Several dozen glaziers picketed today outside Golden Gate Glass at Folsom and 16th streets, banging cowbells and gongs, beating paint-bucket drums, and pounding their signs on the metal plates in the sidewalk.
District Council 16, which represents glaziers across northern California, has been negotiating for higher wages with the Northern California Glass Management Association, which represents glass companies, since July 1. In total, 1,600 workers, including 450 who work in San Francisco, have gone on strike and commenced picketing.
Most of the 35 picketers do not work at the Golden Gate Glass, which appeared to be closed.
Glaziers install glass and do other construction tasks for buildings like Salesforce Tower and the Chase Center.
“We deserve a livable wage, and to be able to retire with money on our checks so that we do not have to pick up a second job when we’re 65,” said Max Snellings, a journeyman glazier.
Brian Moore, the owner of Golden Gate Glass and a member of the glass management board, contests the claim that the workers are not paid a livable wage. While most can’t afford to live in the city, he said, not counting benefits, the journeymen make $56.22 an hour and can afford to buy houses outside of San Francisco. Glaziers are currently hoping for a $20 an hour raise spread over 3 years. Management has offered $10.
In San Francisco, the picketers have been joined by a bevy of political candidates in recent days. Mayoral candidates Mark Farrell and Ahsha Safaí, who received endorsements from the San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council, came through on previous pickets. Mayoral candidate Daniel Lurie and District 5 supervisor Dean Preston were there earlier today, with District 9 supervisor candidate Jackie Fielder joining later.
Chris Burnett, the recording secretary and board officer of the local union, assembled the picketers at 11:15 a.m. to hear from Lurie, Preston, and other supporters.
Rudy Gonzalez, secretary treasurer of the Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents 27 unions, introduced Preston and Lurie. “I would caution you to take everything you hear from politicians with a grain of salt. Trust them by their actions,” Gonzalez said. “Who’s not afraid to look a business leader in the eye and say, ‘You can do better?’”
Preston invigorated the crowd, telling workers that he’s sorry that they need to protest. “It’s not just that your labor is worth more, and is worth a livable wage,” he said. “It’s also how damn expensive this city is, and that you have a right to live in the projects you’re building.” His remarks drew loud cheers.
Lurie took the microphone next, but failed to work the crowd quite like Preston. “I believe workers deserve to be paid a living wage,” he said, to little reaction.
Lurie focused most of his remarks on housing. “I’m the only one in this race that’s actually built housing in San Francisco on time, under budget, with good-paying union labor,” he said.
Before long, picketers resumed their action on both sides of Folsom, with a few standing in the center lane, waving to cars and trucks passing by. Some drivers honked their horns in support.
Moore, the owner, worried that if the $20 raise is approved, companies will begin to have carpenters and “more barbaric” ironworkers install glass, causing glazing companies, already struggling in a slow construction market, to lose business.
Moore will still have business, though, because his company is small and only does residential and small commercial projects, and if there is a $20 raise, he can pay it.
Nevertheless, the picketers want their raise, emphasizing that their current pay is lower than most other trades. “We hang off the side of buildings, and we absolutely deserve way more money,” Snellings said.
This article highlights the importance of solidarity! It’s great to see political candidates showing support for the striking glass workers. Their presence likely brings more attention to the workers’ cause.
Do you know if there are any ways for readers to get involved and support the glass workers beyond attending pickets? Perhaps there’s a petition to sign or a specific organization collecting donations?