Return in 5 days to:United Food and Commercial WorkersUnion Local 1167P.O. Box 1167Bloomington, CA 92316

Address Service Requested

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 2285

SAN BERNARDINO, CA

Official Publication of Local 1167, United Food and Commercial Workers Union November 2008

UFCW

Editor’s note: Pictures and features of the Local 1167 scholarship winners will appear in a future issue of Desert Edge.

November 4!November 4!Vote your conscience, but by all means exercise your right to VOTE!

The Union Office will be closed on Nov. 27 and 28 for Thanksgiving.

Inside this issue:Presidential candidates’ positions on health care — Page 4

Presidential candidates’ position on new jobs — Page 5Senate voting records — Page 6

Presidential candidates’ positions on the economic crisis — Page 7Official union endorsements — Page 8

Local 1167 President Bill Lathrop’s Report — Page 8

PAGE 2 DESERT EDGE NOVEMBER 2008

DESERT EDGEOfficial monthly publication of Local 1167, United

Food and Commercial Workers International Union,San Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial Counties,

California.

855 West San Bernardino Ave.Bloomington, California

(Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.)(Closed Sat., Sun. and holidays)

P.O. Box 1167, Bloomington, CA 92316

Telephone Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Business Telephone:(909) 877-5000

Toll-Free Telephone:(800) 698-UFCW

Food and Meat Division Insurance:(909) 877-1110

Drug & General Sales Div. Insurance:(909) 877-2331

Bill LathropEditor

Publisher

You are interesting!Tell us about yourself.

You are the most interesting thingabout our union! If there’s

something unusual or newsworthyabout your life, hobbies, abilities ortalents, call us at the office and tellus about it so that we may consider

doing a feature about you in theDesert Edge. Just ask for Kathleen

Franks or your Union Rep.President Bill Lathrop

BBIINNGGOO!!Everyone’s invited!

Play is open to the public!Come have fun and maybe win money!

Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30 p.m.Thursdays, 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Activities at theLocal 1167 Auditorium

855 W. San Bernardino Ave.

UFCW Local 1167 Retirees ClubMonthly Meeting

and Potluck!

WednesdayNov. 19

Just RetiredThe autumn months have brought usseveral new retirees. But first of all,apologies to Colleen Fox. Her years ofservice were incorrectly reported in thelast issue. Colleen retired in Augustafter having worked for Albertsons for19 years. We hope you’ve been enjoy-ing yourself, Colleen, and we’re sorryfor the mistake. ... Retiring inSeptember were Virginia Ackerman,Lynda Andresen-Najera, PamelaCampbell, Steve Castaneda, ShelbyDoan, Jerome Everage, DavidFenstermacher, Judith Howard, DiannaRandolph, Yolanda Remington, SandraSmasal and Terry Stolpp. VirginiaAckerman worked for Vons for 29years. Lynda Najera-Andresen workedfor Vons for 29 years. PamelaCampbell worked for Ralphs andAlpha Beta for a total of 32 years.Steve Castaneda worked in the industryfor 31 years with Vons and PioneerMarkets. Shelby Doan worked for Vonsfor 34 years. Jerome Everage workedin the industry for 34 years withAlbertsons, Lucky and Safeway. DavidFenstermacher worked for Vons andLucky for 33 years. Judith Howardworked for Thrifty Drug for 13 years.Dianna Randolph worked for Vons for16 years. Yolanda Remington workedfor Vons and Safeway for 33 years.Sandra Smasal worked for Ralphs andAlpha Beta for a total of 31 years.Terry Stolpp worked for Albertsons for32 years. Congratulations to all of ourretirees. We wish you many healthy,happy years ahead to enjoy your well-earned retirements!

