THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
www.cagreens.org
Friday, August 26, 2005
Contact: Sara Amir 310.270-7106 saraamir@earthlink.net
Stuart Bechman 805.405-3929 sbechman@sbcglobal.net
Susan King 415.823-5524 funking@mindspring.com
Beth Moore Haines 530.277-0610 beth@ncws.com
Six arrested at state office distributing union
newsletters; Green Party says it's more proof Schwarzenegger is
anti-worker.
SACRAMENTO (August 26, 2005) - The Green Party of
California decried the continuing attacks on working people by the
governor today after union leaders were arrested in a state building
here this week as they attempted to distribute newsletters to
employees at the state Department of Transportation.
"We stand with our brothers and sisters in
organized labor," said Tom Bolema, a teacher and member of the
California State Employees Union (CSEA), adding, "The governor
represents big business special interests, and those interests want to
see organized labor die."
"It should now be obvious to everyone that
Gov. Schwarzenegger is anti-worker, whether it's teachers, nurses or
those who work for the state. His Special Election directly attacks
workers, and now he prevents union literature from being distributed
as required by law," said Craig Peterson, a Green Part member and
member of the American Postal Workers Union.
At least six people - including the
secretary-treasurer of Local 1000 of the Service Employees
International Union (SEIU) - were jailed for trespassing and refusing
to obey a police officer after they entered a "restricted"
area of CalTrans. Even two members of the Legislature were denied
entry to the building.
"Whether it's workers in the hot fields of
the Central Valley, or office personnel in state offices, people have
the right to organize and unions have the right to communicate with
them. These arrests were wrong," said Hank Chabot, the GPCA
archivist and team member of AFSCME.
SEIU is allowed access to its members at work
sites, according to the SEIU contract. At least one lawmaker said the
arrests could spur hearings on the matter.
