Cheryl Cox: Too Little, Too Late

From Voice of San Diego:

Labor: Done with Gaylord

Union officials said today they rejected the proposed labor agreement Gaylord Entertainment sent to them last week, saying the company's last-ditch effort to resuscitate the stalled convention center and resort development plans was "dishonest."

"We take this proposal as the final sign from Gaylord that they are not interested in pursuing Chula Vista," said Tom Lemmon, the business manager for the San Diego County Building & Construction Trades Council. Lemmon said the council's board unanimously rejected the offer, which was obtained by the Union-Tribune.

Lemmon and other labor officials said they were unhappy with the developer's reluctance to ensure that local workers were hired to construct the proposed $1 billion facility.

Gaylord told port and city of Chula Vista officials in a letter last month that organized labor's demands were too costly and that they would abandon their plans for the Chula Vista bay front until circumstances change.

Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox is scheduled to hold a press conference at noon. Stay tuned for more on these new developments.


-- EVAN McLAUGHLIN

Wednesday, August 1 -- 12:09 pm

Can it be true? A compromise from Cheryl Cox?

Anti-union mayor Cheryl Cox is reported to have communicated with a labor union! Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? (I say this advisedy, since I am the same age--58-- as Cheryl Cox.)

Here's what Voice of San Diego writes about the matter:

"Tom Lemmon, business manager of the Building Trades & Construction Council, has outlined his requirements for negotiating again with Gaylord Entertainment on the Chula Vista bay-front project.

"In a July 25 letter to Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox, Lemmon spelled out three requirements:

"1. Cox must publicly support labor's insistence that Gaylord sign a legally binding agreement to hire local workers.

"2. The Associated General Contractors and Associated Builders and Contractors would have no role in negotiations.

"3. If Gaylord doesn't agree to a deal by Aug. 14, Cox should encourage the Unified Port of San Diego to reopen the bidding process for the bay-front development.

"In a response written yesterday, Cox essentially endorsed Lemmon's requests.

"She said that hiring local workers was important; that no other groups would be involved in negotiations unless invited; and that the port and city should "move forward deliberately and positively with the best partners we can find" if Gaylord pulls out."

article by ROB DAVIS
Tuesday, July 31

Cheryl Cox says, "Eeeewww" when it comes to talking to workers

Cheryl Cox

EVAN McLAUGHLIN and ROB DAVIS, in a Voice of San Diego article on July 10, 2007, wrote:

"In Chula Vista, where Gaylord's work started under the watch of former Mayor Steve Padilla, the equation changed over the last year. Padilla, who was an ally of organized labor, was seen as a broker between the unions and Gaylord before he was ousted by Cheryl Cox last November.

"Cox took heated criticism from Rep. Bob Filner, D-Chula Vista, last week after the deal fell through for not playing a more active role in maintaining that relationship. She was quick to blame the labor groups for dooming the city's development opportunities on the bay front.

""I don't think our [description of the project] ever said, 'Oh, by the way, you have to have labor unions on board,'" Cox said."

No, Cheryl, it didn't. Workers are automatons with arms and legs that come and build your billion-dollar projects, but you shouldn't be expected to actually TALK to them. As long as you pay them SOMETHING, they just automatically appear. I can certainly understand your rage and frustration. Who do these people think they are--Republicans? I know I can count on you to keep up your campaign to rally the "leaders" of Chula Vista to help you put the workers in their place. Chula Vista will surely thrive under your leadership. Sure, Gaylord would probably be a done deal if Stephen Padilla were still mayor, and in those circumstances, workers would probably be buying new cars and houses and washing machines in Chula Vista. But you and your friends didn't want that because... Wait a minute. Why were you elected, Cheryl?