That's what we're trying to change here. I'm working real hard to change it on the labor side. Nonetheless, while labor and business can unify around issues of economic growth and job creation, they often disagree on just who will hold those jobs and, of course, whether new jobs should be unionized. The convention center expansion is a case in point. The Labor Council supports the expansion but differs with the chamber and City Hall over the question of who should be employed in construction.
Labor is firmly committed to a local hiring requirement - through local union halls.
For the most part, any union employment requirements raise the hackles of business owners and leaders in San Diego. Butkiewicz disagrees, but accepts the difference. We're going to organize them. They're going to do what they've gotta do. This basic difference in perspective underlies the cordial Chamber labor partnership - and Butkiewicz says it's up to business whether labor kisses or bites.