Jan/FEB newsletter
In This Issue:
- SD Mayoral Candidate Forum on Feb 24th
- Apply to Students for Economic Justice
- Worker Justice Updates
- Transit Equity Updates
- 2023 Year in Review
City of San Diego Mayoral Candidate Forum
The Mayor holds a lot of power over the City of San Diego budget and is a key decision-maker when it comes to what resources and supports our communities can access.
📣 Join us on Saturday, February 24th from 6-8pm at Porter Elementary School to hear from Mayoral candidates on issues that are important to our communities! 📣
Interpretation will be available in ASL & Spanish. Let us know if you need interpretation in another language when you register.
STUDENTS FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Applications for the 2024 Students for Economic Justice (SEJ) Summer Internship is now open! The SEJ Summer Internship is a full-time, $22/hr., 6-week program that empowers the next generation of social justice leaders through leadership and professional development opportunities.
SEJ gives undergraduate college students organizing experience in a current San Diego campaign for economic justice. Interns learn an intersectional approach to economic and social justice organizing from key labor and community leaders throughout San Diego. During the program, SEJ Interns gain hands-on organizing experience by working at sites (i.e. labor unions, community organizations, or advocacy groups) actively engaged in worker or community organizing.
Deadline to apply is March 10th, 2024.
WORKER JUSTICE
New Local and State Laws for Workers
Among the many new worker protections and wage increases that are going into effect in 2024, here are two we want to highlight:
1) The minimum wage in the City of San Diego is now $16.85 per hour and $16 per hour everywhere else in the County. All workers in San Diego County now have 5 sick days.
2) CPI and our partners in the California Coalition for Worker Power (CCWP) advocated for and won SB 497 which includes more protections for workers when they stand up for their rights at work or file a complaint.
Check out our latest blog to read more about these and other new laws that will go into effect this year.
Leaked Amazon Memo
Did you know the largest Amazon facility in California is in Otay Mesa next to the border and close to the huge Amazon warehouse in Tijuana? Did you see the leaked Amazon Community Engagement Memo where they said the quiet part out loud?
Amazon should improve working conditions, pay workers enough to thrive in San Diego and develop a business model that doesn’t hurt the environment and the health of San Diegans.
Cheesecake Factory Commits Wage Theft
Last month, janitors at eight Cheesecake Factory restaurants in San Diego and Orange counties won a $1 million settlement for lost wages. This case is a major win for workers in San Diego and Orange counties and a landmark case for implementing California labor laws that hold companies accountable.
This case was spearheaded by the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund (MCTF), a statewide watchdog that works to eliminate illegal and unfair business practices in California’s janitorial industry. MCTF is also a long-time partner of CPI.
MCTF believes that about 500 workers may be eligible for payments for their unpaid work. If you worked as a janitor at a Cheesecake Factory in Brea, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Escondido, and San Diego from August 31, 2014 to August 31, 2017, please call 619-767-2039.
TRANSIT EQUITY
Youth Opportunity Passes
CPI and our partners in the San Diego Transit Equity Working Group are still fighting for all 10 Transit Lifelines. We are monitoring and defending the lifelines that we have won, including Youth Opportunity Passes (YOPs) which were approved in 2022. There are important updates to YOPs and other free or reduced fares coming in 2024.
Riders who receive a Senior, Disabled, Medicare (SDM) or Youth free or reduced transit fare from the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) or North County Transit District (NCTD), must provide proof of their age (seniors and youth) or other eligibility for a discounted fare (disabled riders and Medicare recipients) before June 30, 2024 to keep riding with free or reduced fares.
Let's Go! San Diego
CPI has endorsed a countywide ballot initiative on the November 2024 ballot to fund transportation improvements that will make life better for San Diego County residents. This measure would outline and fund: specific expansions of the transit system; increase safety and efficiency on our most burdened existing roads and highways; repair aging bridges, local roads, and rail lines; and reduce air pollution to improve our environment and our quality of life.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Take a moment to reflect on 2023 with us and all that we were able to accomplish together.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
We are currently hiring for the following positions. Click to learn more:
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As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CPI relies on the generous support of our community to operate. If you would like to support our fight for economic and social justice, please consider becoming a monthly donor or making a one-time donation. Thank you so much!
CPI San Diego
