Labor endorses public power
 	 		 		 		
Labor endorses public power | May 16, 2001 | SFBG News
 		 		 		 		
MUD advocates laud historic victory 
						
By Rachel Brahinsky
 						
In a historic shift in organized labor's position on public 
control of utilities, the San Francisco Labor Council voted May 
14 to endorse the creation of a "democratically controlled public 
power authority." In effect, labor has joined forces with public 
power advocates, including those that support the municipal 
utility district initiative, slated for the fall ballot.
 						
The council's vote comes as support for the MUD grows among 
organized labor, galvanized by the new Labor Task Force for 
Public Power, formed in the wake of the state's energy woes. The 
vote is a sign of the waning influence of both Pacific Gas and 
Electric and Mayor Willie Brown over the council, which has for 
many years sided against public power and in favor of the mayor's 
candidates and positions.
 						
Several sources had speculated that the mayor, who has called the 
MUD proposal "a hoax," would send representatives to fight the 
measure before the council took a vote. But labor sources told 
the Bay Guardian that Services Employees International Union, 
Local 790 – the San Francisco city employees union that 
traditionally supports Brown's positions – gave a surprise 
announcement that even this union had voted to endorse the MUD.
 						
There was opposition to the measure, and a small group of 
delegates proposed sending the resolution to the council's 
executive committee for further review. But when it came time for 
the vote, the required two-thirds majority of the approximately 
100 delegates present opted to endorse public power.
 						
Although the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 
Local 1245, PG's union, opposed public power, one source told us, 
"There was a strong feeling that this was something that affected 
everybody, and that there was very clear language to make sure 
that IBEW was protected."
 						
Walter Johnson, Labor Council executive secretary, told us that 
MUD proponents should expect the council to be a visible force 
during the public power campaign. "We're endorsing the 
principle," he said. "We want to make sure the final language 
protects union members.... We don't plan to be silent partners in 
putting this together."
 						
MUD supporters said they welcomed labor's support. "The labor 
council vote was an exciting showdown," Ross Mirkarimi, MUD 
campaign director said. "History was [made] and campaign momentum 
is on our side."
 						
Read the full text of the Labor Council's resolution 
[http://www.sfbg.com/News/pgande/labormud.html] . 
						
For more on the power crisis, go to www.sfbg.com/News/pgande 
[http://www.sfbg.com/News/pgande] . 
						
E-mail Rachel Brahinsky at rachel@sfbg.com [rachel@sfbg.com] .
 						
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