Employment Advisory Committee Meetings
EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 2001
Members Present
Commissioner Larry Lee, Leo Chyi, Jerry Jones, Greg Marutani, Judy Starbuck Sorro, and Norma Tecson
Members Excused
Commissioner Wilfred Hsu, Guillermo Romero, Stan Warren, and Frank Tastevin
Members Absent
Oscar De La Torre, Aumijo Gomes, Toni Wilson
Staff Present
Mary Gin Starkweather, Carolyn Hom and Angel Saemai (Intern)
Guests
Ms. Tho Do, Officer, and members of Hotel and Restaurant Workers Local 2, Mr. Dale Butler, Chief Principal Negotiator, Mr. Daz Lamparas, Local 2 Field Representative at the Airport, and members of Service Employees International Union Local 790
Call to Order/Roll Call
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Larry Lee at 1:45p.m. There was no quorum present.
Approval of Agenda
No action was taken to adopt the Agenda.
Approval of Minutes
No action was taken to adopt the Minutes.
New Business
Discussion Item No. 1- Presentation on Impact of the 9/11 Tragedy on the hospitality industry in San Francisco - Ms. Tho Do and members of Hotel and Restaurant Workers Local 2 (testimonials were given by Local 2 members Tina Chen, Kevin White, and Marina Huerza.)
Hotel and Restaurant Workers Local 2 represent about 9,000 workers in San Francisco. Ms. Do gave a general overview of the effects of the sharp decline in tourism on San Francisco, stating that 3,000 of their members had their hours cut to less than 16 hours per week and are at risk of losing their medical benefits.
Ms. Do spoke about the programs Local 2 has set up to support their members such as:
1. Extension of medical benefits coverage until April 2002
2. Food distribution
3. Availability of a licensed counselor
4. Christmas Toy drive
The three members explained how their families have been affected. They related stories about severe financial hardship, impending homelessness, and deep concerns about the loss of medical coverage.
Discussion Item No. 2 - Presentation on impact of Federal legislation requiring that airport security personnel be United States citizens - Mr. Dale Butler, Mr. Daz Lamparas, and members of Service Employees International Union Local 790 (testimonials were given by Local 790 members Jordan Conanan, Teresita Villareal, Avelino Soriano, Jocelyn Davidson, Maria Aguilar, Olivia Mercado, Teresita Acosta, Ms. Viloria, Cora Conanan, Helmut Shultzen, Bien Conanan, and Erlinda Valencia.)
The great majority of baggage screeners at SFO are Filipinos who are not citizens and are in imminent danger of losing their jobs. They want the Federal government to reconsider the citizenship requirement or take action to expedite the citizenship process so that approximately 800 workers could remain employed.
The initial position of Congress was that an individual had to be a citizen for five years, and although progressive elements in California beat that back, the last stage was not won over. Should overturning the requirement be unsuccessful, attempts will be made to secure retraining money from Congress and that extended unemployment insurance be considered.
Members emphasized the fact that other airline personnel, who have much more security-sensitive jobs, such as pilots and even the armed National Guard, do not have to be citizens. There are over 47,000 members in the U.S. Military who are not citizens.
Old Business
Discussion Item No. 1 - Possible outreach workshop of Community Based Organizations on services provided.
This item will be discussed at the next meeting.
Public Comment
There was no additional public comment.
Announcements
The Commission will hold a joint hearing with the Economic Vitality and Social Policy Committee of the Board of Supervisors on January 10, 2002 in City Hall at 5:00p.m. regarding backlash violence, human rights violations, and discrimination in San Francisco in the wake of 9/11.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30p.m.
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, February 7, 2002
1:30pm to 3:30pm
25 Van Ness Avenue, 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
The January 2002 meeting has been cancelled.