In a multi-month effort, Local 853, in coordination with the SF Building Trades Council, saved sixty jobs from privatization at San Francisco’s city golf courses.
Immediately after last year’s Mayoral election, rumors started circulating about the Rec & Parks Department’s plan to privatize golf in an effort to save money at the cost of sixty jobs. When the budget hit in February, it was in print that the department fully intended to do what had been rumored up to then.
Enter the Teamsters & the Building Trades: Local 853 contacted the Building Trades, and a plan was put together to lobby members of the budget committee. Multiple meetings were set up with the members of the committee and chair Connie Chan. They backed us up 100% and then backed our position in several hearings on the matter. Local 853 and the Trades also met with the Mayor’s Chief of Staff to press our case. At the end of the budget process, Supervisor Chan, with the support of her committee, was able to craft an agreement with the Mayor that saved 60 jobs at the golf courses for Teamsters, Plumbers, Operating Engineers, Electricians, Stationary Engineers, and Laborers.
This campaign goes to show that when you execute a plan with confidence, smarts, and passion, you can fight City Hall!
Rudy Gonzalez (S-T SF Building Trades), Kevin Reavey (Local 853 Chief Steward-Golf RET) & Mike Henneberry (Local 853 Recording Secretary) spearheaded the efforts to save union jobs at golf with the direct involvement of the affected members.
