"We can move thousands into action!" - Elected officials, labor leaders call for coalitions against right wing at People's Weekly World L.A. awards brunch

Special to the World

This article was reprinted from the June 20, 1996 issue of the People's Weekly World. For subscription information see below. All rights reserved - may be used with PWW credits.

The Southern California Friends of the People's Weekly World tribute to two of Los Angeles' finest labor leaders, Jerry Acosta and Gilbert Cedillo, became a dynamic rally of elected officials, activists, labor and community leaders in solidarity with labor struggles and in the fight to defeat the ultra-right in November.

The crowd - almost 200 strong - filled the inside of the restaurant and the outside patio in the largest event ever to be held at La Golondrina Restaurant in Olvera Street. The audience clapped, cheered and sometimes shouted out during the spirited tribute to Jerry Acosta, regional director of the Utility Workers Union, and Gilbert Cedillo, long-time leader of Service Employees International Union Local 660.

The fightback spirit was overflowing as even passersby stopped to watch the TV monitor in the patio as they heard the commotion inside. The Hotel and Restaurant Employees union members could be heard applauding in the kitchen as they worked.

"The People's Weekly World and all of us in this room feel very strongly about who we honor today," said Evelina Alarcon, chair of the Southern California District and national secretary of the Communist Party USA, one of the emcees of the tribute. "Jerry Acosta and Gilbert Cedillo represent the new fightback vision of the Sweeney, Trumka, Chavez-Thompson leadership in the AFL-CIO. They represent the rank and file that is pushing from the bottom for that new vision!"

Alarcon recounted many of Acosta's and Cedillo's achievements, calling them "real live working class heroes in the forefront of struggle" who "take bold initiatives on labor issues" and spearhead mass action in the fight for equality of all people.

"They have the ability to move thousands of unionists and people - Black, Brown, Red, Yellow and white, men and women, young and older - into united action," Alarcon said. "They are both champions of uniting the labor movement with the community, something which requires not only being a skilled labor leader but also being sensitive to the needs of the grassroots, sensitive to the demands of a broader coalition."

If there is any time that we value that kind of leadership, "it is now when we face the greatest electoral challenge of our time," Alarcon said pointing to the necessity "to vote out the Republican ultra-right in the Congress and in the California State legislature."

"When a fascist danger is knocking at your door, we need the labor movement up front uniting with everyone who is in harm's way of the ultra-right - and that's the majority of our people," Alarcon said. "It is in this context that this tribute to Jerry and Gil is so appropriate," Alarcon continued, "because Gilbert and Jerry are two exceptional coalition builders and mobilizers of people into action and we need them now more than ever!"

These sentiments were echoed in speeches by prominent elected officials. California Congressman Matthew Martinez drew loud cheers as he was introduced by Alarcon as "a courageous Congressman who put forward a $250 billion jobs bill - HR-1591- that would put tens of thousands of unemployed and underemployed to work at union wages while rebuilding America."

"The war against labor started with President Reagan," Martinez said. "The Republican Party tries to convince people that organized labor does nothing for them, but if anyone should think that an employer of his own good volition is going to give you the benefits that those unions have gained for you, I'll sell you some oceanfront property in Arizona!" The audience cheered.

Martinez said, The fact is, we are led today by an insidious leadership on the Republican side that wants to abolish all labor organization." Referring to the Congressional floor battles of the last year-and-a-half, he said, "They have attacked everything from Davis-Bacon" to trying to make people believe "a Team Act could replace organized labor."

Martinez said, "The Republicans want the public to believe that somehow or other a group ... handpicked by the employer would represent you as would organized labor" - but that couldn't be further from the truth!"

Martinez noted that "we have been saved a lot of catastrophe" by the veto power of the president and the Democrats mobilizing to stop the number of votes the Republicans needed to override the veto.

"The fight for the White House and the fight for the Congress will be here in the streets with people like yourselves!" Martinez said. "That is why I am honored to be here today to honor Jerry and his colleague in labor, Gilbert" - two people who are out there "fighting the fight that has to be fought."

Rep. Esteban Torres, a UAW labor leader in Congress, wearing his union jacket and standing tall, told the crowd, "This event would have made old Sam Kushner proud," referring to the late World labor reporter.

Torres said, "We come together as a family today to honor two great American labor leaders, two great Mexican American labor leaders and to fight the agenda of the GOP" and Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole who are leading an onslaught against seniors, children, working people, on the environment and on education. "We are going to send a message to them this election year that this is not going to be anymore!" thundered Torres

Torres called the Martinez Jobs Bill "the critical factor that is going to put people back on the job and provide the kind of equity that we can raise our families with and educate our children with and I am proud to be a co-sponsor."

