MINUTES

The meeting convened at 7:05 p.m. with Anne Wagley, chairperson, presiding.

ROLL CALL

Present:             Stephen Glatt, John Lavine, Steven Freedkin, Mark McDonald, Anne Wagley

Absent:              Elliot Cohen

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

None

ACTION ON MINUTES

M/S/C (Freedkin, Wagley) to approve the minutes for the regular meeting of October 1, 2001.  Ayes: Freedkin, Glatt, Lavine, Wagley; Abstain: McDonald; Absent: Cohen.

Commissioner McDonald was absent from the regular meeting of October 1, 2001.

PRESENTATION:

The Berkeley Alliance

Toni Tullys, Executive Director

The Berkeley Alliance is a nonprofit organization formed to strengthen collaboration between the City of Berkeley, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley Unified School District and the broader Berkeley community.  Through its efforts, the Alliance strives to improve the quality of life for all of Berkeley.  The Alliance connects individuals, families, organizations and institutions, synthesizes and mobilizes local resources and develops creative solutions to address critical community issues.

ACTIONS TAKEN:

Free Subsidized AC Transit Bus Passes for Students

M/S/C (Freedkin, Lavine) to endorse and urge passage of the following resolution by the Berkeley Unified School District board of directors:

WHEREAS, we believe attendance is the first step in the educational process, and know that a child not in school cannot successfully complete required work or credits toward graduation; and
 

WHEREAS, it has been shown that students from families of low- and moderate incomes who rely on public transit often do not have adequate money for fares at certain periods each month, and thus often miss school entirely because of lack of ability to pay bus fare; and

WHEREAS, the Berkeley School Board believes every child should have full and unlimited access to school, without restriction due to ability to pay transportation costs, and further believes that children from limited economic backgrounds especially benefit from a full and complete educational experience; and

WHEREAS, the Berkeley School Board believes that the ability to pay for transportation to school should not impede nor limit any child's access to a free, quality education.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED this 14th day of November, 2001, that the Berkeley School Board endorses the Metropolitan Transit Commission’s staff proposal for free subsidized AC transit bus passes for students who qualify for a free/reduced lunch within the entire AC transit service area for a three-year pilot program, and a $95 per year bus pass for all other students in the AC transit service area.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Berkeley Unified School District will contact the Metropolitan Transit Commission, Assemblyperson Dion Aroner, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, and Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia (co-sponsors of this proposal) well in advance of the expected vote on Wednesday, December 19, 2001 for the Regional Transportation Plan that includes this student-fare proposal, informing them of this District's strong support for full implementation of the three-year pilot program.  Ayes: Unanimous; Absent: Cohen.

Conscientious Objection to War

M/S/C (Freedkin, Lavine) that the City Council adopt the following resolution regarding conscientious objection to war:

WHEREAS, Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 3.68, establishes this Peace and Justice Commission as advisory to both the City Council of Berkeley and the Board of the Berkeley Unified School District; and

WHEREAS, BMC § 3.68.010 states, in part, "Peace is not a fictitious tranquil end-state, but the process of solving differences constructively, creatively, and non-violently"; and

WHEREAS, the United States armed forces engage in military recruitment methods that make use of the mythology and glamorization of warfare that permeate United States society, with the full persuasive arsenal of Madison Avenue advertising and with massive advertising budgets, and without a balanced presentation that fully reflects the realities of warfare; and

WHEREAS, prior to September 2001, young people may have assumed the deployment of United States military forces into combat was unlikely, and therefore may have enlisted in the military without deep consideration of their values and beliefs with regard to violence and warfare; and

WHEREAS, the present military engagement in Afghanistan carries with it the immediate risk that military recruits will be called upon to engage in battle; and

WHEREAS, the tradition of pacifism, with its sincere moral, ethical, religious, rational, and pragmatic arguments for rejecting militarism in all its forms, is almost entirely absent from the dominant American cultural milieu, ensuring that most young people receive an almost thoroughly one-sided presentation of the issues of war and peace; and

WHEREAS, Berkeley has a unique and honored tradition of promoting alternative social values and viewpoints including non-violence and pacifism; and

WHEREAS, Berkeley is fortunate to have nearby (in Oakland) a very active chapter of the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, which provides excellent informational and counseling services (including a GI Rights Hotline telephone service) for anyone, including people currently serving in the military, struggling with conscientious objection issues.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Berkeley adopts the following policy:

That a printed notice shall be provided to all personnel who answer the City's general information lines advising them that people who call asking about issues of conscientious objection to war may obtain further information from:

Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors (CCCO)

630 20th Street

Oakland, CA 94612-1604

(510) 465-1617 or (888) 231-2226

GI Rights Hotline: (800) 394-9544

http://www.objector.org

The Council requests the City Manager to include in the next general information communication to City staff the above information regarding CCCO, and to also mention in that communication that the CCCO is seeking volunteers to staff its GI Rights Hotline, for which training will be provided.   Ayes: Unanimous; Absent: Cohen.