Just MarriedMary Sosa, Stater Bros., marriedThomas Lozano on 5/24 in Riverside.... Vienna Diaz, Stater Bros., said “I do”to Eddie Montes on 6/21. The weddingwas in Beaumont and the happy couplehoneymooned in Cancun and the Rivi-era Maya in Mexico. Monica Foulds,Ralphs, became the bride of JuanContreras on 8/8 at a ceremony in Hun-tington Beach. The happy couple hon-eymooned in Santa Barbara. ... TinaLouise Atchley, Albertsons, wed LaNeil

Duwayne Prince on 8/15. The weddingwas at the Faith for Life Church inEhrenberg, Ariz. ... Cristina Stines, Sta-ter Bros., married Andrew Garcia on8/16 at the Storm Stadium in LakeElsinore. The newlyweds honeymoonedin Palm Springs and Las Vegas. ...Melissa Waters, Albertsons, wed StuartDedman on 9/22. The wedding was inSan Bernardino. Congratulations to allof our newlyweds!

Just BornJohn Jones III, Stater Bros., is pleasedto announce the birth of JohnAlexander Jones IV on 5/28. John IVweighed 8 lbs. 14 oz and his proudfather tells us he is “a beautiful babyboy.” ... Tiffany Martinez, StaterBros., has a new son. Tyler was bornon 6/17 and weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz.Tiffany and her husband DanielMartinez tell us they “couldn’t be hap-pier with our new bundle of joy.” ...Jessica Flores, Ralphs, proudlyannounces the birth of IsaiahChristopher Glenn on 7/3. Isaiahweighed 8 lbs. 8 oz and his happymother writes that he is “very cute withred hair.” ... Mellisa Kulick, Albertsons,welcomed Troy Frederick Smith Jr.into the world on 7/14. Troy weighed 8lbs. 9 oz. and measured 21 inches long.Mellisa says her family is thrilled bythe new addition to their family. ...Maresa Cervantes, Vons, has a newson. Dylan Jordan was born on 7/23,weighing in at 7 lbs. 1 oz. ... ShannonDolan, Rite-Aid, gave birth to LandonEdward Arzate on 7/25. Landonweighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. and measured 18inches long. ... Liz Beth Santiago, Rite-Aid, welcomed Elliese MadeleineSantiago Reyes into the world on 7/25.Elliese weighed 6 lbs. 13 oz. ... CharuNangia, Vons, has a new daughter.Anisha Siya was born on 7/31 andweighed 7 lbs. 3 oz. ... Laura Aragon,Stater Bros., gave birth to Isaac on7/31. Isaac weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz. ... AprilAlva, Albertsons, welcomed AndrewLarenz Trujillo-Alva into the world on8/4. Andrew weighed 5 lbs. 13 oz. ...Nichole Lopez, Albertsons, is pleased toannounce the birth of Jonah Joaquin on8/4. Jonah weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz and

