A council defeat for Blue Diamond - In 6-3 vote, a union wins support for its organizing efforts.

By Jim Downing - Sacramento Bee Staff Writer, Last Updated 1:34 am PST Wednesday, December 6, 2006

The 2-year-old labor conflict at Blue Diamond Growers escalated sharply Tuesday evening, as the Sacramento City Council passed a resolution urging the company to agree to the demands of union organizers.

"I think the council showed very clearly that we support what the workers are trying to do here," said Councilman Steve Cohn, a co-sponsor of the measure.

The nonbinding resolution, which passed 6-3, essentially asks the company not to engage in anti-union campaigning.

It also urges Blue Diamond to allow the union to solicit votes directly from workers on unionization, rather than conducting a secret ballot. Union organizers and company management say this seemingly subtle difference likely would have an impact on the outcome of a vote.

The council's action has no legal standing, since such labor disputes fall outside its jurisdiction. Still, organizers for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 17, count Tuesday's vote as a significant public-relations victory.

Federal labor law gives Blue Diamond the right to insist on a secret ballot.

After the hourlong debate and vote, about 40 yellow-shirted Blue Diamond workers and union supporters gathered in the City Hall lobby, cheering and chanting, "Sí, se puede" ("Yes, we can").

Read the entire article.

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