Oct. 28, 2009

Celebrating the builders of San Diego's new, green economy!

Until she found her construction career, Michelle Penny struggled to raise her two young daughters on low wages from a variety of jobs -- landscaper, pizza salesperson, security guard, file clerk, cashier.   Now a 4th-year apprentice electrician with IBEW Local 569, Michelle has an income that supports her family and pride in the work she has done on many San Diego buildings. And she has goals for the future.

"It feels secure to have a skill and stable career I can depend on," she said at CPI's 2009 Gala.  "My hope is to one day own a union electrical contracting business of my own!"

Ruben Garcia grew up in San Diego in a family of drug addicts and convicted felons.  In and out of prison from age 11 on small-time theft and drug charges, he married his wife Lisa while in prison.  Now 38, Ruben began a transformation when he entered an apprenticeship program six years ago with the Laborers Union Local 89.

He is now a journeyman working on the San Vicente pipeline and the owner of a modest 5-bedroom home in Spring Valley, where he and Lisa are raising their five children and planning to renew their vows in a real wedding for their 10th anniversary.  Ruben volunteers with his church's jail ministry, tells his story to recovering addicts at Reformers Anonymous and dresses up as a clown to entertain disadvantaged kids at Halloween.

Michelle and Ruben were two of the construction workers who accepted CPI's award to all San Diego construction workers at our 2009 Gala last week.  About 700 people attended the event, which also honored the MAAC Project and cross-border activist Deborah Szekely.  Photos, video highlights and the program book from the inspiring evening are posted on CPI's website.

A high point was the debut of "A Construction Story," a video produced by multimedia students at the MAAC Project Community Charter School.  Click here to watch the video, and please check back in a couple days for a campaign to buy the school a video camera.  

Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered and donated to make the event a success and support CPI's ongoing work for a green and fair economy!

Call now to support new clean-energy jobs

A key amendment to the federal Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act could create 1 million new clean-energy jobs and reduce consumers' energy bills by $300 billion.   Utility companies are fighting the amendment, which would require utilities to invest in energy-efficiency renovations for millions of buildings nationwide.  

Join CPI and Green For All in urging Sen. Barbara Boxer, who co-sponsored the bill, to include the amendment. Sen. Boxer needs to hear from us now, before the Environment and Public Works Committee takes up the bill next week.

Call Senator Boxer now. Tell her to support 1 million clean-energy jobs, not giveaways to utilities. Thank you!

Help fight further cuts in education funding

Teachers are joining with labor, faith and community advocates to march on the governor's San Diego office Thursday to demand a halt to education budget cuts.

The event, entitled Fight for California's Future!, will begin with a rally at 3 p.m. tomorrow in Balboa Park, at the corner of Park Boulevard and President's Way, and will conclude with a march to Gov. Schwarzenegger's office downtown.  For more information, call 619-640-1155.