He called for defeating the "Civil Rights Initiative" on the November ballot in California, noting that "civil rights in this case is a phony front by Governor Wilson and his cohorts." He also denounced the "un-American" attack on immigrants.

"We have a Congressman in Southern California that has had the audacity to introduce an amendment to the immigration bill today before the Senate, the Gallegly amendment, which would deny the children of America, the children of immigrant workers, the right to an education," Torres said. "This amendment must not prevail and we must send that message to Congress!"

Praising Jerry Acosta and Gilbert Cedillo, Torres said, "these two men have dared and taken risks in the course of their work." Some day the historians will write about this time, Torres said, "and they will say that in the cold light of day you stood up, you stumbled but you stood up and you met the challenge. You chose to dare. You chose to dare greatly!" Martinez and Torres presented the honorees with Congressional awards of special recognition.

Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon, on behalf of the council which adopted a resolution honoring Acosta and Cedillo, said, "Gil Cedillo and Jerry Acosta have changed the whole dynamic of what it means to be for the working class and what it means to fight for workers rights. Because of them and other labor leaders, we have seen a resurgence of strength of the least empowered in our country." Alarcon pointed out that when Acosta and the Utility Workers fight decertification or layoffs, they are fighting for public safety.

Councilman Alarcon said the city council has been "good on labor issues," including that they support the truckers strike at the L.A harbor. Alarcon recently introduced a resolution calling for the Harbor Commission to investigate serious labor law violations against the truckers - 85 percent of whom are Latino - including that some work "40 hours and receive $0 in their pay checks."

Speaking on behalf of himself and Councilman Mike Hernandez who was also present, Alarcon said, "We are here to express our gratitude to two incredible leaders who go beyond issues of labor but bring dignity to our cause." The councilmen presented the honorees with the city Ccouncil's commendation.

Presentations to the honorees were also made by Clara James, chair of the Community Affairs Commission of the Second Baptist Church, on behalf of Congresswoman Maxine Waters, one of the nation's most distinguished African American leaders; Antonio Aguilar, on behalf of State Senator Hilda Solis, California's first Latina elected to the State Senate, who, along with labor, led the drive to put a minimum wage increase initiative on the ballot; and Ray Cordova, a member of the Communications Workers of America for 35 years and field representative on behalf of State Senator Ralph Dills, a California legislative veteran who has an "impeccable pro-labor voting record."

State Assemblyman Antonio Villaraigoza sent a message and 17 elected officials and more than 50 labor leaders put their names in the program book honoring Cedillo and Acosta. Victoria Castro, a member of the L.A. City Board of Education, sent certificates recognizing the two labor leaders.

Co-emcee Carl Wood, a member of the executive board of the Utility Workers Union of America along with Acosta, joined with Evelina Alarcon in denouncing the burning of African American churches. "We will not stand still and passively accept this terror. In fascist Germany there was not a sufficient fight against the attacks on synagogues so we know what can happen if we don't stand up and protest the attacks on churches today," Wood said.

Evelina Alarcon presented Acosta and Cedillo with plaques on behalf of the People's Weekly World which recognized them for their "dedication and outstanding leadership in the fight for jobs, justice, public safety, quality health care and equality for all."

Both Acosta and Cedillo received prolonged standing ovations as they came forward to speak. Acosta thanked his tearful mother and Cedillo his parents who were also in the audience. Both congratulated the People's weekly World for the "tremendous success" of the brunch.

"Evelina, I will always remain your staunch and biggest ally," said Acosta, "against corporate greed, racism and injustice."

Cedillo pointed out that "the PWW has been a tremendous friend of county workers over the last five years that I have had the privilege of leading SEIU Local 660. Not only the constant reporting of our fight for health care but the analysis and putting into perspective the struggles of labor overall was helpful to our struggle," said Cedillo.

Acosta detailed the role of his union brothers and sisters in the Labor Coalition For Public Works Jobs and Utility Workers Union in the fight for jobs and against union busting. In an emotional moment, Acosta paused in his speech as he said, "We spend far more on corporate welfare than we do on inocentes (innocent children). Growing up on welfare, this is tough to talk about." He said the union "is not for yourself but for your children."

Cedillo, in a calm voice that brought a hush to the crowd, spoke of the need for leaders to respond to what is "morally right and just, rather than what is politically expedient." Cedillo, a man who has led thousands of health care workers in tremendous struggles to stop health care cuts, said, "I don't think you negotiate over layoffs, you fight 'til the very end; I don't think you negotiate over cuts in health care, you fight for health care for all 'til the end."