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Firefighters, Nurses and Teachers Dog Arnold at LA Fundraiser

Gov. Avoids Workers, Doors Closed Instead

August 24, 2005

A crowd of firefighters, nurses and teachers rolled up the escalators with hotel workers and other Californians at the LA Convention Center on Aug. 22 to remind Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of another broken promise: His pledge not to accept contributions from special interests whose issues were before the Legislature.

The group of more than 100 Californians first sought the ear of Schwarzenegger with a rally outside the convention center in downtown Los Angeles, where the governor was collecting donations from the California Restaurant Association. The Industry lobbying arm is actively opposed to legislation, AB 48, sponsored by Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, that would raise the state’s minimum wage.

Finally, in a last attempt to engage the governor, the crowd, led by Martin Ludlow, the executive secretary treasurer of the LA County Federation, marched into the convention center. They filed onto the escalators and waited outside the conference room to engage the self-proclaimed “people’s governor.”

Instead of the governor, they met security guards and closed glass doors. The delegation led by Ludlow wanted Schwarzenegger to agree to support the minimum wage raise and pledge not to accept donations from those opposed to the active legislation.

“We tried to meet with the governor, but he showed cowardice and would not come out,” said Ludlow. “The governor told California he will not take money from special interests whose legislation was before the state. But he is now meeting with the restaurant association. He is violating his promise.”

“California is not for sale!” Ludlow said to a cheering crowd.

Cantor Steve Puzarne, who was representing CLUE.

Last year, at the urging of the Restaurant Association, Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill to raise the minimum wage for 2.9 million workers in California who earn $7 or less an hour, most of them who are primary earners for their families. They are homecare workers, nursing home workers, child care workers, farm workers, restaurant workers, recycling center workers, salespersons, cooks and many other professions.

Los Angeles County Firefighter Vicente Casas turned out to the rally with his 2 ½ -year-old daughter to support those working in the restaurant industry as well as the work force who need a raise in the minimum wage.

“These are people who work in factories, pubs, restaurants. They work two, three, even four jobs just to put food on the table for their children,” he said.

Raphael Dobrowolski, a working student who is a member of the Teamsters and the California Teachers Association, said soaring gas prices and housing costs were eating away at paychecks, making it hard for many Californians to survive.

“People can’t live off the minimum wage,” he said.

Sacramento firefighter Matt McGrew, holding a sign that read “Firefighters Are Not Liars,” said Schwarzenegger’s meeting with the Restaurant Association was the latest move on an agenda that favored corporate interests over the needs of working Californians. McGrew faulted Schwarzenegger for calling a special election that allows corporations to sponsor initiatives like Prop. 75 to silence workers’ voices. Working Californians, whether they are firefighters, nurses or teachers, must work together to stand up for the interests of everyday Californians.

“I’m here to try to protect good working families,” he said.