measured 21 inches long. ... CarmenMacias, Vons, has a new daughter.Isabella was born on 8/6 and weighed8 lbs. ... Sandy and Juan Del Valle, bothof Albertsons, are pleased to announcethe birth of their daughter, MorganAlexandra, on 8/6. Morgan weighed 5lbs. 14 oz. We’re told she’s the “imageof her older sister.” ... MatthewCordatos, Food 4 Less, has a newdaughter. Athena Adara was born on8/8/08 and weighed 8 lbs. It looks like“8” will be her lucky number. ... PabloLopez, Albertsons, is pleased toannounce the birth of MyrandaDanyelle on 8/8. Myranda weighed 6lbs. 11 oz and her proud father tells us,“God blessed us with a beautifuldaughter.” ... David Truley, Stater Bros.,has a new daughter. Kelsee Rosejoined her big brother Donovan in theTruley family on 8/14. She weighed 7lbs. 1 oz. ... Thien-Van Nguyen, Vons,welcomed Gabriel Minh Vo on 8/16.Gabriel weighed 5 lbs. 3 oz. ... JoelOsborne Jr., Stater Bros., and his wifeGina are pleased to announce thearrival of their “wonderful baby boy”Cole Jamison on 8/20. Cole weighed inat 8 lbs. 11 oz. ... Sara Reel,Albertsons, gave birth to MakaylaPaige Ontiveros on 8/22. Makaylaweighed 8 lbs. 13 oz. and her happymom writes: “She was born two weeksearly, and she is my healthy baby girl!”... Heather Ritchie, Stater Bros., has anew son. Cole Thomas was born on8/22 and weighed 8 lbs. 15 oz. ... EdithLucero Flores, Stater Bros., proudlyannounces the birth of BrandonManuel on 8/24. Brandon weighed 7lbs. 4 oz. ... Brian Wan, Stater Bros., ispleased to announce the arrival ofMark Benjamin on 8/24. Markweighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. ... Martina Woll,Stater Bros., gave birth to JohnAnthony Caleb on 8/27. John weighed6 lbs. 12 oz. ... Anisia Alvarez, Food 4Less, has a new daughter. Lily Mariewas born on 8/27 and weighed 6 lbs. 9oz. ... Carmen Macias, Vons, has a newdaughter. Victoria was born on 8/31and weighed 7 lbs. ... Luz Torres, Food4 Less, has a new daughter. Alina wasborn on 9/2 and weighed 8 lbs. 2.6 oz.Her proud mother tells us: “Godblessed us with her arrival. We loveyou, baby!” ... Ashley Hertzog,Pavilions, is a new mom with thearrival of Deegan Michael on 9/6. Heweighed 9 lbs 6 oz. We’re told he’sdoing fine and is very beautiful. ...Angelena Rosales, Stater Bros., wel-comed her third child on 9/8. AndrenaNevaeh weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. ...Elizabeth Jones, Stater Bros., gavebirth to Marly Ernes on 9/12. Marlyweighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. ... Renee Hockett,Ralphs, has a new daughter. HaleyRenee was born on 9/13 and weighed 6lbs. 10 oz. ... Ernest Chapa, Vons,proudly announced the birth ofAbraham Eduardo on 9/15. Abrahamweighed 7 lbs. 12 oz and his happyfather calls him “our angel sent fromheaven.” Congratulations to all of ournew moms and dads!

What’s Happening

by Maureen McCabe

YOUR UNION

NOVEMBER 2008 DESERT EDGE PAGE 3

I n November we enter the holiday season, which brings with ita new set of stressful situations that have become an annualpart of our modern lifestyle. During this time it is wise to makesmart decisions to protect ourselves.

Here are some suggestions to help you cope with throngs of fran-tic customers in the upcoming holiday season:

• Don’t let problems at home or other outside stressors affectyou at work. Remember that the customers always come first.Part of your job is to make them feel welcome and to be ofservice to them.

• Always be careful on the job and don’t cut corners. Safetyshould always be your number one priority, especially whenyour mind might be tempted to wander elsewhere.

• Be sure to always check IDs when selling alcohol and tobacco.The state runs an increased number of sting operations duringthe holiday season. Even if there is a long line waiting at thecheckout stand, don’t forget to check the ID of anyone wholooks close to the legal age.

• Be on the lookout for quick-change artists. They look to strikeat particularly busy times. They may say they’ve given you a$20 bill when they only gave you a $10 bill. Be aware andalways call out the denomination of the bill so others aroundyou can hear it.

• Also, be on the lookout for shoplifters. If you observe someoneyou believe is engaged in shoplifting activities, notify storesecurity. Never try to apprehend a suspect yourself. Never!

• Your safety is a major concern for all of us. Whether you’redoing carry-outs, retrieving shopping carts or just walking toyour car during lunch breaks or after work, be aware of yoursurroundings.

By looking out for yourself and by being careful at work, you canhelp reduce the level of stress for yourself and for your coworkers.

I hope everyone has a safe, happy and stress-free holiday season.

By Keith Wright

Strategies forsurviving theholiday season

Union Representative’s Report

2008 Membership MeetingsDEC. 17

Meetings start at 7 p.m. in the UFCW Auditorium, Bloomington

VOTE on Nov. 4!Your economic future depends on YOU!

“I support this bill (Employee Free Choice Act) because,in order to restore a sense of shared prosperity and secu-rity, we need to help working Americans exercise theirright to organize under a fair and free process and bar-gain for their fair share of the wealth our country cre-ates. The current process for organizing a workplacedenies too many workers the ability to do so.”

