In a significant meeting held at The Patio in Mission Hills a few days after Thanksgiving in 2018, the tumultuous relationship between labor unions and business interests in San Diego came to the forefront.
Seated at the table were notable figures from both sides of this ongoing struggle: Tom Lemmon, then the head of the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council, Brigette Browning, the president of UNITE HERE! Local 30 union representing hotel and hospitality workers, and Carol Kim, the political director for the Building Trades.
They met with Bill Evans, a prominent hotelier whose portfolio includes the Bahia Resort Hotel and The Lodge at Torrey Pines, along with Robert Gleason, the president and CEO of Evans Hotels.
The purpose of their gathering? To address the contentious redevelopment plans for the Bahia, which labor leaders opposed, asserting that the project threatened public access to Bahia Point.
Evans, however, alleged that the union’s motives were driven by a desire to coerce him into unionizing his workforce rather than genuine concerns over community access.
He noted that the conflict stemmed from perceived pressures rather than simply the merits of his employment practices. Lemmon argued that their stance was less personal and more about the union’s need to grow membership for financial stability.
The meeting encapsulated a broader narrative about the shifting political dynamics in San Diego, where labor unions have increasingly gained traction against historically dominant business interests.
Once reliant on a conservative business elite, the power structure in San Diego began to change over the last two decades, as unions mobilized and responded to a transforming electorate.
The demographic shifts drastically changed the political landscape, evolving from a Republican stronghold, where Ronald Reagan famously deemed San Diego his ‘good luck city,’ to a largely Democratic area.
One critical factor contributing to labor’s rise was the National City Park Apartments, built by the Building and Construction Trades Council in 1968 to provide affordable housing.
Investigations revealed that this complex not only offered housing but also funneled significant campaign contributions to pro-union candidates through non-profit organizations established by the council.
These actions have drawn scrutiny, leading to several legal complaints filed by Evans Hotels with the federal Department of Labor, alleging that this flow of money constitutes illegal activity.
As relations between labor and business continue to evolve, a recent city council committee action is poised to further intensify the standoff—the introduction of a $25 minimum wage ordinance for the tourism industry.
While unions are rallying behind the proposal, business groups, including the San Diego Lodging Association, chaired by Evans himself, are contemplating a potentially divisive voter referendum to counter it.
The influence of union funding on local races is complex and multi-faceted.
Labor unions have markedly strengthened their presence in San Diego since 1998, when they backed the successful Proposition MM, a $1.5 billion bond measure aimed at school repairs.
The turning point occurred in 2004, marked by a high-stakes mayoral race, where Councilmember Donna Frye emerged as a significant challenger after being supported by labor unions.
Her candidacy highlighted the burgeoning power of labor, as she nearly toppled incumbent Dick Murphy, demonstrating both unity within labor and changing voter demographics.
Over these years, labor’s influence swayed elections, culminating in significant victories and efforts to position pro-labor candidates at the council level.
The uphill battle for labor was not free of difficulties; Republican candidates also held sway, evidenced by Jerry Sanders’ successful reelection in 2008.
Even during challenges, labor’s perseverance paid off, as seen in the elections that succeeded, where candidates backed by the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council made substantial gains.
The election of Bob Filner as mayor in 2012 marked a watershed moment for labor’s political ambitions, representing the culmination of years of organizing and campaign efforts.
Despite subsequent setbacks stemming from scandals and the passage of anti-union measures, labor continued to shape the political future of the city.
The recounting of losses, such as the passage of Proposition A in 2012, which banned project labor agreements, showcased the longstanding adversities faced by labor groups.
However, documented changes demonstrated a calculated strategy, with unions adapting to engage more effectively as the city’s demographics shifted.
By the 2018 District 2 City Council election, the Building and Construction Trades Council was pivotal in Jen Campbell’s campaign against incumbent Lorie Zapf, marking a significant achievement for labor.
Campbell’s victory not only reflected changing political tides but also allowed Democrats to gain a supermajority on the council, further consolidating labor’s influence in San Diego.
Around this time, Evans Hotels launched a sweeping lawsuit asserting wrongful tactics by unions, including allegations of extortion and bribery to obstruct developments.
The lawsuit, while unveiling historical tensions in the labor movement, has been met with legal challenges.
Judges have dismissed many claims, determining that such activities fall under protected rights of expression and petition.
As of early 2023, one claim regarding an alleged illegal secondary boycott surrounding SeaWorld’s dealings with Evans Hotels remains outstanding while various parts of the lawsuit have been dismissed.
In the years following these legal proceedings, significant shifts within labor organizations in San Diego have also been noted.
Browning now leads the Labor Council, while Kim has stepped into Lemmon’s previous role at the Building Trades.
Despite setbacks, labor’s recent victories culminated last year when Mayor Todd Gloria signed the city’s first project labor agreement since the 2012 ban, reaffirming labor’s growing stature in local politics.
Amid a backdrop of challenges from business entities, labor unions have maneuvered deftly through San Diego’s political landscape, leveraging their financial backing and voter demographics to solidify their influence.
The cheers that erupted when Gloria signed the new agreements stood as a testament to this ongoing struggle—one that showcases the intertwining interests of labor and political power in San Diego.
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