By Shiloh Ireland

Photo,left:  Barry Jantz, Debbie Barnum, and Chula Vista Mayor Jim McCann

Sixty Chula Vista Learning Community Charter high school students took part in real-world, hands-on experience in construction and drone technology on October 25 at AGC Apprenticeship & Training in Lakeside. The event was hosted by Barry Jantz and attended by Chula Vista Mayor John McCann who took part in Career Exploration Day.

There is an ongoing national discussion taking place about the high cost of a college education and resulting student debt, as well as alternative career pathways to college. So this local community is stepping up, providing students and under-served communities the knowledge of great paying alternatives and paid training right here in our backyard, bringing young people in for hands-on career exploration.

The students participated in a series of 30-minute hands-on workshops in a state-of-the-art training facility, showcasing a variety of excellent careers available in construction and related industries. Experiences included drone technology, heavy equipment simulation, framing, plumbing, and electrical.

By Mike Allen

Image,left: Rendering of planned auto dealership project

November 4, 2023 (Santee) -- A long-vacant, rock strewn lot on Mission Gorge Road just west of Magnolia Avenue is slated to become the Santee Auto Center, following approval of the project by the City Council last week.

The 13.1 acre site at 10335 Mission Gorge Road once housed Santee Elementary School, which opened in 1891 and closed in 2003 due to declining enrollment. Santee-based Cameron Brothers Construction Co. plans to convert the site into two dealerships, one of which is Chevrolet.

The center includes two warehouse buildings of more than 33,000 square feet, an auto body shop, and car wash. It will have six entrances and 688 parking spaces, mostly for inventory and customer service.

East County News Service

October 17, 2023 (Los Angeles) -- More than 85,000 Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers reached a historic tentative agreement on Oct.13 for a new contract that will substantially raise wages, bolster patient safety and make critical investments in the healthcare workforce at hundreds of Kaiser facilities across California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. 

By Cecilie Shamanow

The city of El Cajon is holding a forum for local business owners and managers on Tuesday October 17^th at 7:30 a.m. at the El Cajon Police Station 100 Civic Center Way, El Cajon, CA 92020.

The aim is to discuss the impact the unhoused population is having on local businesses.

The forum is a collaborative effort between the City of El Cajon and the El Cajon Police Department; the meetings will be led by Police Chief Mouton and City Manager Graham Mitchell.

East County News Service

September 30, 2023 (El Cajon) – The East County Economic Development Council is excited to announce the return of its annual East County Manufacturing Expo in collaboration with the national Creators Wanted campaign. This year's theme, "Explore, Create, and Innovate - What Does A Future In Manufacturing Look Like?" promises to bring together industry leaders, educators, and aspiring creators on October 3rd, 2023.  

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Carol Kim, general manager,  San Diego Building and Constructionj Trades, thanks La Mesa for adopting a PLA

September 28, 2023 (La Mesa)—By a unanimous bipartisan 5-0 vote, the La Mesa Cit Council last night voted to become the first city in San Diego County to adopt a Project Labor Agreement with the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council and associated craft unions. The PLA would apply to public construction  projects in  La Mesa with a construction value of at least $1 million.

Councilmember Colin Parent proposed approval of the PLA agreement drafted by staff after negotiations with the unions. “We’re making sure we’ll be delivering projects on time and on budget, so taxpayers get the kind of infrastructure they deserve,” said Parent, who also thanked staff and workers who showed up to testify for “standing up for your families, for each other and for working people.”

By Miriam Raftery

September 23, 2023 (La  Mesa) –On Sept. 25, the La Mesa City Council will consider a staff recommendation to adopt a draft Project Labor Agreement with the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council and associated craft unions. The PLA would apply to public projects in  La Mesa with a construction value of at least $1 million.

PLAs are pre-hire collective bargaining agreements negotiated between construction unions and construction contractors that establish terms and conditions of employment for construction projects.

According to the U.S.Dept. of Labor’s PLA Resource Guide, PLAs are an effective tool to ensure timely completion of projects at or under budget,  provide employers with a reliable source of highly skilled workers,increase diversity and support equitable workforce development, and improve worker health and safety on the job.

Opponents of project labor agreements have argued that PLAs may increase cost by mandating union wages and restricting competition, are unfair to nonunion contractors and nonunion workers, and hinder use of employer training programs that are not union apprenticeships.

September 14, 2023 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you its 14th annual  Salute to Local Heroes dinner on Thursday,  October 5 at  Sycuan Casino Resort.

“This evening is our opportunity to come together and honor those that are dedicated to the citizens of La Mesa and our community,” says La Mesa Chamber President Mary England. “The pandemic has given us a great opportunity to see our local heroes in action. We are celebrating those that serve our community in extraordinary ways from: the La Mesa Police Department, Heartland Fire & Rescue – La Mesa, AMR Paramedics, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol. During this evening we will also install our Board of Directors.”

