa
September 7, 2020
Shame on Sheraton Labor Day Car Caravan with Unite Here! Local 30 and San Diego Labor Council
Sheraton San Diego, Harbor Island
September 6, 2021
Rally in support of essential CVS workers with UFCW Local 135 and San Diego Labor Council
CVS pharmacy, Midway/Point Loma
September 9, 2021
Rally in support of a fair contract for Encore workers with IATSE Local 122 and the San Diego Labor Council
Hotel del Coronado
September 24, 2021
Rally in support of a fair contract for Encore workers with IATSE Local 122 and the San Diego Labor Council
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
September 24, 2021
Leaflet drive with UFCW Local 135
CVS pharmacy, Palm City/Otay Mesa West
December 19, 2021
Picket line with striking sanitation workers with Teamsters Local 542
Republic Services, Kearny Mesa
December 21, 2021
Picket line with striking sanitation workers with Teamsters Local 542
Republic Services, Kearny Mesa
December 26, 2021
Rally for striking sanitation workers with Teamsters Local 542
Republic Services, Chula Vista
December 30, 2021
Picket line with striking sanitation workers with Teamsters Local 542
Republic Services, Kearny Mesa
