Day Labor Program Hearing On 11/21

TO SF DAY LABORER FRIENDS AND ALLIES:

Here's quick update of recent news and of upcoming
events.

1) WE FINALLY HAVE A REAL HEARING DATE BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION:
NOVEMBER 21! Thank you so much to those of you who were able to come last
week to the Planning Department meeting to voice our outrage over the
stalling of the permit process. The Day Labor Program hasn't been able to
move into its new building on Cesar Chavez St. for a year due to the
Planning Department's continued last minute requests. Please save November
21, at 1:30, City Hall, Rm 400! We must have a very strong presence that
day!

As winter approaches, it is imperative that we progress with plans to move into the new building. The trailers from which the program is currently run do not provide adequate shelter for those awaiting work, nor is the space functional for continuing our free worker training or English classes.

The city has suggested that our presence at the new location will increase traffic congestion on Cesar Chavez St. This is an absurd allegation. In fact, the Day Labor Program dispatches the vast majority of our workers directly to job sites. With the greater accessibility that the new location will provide, more laborers on the street are likely to visit and receive work through the program, thereby actually decreasing traffic, as they too are dispatched directly to jobs. In another blatant attempt to delay the move, the city has requested that the program conduct a traffic impact study which could potentially take several months to complete and cost the program approximately $7000.

In preparation for the hearing, day laborers and allies will be going
door-to-door to gather neighborhood support. Please join us on Saturday,
November 9, 1:00 pm, or on Friday, November 15, 5:30 pm, to help us gather
signatures from the supportive neighbors. On both dates, we'll meet at 3358
Cesar Chavez St. (between Mission and South VanNess).

2) LA RAZA CENTRO LEGAL IS CURRENTLY RUNNING THE DAY LABOR PROGRAM WITHOUT
CITY FUNDS. As of October 1, the Mayor's Office terminated the contract
with La Raza Centro Legal to manage the Day Labor Program. The Mayor has
not released any information regarding the role of the Immigrant Rights
Commission and hasn't confirmed whether or not a third Request for Proposals
(RFP) will be the next step. We are currently looking into a possible legal
challenge due to the arbitrariness and retaliatory nature of the process.

3) POLICE CONTINUE TO TICKET AND ILLEGALLY MOVE DAY LABORERS ON CESAR CHAVEZ
ST. The workers hold organizing meetings every Saturday and are planning
another action for early November to protest abusive police practices. If
you are interested in helping, please feel free to call me at the number
below.

Again, thank you for all your continuing support! La Lucha continua! The
struggle continues!

Renee Saucedo (415) 553-3404