— Senator Barack Obama

In June 2007, 51 senators voted to support the EmployeeFree Choice Act to restore the middle class. Unfortunately,a procedural move by a minority of anti-worker senatorsmeant that the chamber fell short of the 60 votes neededto send the bill to the President, and the bill has not yetcome to another vote.

Here’s how the two presidential candidates voted that day:

Barack Obamavoted

FOREmployee Free

Choice

John McCainvoted

AGAINSTEmployee Free

Choice

Support the freedom to choose a union.Support the Employee Free Choice Act.

In memoriamEdwina Cervantes, a general merchandise clerk employed by Stater Bros. Markets,died Sept. 23, 2008, at the age of 60. She had been a member since November 2007.

Robert Gaines, a retired meat cutter formerly employed by Shopping Mart Meats, ElRancho Markets, Moniyer’s Gourmet, and Lucky, died October 1, 2008 at the age of 72. Hehad been a continuous member since February 1964.

Patricia Lehmann, a retired general clerk formerly employed by Food 4 Less, diedSept. 24, 2008 at the age of 61. She had been a member since September 1989.

Albert Ramirez, a retired meat cutter formerly employed as an on-call meat cutter,died Aug. 31, 2008, at the age of 72. He had been a member since 1956 and a continuousmember since 1996.

Robert Warriner, a retired food clerk formerly employed by Safeway, and StaterBros. Markets, died Sept. 17, 2008, at the age of 84. He had been a continuous membersince June 1968.

Lois Wilkins, a retired insurance clerk and drug clerk formerly employed by Sages andThrifty Drug, and by UFCW Local 1167’s Insurance Department, died Sept. 11, 2008, at theage of 82. She had been a continuous member since November 1974.

Our condolences to the families of these deceased members.

OCTOBER 2008 2008 TOTALBack pay and benefits $10,439.14 $75,021.79restored to members

Members reinstated 12 203

Grievances settled 92 811

Unemployment benefits —— $472.80restored to members

IT PAYS TO BE UNION!

PAGE 4 DESERT EDGE NOVEMBER 2008

Open Enrollment time is here! Don’t delay — decide today!

Open Enrollment is the once-a-yearopportunity to select a health planthrough the UFCW Unions andFood Employers Benefit Fund.

If you enroll by Oct. 15, 2008, you’ll havemedical, dental, orthodontic, vision, prescrip-tion drug, chiropractic, mental health, a deathbenefit and other valuable benefits startingJan. 1, 2009.

For members hired on or after March 1,2004, the weekly payroll deduction for yourshare of the premium is a modest $7 foryourself, $10.50 for you and your children,or $15 for your family (you, your childrenand your spouse or registered domestic part-ner). The member must have been employedfor at least 24 months to add coverage for aspouse or domestic partner.

If members continue their current employ-ment, members are eligible for health carebenefits through the UFCW Unions andFood Employers Benefit Fund on Jan. 1,2009.

It’s easy to enroll. When you get yourOpen Enrollment package, fill out theenclosed forms and return them in the

postage-paid envelope (also enclosed) nolater than Oct. 15. You will get detailedinformation about coverage after the form isreceived. Weekly payroll deductions willstart in November 2008 and coverage willtake effect on Jan. 1, 2009.

If the enrollment request is received afterOct. 15, 2008, you must submit a check ormoney order for missed premiums.

If you do not choose to enroll now, thenext chance to sign up will be during OpenEnrollment next year for coverage in 2010.

Late enrollment is allowed only if you losehealth care coverage under another groupinsurance plan or if your family statuschanges (for example: get married or have ababy).

Please take advantage of this opportunityto provide health insurance for yourself andyour eligible dependents. If you would liketo talk to someone about enrolling in thesebenefits, contact your local union or the FundOffice at (714) 220-2297 or (562) 408-2715,ext. 426. People are waiting to answer yourquestions. Again, this is a once-a-year oppor-tunity. Don’t miss out!

