by Juliana Birnbaum Fox
Prudential Overall Supply laundry workers, on strike in protest of the working conditions at the company’s Milpitas facilities, spoke out last week regarding alleged unfair labor practices and the possible impact on county uniform service. Milpitas workers walked out on September 11 after weeks of alleged labor law violations by the company. Prudential Overall Supply contracts with Santa Clara County to provide uniforms for hundreds of county employees.
“I am concerned about the fi rm’s ability to continue to provide the contracted services to the County due to the current job action,” said Supervisor Pete McHugh.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously resolved to investigate whether the strike is causing a disruption in the county’s laundry services and if there are grounds for termination of the contract, becoming the second California government to begin an investigation into possible Prudential service disruptions.
San Francisco residents fi le suit to stop construction of power plant in Potrero
A proposed combustion turbine power plant in the Potrero neighborhood was the subject of a lawsuit fi led in federal district court on September 24th as local residents attempted to stop the city from receiving the permits necessary to allow its construction. The fi ling parties allege that the proposed project, consisting of three combustion turbine “peakers” designed to supply energy in times of excess demand, has not been properly studied by the Environmental Protection Agency and Bay Area Air Quality Management district.
The lawsuit disputes the assumption that the aging Mirant plant nearby cannot be shut down without a replacement plant that continues to disproportionately pollute the Potrero and Bayview Hunters Point neighborhoods.
“There are green alternatives to these polluting power plants,” stated Joshua Arce, Executive Director of Brightline Defense Project, the non-profi t legal aid organization that fi led suit of behalf of the complainants. “The city should promote any alternative….that is not accompanied by further contamination of the community.”
“I’ve lived all my life in Potrero, and I too want the power plant closed, but it makes no sense to me to close one dirty power plant with three dirty plants,” said Regina Hollins a plaintiff in the case who lives blocks from the proposed site. “Too many of my friends and neighbors are sick and suffer from asthma.”
City officials announce first publication of guide for released prison inmates
A press conference held last month named September “Reentry Month,” focusing attention on the importance of reducing crime and saving public resources in San Francisco through providing close supervision, accountability and support forex-offenders returning to the community after being released from prisons and jails.
Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, Public Defender Jeff Adachi, District Attorney Kamala D. Harris, and Sheriff Michael Hennessey announced the first-ever publication of Getting Out & Staying Out: A Guide to San Francisco Resources for People Leaving Jails and Prisons, a comprehensive resource guide to help recently released individuals navigate San Francisco’s public benefits, housing, health and employment service programs.
“Recidivism is a dangerous and expensive cycle,” said DA Harris. “To address it, we must resolve that while we stand tough on crime, we will also be smart on crime. For nonviolent offenders, being smart means ensuring their transition to law abiding citizens, and this guide is one tool to help in that transition.”
