Nonunion construction workers say they'll fight to get their share of San Diego Unified's t$2.1 billion bond measure. The San Diego school board voted last week to negotiate the terms of an agreement that would give union's preference with Proposition S bond projects. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
Nonunion workers plan to stage a protest outside a union-organized fundraiser. That event helps San Diego Unified pay-off promotional expenses linked to the passage of Proposition S during the election.
Three of the five school trustees support an agreement that gives unions the lion's share of the bond money.
Eric Christen is with the Coalition For Fair Employment in Construction. He says that agreement is wrong. He says his group will spend a couple hundred thousand dollars to fight the deal, and the protest is just the beginning.
Christen:
We are being discriminated against and someone is looking to profit from it. After the vote, should it go the wrong way, I can guarantee you there will be an exponentially larger amount (of money) spent to see that it doesn't succeed, either legally or politically.
Christen says the initial amount of money will go towards a campaign media blitz, protests and rallies.
The three school trustees – Sheila Jackson, Richard Barrera and John Evans – support such an agreement because they say unions treat their workers fairly, and they are more experienced.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News