If you are one of the few members of thelocal who are not yet signed up for duescheckoff: NOVEMBER DUES ARE NOW DUEAND PAYABLE. IF NOT PAID ON OR BEFOREJANUARY 1, 2009, YOU WILL AUTOMATICAL-LY SUSPEND YOURSELF.With dues checkoff, all future dues can bededucted automatically from your pay-check. If you do not have an authorizationform, call the local and one will be sent toyou immediately.Non-payment or payment of the incorrectamount will automatically suspend you—acostly and inconvenient mistake. Althoughnot required, the local as a courtesy normal-ly sends billing notices by first-class mail tothose not on dues checkoff. It is the mem-ber’s obligation to pay dues in a timelymanner. Not receiving a notice is not anexcuse for failure to pay dues on time.Avoid suspension. Authorize

dues checkoff today!

Your duesnow payable!

Sign up for duescheckoff!

NOVEMBER 2008 DESERT EDGE PAGE 5

VVeetteerraannss DDaayy

Nov. 11CORRECT ADDRESS AND

PHONE NUMBER A MUSTYou lose out if there is no correct address and telephone number on file for

you. We know the problem: people move frequently. But it only takes aphone call, a minute with the union rep or a letter to our office. It couldavoid a big problem with a hospital, medical claim or pension inquiry.

An important message from your union

PAGE 6 DESERT EDGE NOVEMBER 2008

1. Economic Stimulus—H.R. 5140When the Senate took up the House-passed eco-nomic stimulus bill, Majority Leader Harry Reidproposed adding 13 weeks of extendedUnemployment Insurance (UI) benefits in allstates for workers who have exhausted their 26weeks of state UI benefits, plus an additional 26weeks in high-unemployment states. TheRepublican minority filibustered the amendment,and Reid’s effort to invoke cloture and end thefilibuster (60 votes are required to end a fili-buster) failed Feb. 16 by 58-41 (R: 8-40; D: 48-1;I: 2-0). Y=R, N=W

2. Senate Budget Resolution—S.Con.Res 70The Senate passed a budget blueprint for fiscalyear 2009 that rejected most of President Bush’sproposed cuts in important domestic programs,including Medicaid and Medicare, education andtraining and Head Start. The Democratic planadded $8.8 billion above the president's requestfor education and training and an additional $500million for the Low Income Heating EnergyAssistance Program (LIHEAP). It also includedfunding for expansion of the State Children’sHealth Insurance Program (SCHIP). Finally, thebudget contained $35 billion for a second eco-nomic stimulus package that could includeextended unemployment benefits, a temporaryincrease in food stamp benefits and state fiscalrelief. The bill passed March 14 by 51-44 (R: 2-43; D: 47-1; I: 2-0). Y=R, N=W

3. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act/PayDiscrimination—H.R. 2831The Senate rejected the Fair Pay Restoration Act,a bill that would have restored longstanding pro-tections against pay discrimination that wereeliminated by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 2007Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber decision.Lilly Ledbetter, a Goodyear supervisor, did notlearn that she was being paid substantially lessthan her male colleagues, in violation of the CivilRights Act of 1964, until she retired after 19years on the job. The Supreme Court ruled thatLedbetter lost the right to sue 180 days after shereceived her first paycheck. Prior to this decision,other courts had ruled that each paycheck startedthe 180-day clock over because each check wasfresh evidence of discrimination. The motion toinvoke cloture and end a Republican filibuster(60 votes are required to end a filibuster) againstthe Fair Pay bill failed April 23 by 56-42 (R: 6-41; D: 48-1; I: 2-0). Y=R, N=W

4. Collective Bargaining for Public SafetyWorkers—H.R. 980The Senate voted to end a Republican filibusteragainst a bill expanding collective bargainingrights for public safety employees. The billwould provide firefighters, police officers andemergency medical personnel with the right tobargain over wages, hours and working condi-tions; a right denied them in nearly half thestates. The motion to invoke cloture and end thefilibuster (60 votes are required to end a fili-

buster) passed May 13 by 69-29. Final passage ofthe bill has been delayed due to the illness ofSen. Edward Kennedy. (R: 18-29; D: 49-0; I: 2-0). Y=R, N=W

