Labor unions voice support for waterfront project
— by Jeffrey Wisniewski — 24 January 2012 — 1 comment below »
In a remarkable reversal of the not-so-distant past,1 Bob Sewell, a Hercules resident and representative of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 159, spoke during public comment at this evening’s city council meeting to announce labor’s support for the long-delayed Hercules Bayfront project.
Sewell announced the recent agreement — an absolute milestone — between labor and AndersonPacific (the owner/developer of the private development that surrounds the planned Intermodal Transit Center public project) and strongly encouraged the City to finalize negotiations with AndersonPacific so the community — and labor — can realize the immense benefits.
This was a major endorsement for the project from an unexpected source, and should be a reminder of the significance of the development agreement currently being negotiated (the council returned to closed session on the subject following the lengthy meeting) — and keep the council focused on the ultimate goal. This project is great for the city and community, the entire bay area, and for labor. It is a win-win.
- Which led to this op-ed.↩
Finally! It will generate a lot of jobs. It’s the only viable project Hercules has left and it will have many long term benefits for years to come b