The event will be held from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m. in Sycuan Casino Resort’s Heritage Ballroom at5485 Casino Way,  El Cajon 92019.

Latest pro-labor actions aim to grow the economy "from the middle out and the bottom up” as part of Bidenomics

By Miriam Raftery

View President Biden's Labor Day speech in Philadephia, where he speaks to union workers about the differences between his record of helping working people and Donald Trump's record

September 3, 2023 (Washington D.C.)-- President Joe Biden promised to be the most pro-worker and pro-union President in American history, and has taken numerous steps to keep that promise.

Under his administration,  more jobs per month have been created than under any president in the past four decades, despite the pandemic. Recent polls show  support for unions at its highest level in more than half a century—68%  according to Gallup. Though inflation has been the greatest economic challenge,Inflation-adjusted income is up 3.5% since the President took office, and the largest wage gains over the last two years have gone to the lowest-paid workers, according to the White House. The unemployment rate is the lowest in 50 years, the Deptartment of Commerce reports,  and a greater share of working-age people have a job today than in over 20 years. Under Bidenomics, America is seeing a historic level of investment in manufacturing, Forbes reports, and new industries to create good-paying jobs that Americans can raise a family on and build a community around.

In advance of Labor Day, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing new actions this week to empower workers by investing in America’s clean energy workforce, establishing pathways into high-paying and union jobs, demonstrating the benefits of unions, and extending critical wage protections. 

The White House released details on these actions, including:

East County News Service

August 31, 2023  (El Cajon) -- Pacific Emblem Company, a 35-year-old custom manufacturer of patches, emblems and wristbands, is stepping up in a big way to help raise money for the fire victims on Maui.  The company’s goal is to raise $50,000  or more through its special site, www.MauiStrong.help and donate to the Hawaii Community Foundation (referred to as the Maui Strong Fund). 

100% of the money raised will be donated (after the cost of goods, employees, and shipping, which is free for the public. 

The company has ties and friends on the Hawaiian Islands and wanted to do something to help as much as possible. 

“My heart hurts for all those on Maui who lost their lives, homes, and businesses and I had to do something to raise desperately needed funds for the residents,” said Rich Soergel (aka Dr. Patch) at the helm of Pacific Emblem Company.

EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE

August 29, 2023 (Poway) -- The Poway Chamber of Commerce will host it’s annual Pre-Rodeo Mixer on Thursday, September 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Pedder CDJ&R (13811  Poway Rd.), Poway. 

By Miriam Raftery

August 15, 2023 (El Cajon) – “Prepare to witness an incredible transformation at the corner of Cuyamaca and Weld, as a project initially planned as a 140,000-square-foot Amazon Distribution Center evolves into something even more impressive,” the City of El Cajon posted today on Facebook. The City released photos of grading at the site, which is slated to hold a 386,000-square-foot industrial complex, set to become a hub for multiple companies, catering to the needs of diverse industries.

East County News Service

July 20, 2023 (Alpine) – Alpine resident and realtor Steven Sladek was recently honored with the Realtor of the Year award from the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), one of San Diego County’s largest real estate trade organizations for San Diego-area realtors.

July 5, 2023 (La Mesa) -- On Thursday, August 17, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will produce its 8^th Annual “Summer Bash” Business Expo. This special evening will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott  (141 N. Magnolia Ave. El Cajon) from 5-7:30 p.m.

“To encourage you to come out and see us again, tickets are being offered at the low price of $15 apiece and include food from many local restaurants,” says Mary England,  the Chamber’s president. “There will be raffles and business vendors will offer numerous FREE door prizes that evening. You may win free prizes/gifts to use the rest of your summer!”

East County News Service

May 27, 2023 (El Cajon) – The Biden-Harris administration has announced over $4.8 million in grants to Southern California to cleanup polluted brown field sites and provide technical assistance. That includes a $500,000 grant to the East County Economic Development Council Foundation to address contamination cleanup in the city of El Cajon.

According to the EPA site, the target area for this grant is the 1.4-square-mile El Cajon Opportunity Zone Corridor. Priority sites include a 1.1-acre former commercial and lumber operation; a 3.06-acre former ice house, lumber operation, and garage; and several sites formerly used for auto repair centers, a dry cleaner, a gas station, and a current restaurant and motel.

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) says, “Safely cleaning up and reinvesting in properties with potentially hazardous materials strengthens our local tax base, promotes job growth, and protects public health and the environment. That’s why I’m so glad East County Economic Development Council Foundation will receive a much-needed $500,000 from the EPA to invest in properties and frontline communities that have been ignored and neglected for far too long.”