5. Unemployment Benefits Extension—H.R. 2642Earlier in the year, Senate Republicans success-fully blocked efforts to include an extension ofunemployment benefits as part of the economicstimulus package. An amendment that would pro-vide 13 additional weeks of unemployment bene-fits for jobless workers in every state, plus anoth-er 13 weeks of additional benefits for joblessworkers in “high unemployment” states with atleast 6 percent unemployment, was approved aspart of the legislation funding the wars in Iraqand Afghanistan. The amendment passed May 22by 75-22 (R: 25-22; D: 48-0; I: 2-0). Y=R, N=W

6. Medicare Improvements—H.R. 6331Senate Republican leaders staged a filibusteragainst legislation that that would have strength-ened Medicare by updating asset levels that haveprevented many low-income seniors from obtain-ing affordable health care; added benefits for pre-ventative care and mental health services; andallowed many enrollees in private-fee-for-serviceplans to maintain access to their existing doctoror hospital. It also would have stopped pendingcuts in payments to doctors who treat Medicarepatients and would have forced as many as 60percent to stop accepting new Medicare patients.The motion to end the filibuster (60 votes arerequired to end a filibuster) failed June 26 by 58-40 (R: 9-39; D: 47-1; I: 2-0). Y=R, N=W

7. Unemployment Benefits Extension—H.R. 2642The Bush administration threatened to veto thelegislation funding the wars in Iraq andAfghanistan. Bush objected to an earlier amend-ment that would provide 13 additional weeks ofunemployment benefits for jobless workers inevery state, plus another 13 weeks of additionalbenefits for jobless workers in “high unemploy-ment” states. Bush dropped his veto threat afterSenate leaders agreed to introduce a new extend-ed benefits amendment without the additional 13weeks for workers in “high unemployment”states. The amendment passed June 26 by 92-6(R: 42-6; D: 48-0; I: 2-0). Y=R, N=W

8. Medicare Improvements—H.R. 6331The Medicare Improvements for Patients andProviders Act strengthens Medicare by updatingasset levels that have prevented many low-income seniors from obtaining affordable healthcare; added benefits for preventative care andmental health services; and allowed manyenrollees in private-fee-for-service plans to main-tain access to their existing doctor or hospital. Italso stops pending cuts in payments to doctorswho treat Medicare patients and would haveforced as many as 60 percent to stop acceptingnew Medicare patients. The bill passed July 9 by69-30 (R: 18-30; D: 49-0; I: 2-0). Y=R, N=W

Senate voting records 2008

Econ

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KEY: R=VOTED RIGHT;W=VOTED WRONG;

A=ABSENT,DID NOT VOTE;

I=NOT IN OFFICE

NOVEMBER 2008 DESERT EDGE PAGE 7

PAGE 8 DESERT EDGE NOVEMBER 2008

LOCAL 1167 ENDORSEMENTS FOR NOVEMBER ELECTION

1 - Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act— Vote YES

2 - Treatment of Farm Animals — No Recommendation

3 - Children’s Hospital Bond Act — No Recommendation

5 - Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing, Parole and

Rehabilitation — Vote YES

6 - Criminal Penalties and Laws. Public Safety Funding— Vote NO

7 - Renewable Energy Statute — Vote NO

9 - Criminal Justice System. Victims’ Rights — Vote NO

10 - Bonds. Alternative Fuel Vehicles and RenewableEnergy — Vote NO

11 - Redistricting — Vote NO

12 - Veterans Bond Act — Vote YES

BALLOT PROPOSITIONS

ASSEMBLY DISTRICTSLinda Jones 36thDon Williamson 59thNorma Torres 61stWilmer Amina Carter 62ndCarl Wood 65thGrey Frandsen 66thManuel Perez 80th

STATE SENATEArt Bravo Guerrero 37th

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTSEd Chau 42ndJoe Baca 43rdBill Hedrick 44thJulie Bornstein 45th

