SANDAG is San Diego’s transportation and regional housing authority. Its board members govern transportation planning and have some control over what gets federal funding in the region.
La Mesa Councilman and SANDAG board member Jack Shew created a 2-page labor resolution, which passed, and only included union apprenticeships, leaving out nonunion programs.
Let it be known that in California there are around 534 sponsors of apprenticeship programs. 225 of them are unions while the remaining 309 were are not.
“Well gosh, why not add all of the workers in San Diego County?” said San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones. The mayor noted that not too long ago, the board passed an equity statement that made sure that no one was left out.
Alejandro Sotelo Solis was the person who brought forth the inclusion statement that Mayor Jones mentioned and it was seconded by Mayor Todd Gloria.
Despite that, both voted to not include the non-union apprenticeships, which are roughly 54% Latino.
“I don’t want them left out,” said Mayor Jones, who mentioned that about 40% of those in her community are Latino.
