Brothers and Sisters,

On October 2^nd, 2021 we attended and participated in a VAC for Avila’s Cancer Fund. From the Local Union myself and Adam Olivo participated in the Chili Cook Off. Adam placed third in the event and Andrew Avila’s Brother Ralph Avila placed first. (Ok let’s give credit where credit is due Ralphs wife Angelica was the chef behind the winning Chili) A group of Chili Military Veterans from Lemoore placed second. We had a great time at the event and it was for a Great Cause. Thank you to DC16 and all of the Local Unions who donated to the event. And a very special thank you from Annamarie Avila who wanted DC16 to know that without our support the fund would not be able to help as many people in need. Congratulations to the winners and all who participated in the event!!! And a special thanks to the volunteers.

2022 Political Action

We have many Local Races that we need to be involved with in the upcoming elections. All of them are very important to Labor’s Agenda. No greater example is the recent CITYWIDE PLA WITH THE CITY OF FRESNO. That was vetoed by Mayor Dyer and the VETO was overturned by the Labor Supporting City Council. Six of the seven city council members are Pro Labor and we need to ensure they stay in as elected city councilmembers. The most amplified race on the Fresno city council in 2022 will be for District 1 as Councilmember Esmeralda Soria is terming out. We have already endorsed Annalisa Perea and we will need to stay busy volunteering with her campaign to ensure a labor friendly person stays in that seat!

                We will also have to be very attentive to the Madera City Council Race. Mayor Santos Garcia would really like to have a citywide PLA for the City of Madera but we have to get Labor friendly people elected to the Madera City Council to make that happen. I will be doing candidate interviews over the next couple of weeks for those seats.

                The following is a list of candidates that we have already endorsed at our regular union meetings. There will be more to come. Please be ready to participate in the upcoming VAC Events for Political Action in 2022.

1. Annalisa Perea Fresno City Council #1
2. Miguel Arias Fresno City Council #3
3. Luis Chavez Fresno City Council #5
4. Nelson Esparza Fresno City Council #6

We will have many races on the Fresno Unified School Board and State Center Community Collage Board to support as well as other School Districts and City Councils. WE MUST DO OUR BEST TO PREVAIL EVERYWHERE IN ORDER TO INCREASE OUR CHANCES TO SECURE PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS. DOING SO CREATES MORE WORK HOUYRS FOR YOU!