SAN BERNARDINOCOUNTY SUPERVISORNeil Derry 3rd District

RIVERSIDE COUNTYBOARD OF SUPERVISORSBob Buster 1st District

MAYOR, CATHEDRAL CITYPaul Marchand

MAYOR, CITY OF COACHELLAEduardo Garcia

BANNING CITY COUNCILPatrick “Cork” IrwinBarbara Hanna

INDIO CITY COUNCILMichael WilsonPat Runyon

PALM SPRINGS SCHOOL BOARDGreg Rodriguez

COLTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 5John Mitchell

COLTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3Vince Yzaguirre

FONTANA CITY COUNCILAngel Santiago

FONTANA SCHOOL BOARDJesse Sandoval

COLTON SCHOOL BOARDKent Taylor

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTYBOARD OF EDUCATIONRandall CenicerosEdward Velasquez

SAN BERNARDINO COMMUNITYCOLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEESJohn Longville

RIALTO SCHOOL BOARDCory JacksonDan MaysWalter Hawkins

PALM DESERT CITY COUNCILCarole Schaudt

CORONA CITY COUNCILLouis Davis

LAKE ELSINORE CITY COUNCILSteven Manos

BARSTOW COMMUNITY COLLEGEBOARD OF TRUSTEESBob Conaway

RIVERSIDE COUNTYSUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATIONKenn Young

RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY COLLEGEBOARD OF TRUSTEESMark TakanoMary Figueroa

RIVERSIDE CITY COUNCIL WARD 6Nancy Hart

CATHEDRAL CITY. CITY COUNCILGreg PettisBob Morford

MURRIETTA CITY COUNCILPaul Clay

RIALTO CITY CLERKBarbara McGee

President’s Report

Obama's election is

criticallyimportant

By Bill Lathrop

As this issue of the DesertEdge goes to press, the mostimportant election in our life-time is just over a week away.

Barack Obama is the only candi-date for president with a program thatwill improve the lives of working menand women in America. His election iscritically important.

Time is short. It’s the last quarter ofthe game. Anything can happen as

long as there is time on the clock. Asthe great philosopher Yogi Berra said,“It ain’t over till it’s over.” And it’snot over until the last polling placecloses on Election Day.

Now is not the time to be compla-cent or ease-up on our efforts. Instead,we must redouble our efforts.

On Nov. 4, you might drive homefrom work and hear about electionresults from the East Coast or the

Midwest. You might figure that anObama victory is a slam-dunk anddecide that you are too tired to go tothe polls.

Don’t be fooled! California’s elec-toral votes are the biggest prize of thiselection and could determine the out-come for the entire nation.

We can’t afford to make assump-tions or leave anything to chance. Wemust do everything we can to ensurethat pro-worker candidates win at alllevels of government, from City Hall tothe nation’s Capitol. Below this columnis a list of union-endorsed candidates inlocal races. We do not list them unlessthey vote favorably with working peo-ples’ issues.

The stakes in this election are toogreat for us to do anything else.

John McCain’s election would be adisaster for working people. For exam-ple, he wants to tax your health carebenefits. This would hurt you financial-ly and it would encourage youremployer to get rid of health benefitsaltogether.

That’s not all. John McCain opposesthe Employee Free Choice Act, which

would make it easier for people to joinunions. Barack Obama supports theEFCA and will sign it when it is passedduring the next session of Congress.

Our country cannot afford more ofthe disastrous economic policies of theBush Administration. These policieshave led to the greatest financial col-lapse in our country since the GreatDepression. They have increasedunemployment, caused many people tolose their homes and led to huge tax-payer-funded bailouts of Wall Streetbankers.

John McCain wants to give the rich-est Americans still more tax cuts whileleaving the rest of us high and dry.Barack Obama, in contrast, wants toreduce the tax burden for everyonewho makes less than $250,000 a year.

Barack Obama is a man who livesup to his word and will support thegoals of organized labor.

He will lead us on a new path, onethat will benefit all union members andevery middle class man, woman andchild.

Don’t let your country down. Votefor Barack Obama!