The labor-business battle is nothing new at San Jose City Hall, but two councilmembers accuse some business interests of going after them, partly because of the color of their skin.
In a packed conference room full of labor and community leaders Tuesday, councilmembers Peter Ortiz and Omar Torres made the accusations.
"These corporate interests chose to rely on racial stereotypes and dog whistles to accuse us and this movement of intimidation, bullying and even inciting violence," Ortiz said. "Corporate interests and the defenders of the status quo will not bully me or my community," Torres said."I’m here to serve and represent my community, not corporate interests on our San Jose City Council."Sign up for NBC Bay Area’s Housing Deconstructed newsletter.
Torres and Ortiz believe they are being targeted by business interests for pushing progressive causes, like worker and renters' rights. They say it started with unionization of workers at Premier Recycling. They say they did advocate for workers' rights there but only as private citizens and advocates. They cite an article on Opportunity Now Silicon Valley, where they are accused of using coercive and threatening tactics to force unionization, even using city letterhead. The article includes a picture of Ortiz with a bullhorn outside the recycling offices.
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