M/S/C (Freedkin, Lavine) that the Board of Education for the Berkeley Unified School District adopt the following resolution regarding conscientious objection to war:

WHEREAS, Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 3.68, establishes this Peace and Justice Commission as advisory to both the City Council of Berkeley and the Board of the Berkeley Unified School District; and

WHEREAS, BMC § 3.68.010 states, in part, "Peace is not a fictitious tranquil end-state, but the process of solving differences constructively, creatively, and non-violently"; and

WHEREAS, young students in Berkeley schools are in a period of their lives when most are still formulating a mature adult understanding of the moral, ethical, and other issues of violence and non-violence, of war and peace; and

WHEREAS, the United States armed forces engage in military recruitment methods that make use of the mythology and glamorization of warfare that permeate U.S. society, with the full persuasive arsenal of Madison Avenue advertising and with massive advertising budgets, and without a balanced presentation that fully reflects the realities of warfare; and

WHEREAS, prior to September 2001, young people may have assumed the deployment of U.S. military forces into combat was unlikely, and therefore may have enlisted in the military without deep consideration of their values and beliefs with regard to violence and warfare; and

WHEREAS, the present military engagement in Afghanistan carries with it the immediate risk that military recruits will be called upon to engage in battle; and

WHEREAS, the proud tradition of pacifism, with its moral, ethical and other arguments for rejecting militarism in all its forms, are almost entirely lacking from the dominant American cultural milieu, ensuring that most young people receive an almost thoroughly one-sided presentation of the issues of war and peace; and

WHEREAS, Berkeley has a unique and honored tradition of promoting alternative social values and viewpoints including non-violence and pacifism; and

WHEREAS, Berkeley is fortunate to have nearby (in Oakland) a very active chapter of the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, which provides excellent informational and counseling services (including a GI Rights Hotline telephone service) for anyone, including people currently serving in the military, struggling with conscientious objection issues.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of the Berkeley Unified School District adopt the following policy:

That a printed notice shall be provided to all Berkeley Unified School District high-school teachers and guidance counselors advising them that students who ask about issues of conscientious objection to war may obtain further information from the school guidance counselors and may also be referred directly to:

Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors

630 20th Street

Oakland, CA 94612-1604

(510) 465-1617 or (888) 231-2226

GI Rights Hotline: (800) 394-9544

http://www.objector.org
 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a supply of the following literature shall be obtained from the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, and when such materials are received, be provided to the high-school guidance counselors:

• Questions and Answers About Draft Registration

• The Military's Not Just a Job ... It's Eight Years of Your Life -- Check Out the Facts About Military Life Before You Sign

• Financing College Without Joining the Military

Ayes: Unanimous; Absent: Cohen.

Boycott of Charles Krug Winery

Commission on Labor

At their special meeting on October 24, 2001, the Commission on Labor reviewed the proposed resolution to join in the boycott of Charles Krug Winery and support the locked out workers.  The Commission on Labor unanimously approved its support of the proposed resolution.

M/S/C (Freedkin, Lavine) that the City Council adopt the following resolution regarding the boycott of wines produced by the Charles Krug Winery:

WHEREAS, Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 3.68, establishes the Peace and Justice Commission as advisory to both the City Council of Berkeley and the Board of the Berkeley Unified School District; and

WHEREAS, BMC § 3.68.010.E states, "Peace is inseparable from justice"; and

WHEREAS, BMC § 3.68.030 states, "For the purpose of this chapter, "peace and social justice" shall refer to the goal of creating a world community in which the relations between people are based on equality, respect for human rights, and the abhorrence of exploitation and all forms of oppression (Ordinance 5705-N.S. § 3, 1986)"; and

WHEREAS, the City of Berkeley and its residents have long demonstrated a strong concern for justice for workers, including organized labor; and

WHEREAS, the Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California, owned by Peter Mondavi, Sr., Peter Mondavi, Jr. and Marc Mondavi, has the last remaining unionized wine-production workforce in Napa Valley, belonging to Local 186D of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, AFL-CIO; and

WHEREAS, on July 3, 2001, management at the Charles Krug Winery locked out the 43 members of Local 186D during contract negotiations, and those workers remain locked out, without work or pay, to this date; and

WHEREAS, management of the Charles Krug Winery has proposed to reduce the pay rates of many workers, some of whom have been at the winery for decades, while increasing the pay rates for a few, a well-known tactic for attempting to divide the membership of a union -- this at a time when the winery posts a 45-percent increase in sales; and

WHEREAS, management of the Charles Krug Winery has proposed or imposed other cuts, such as medical benefit cutbacks; and

WHEREAS, the leadership of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union has called upon management at Charles Krug Winery to end the lock-out and bargain in good faith; and

WHEREAS, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union has called for a boycott of Charles Krug and Mondavi wines, which are bottled under the labels Charles Krug, C.K. Mondavi, and CR Cellars; and

WHEREAS, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union has also called for financial support for the members of Local 186D who have been without income since July 3; and

WHEREAS, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union has also called for writing letters to the owners of Charles Krug Winery in support of the workers.
 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Berkeley hereby joins in the United Food and Commercial Workers Union’s boycott of wines produced by the Charles Krug Winery, and directs all City staff not to purchase Charles Krug Winery products with City funds for any purpose, until the United Food and Commercial Workers Union ends its call for a boycott.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Berkeley allocates $100 to be sent to the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 186D, 329 Downey Avenue, Modesto, CA 95354, for support of the 43 families whose incomes have been cut off by the lock-out.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution shall be sent to Peter Mondavi Jr. and Marc Mondavi, owners, Charles Krug Winery, 2800 Main Street, Saint Helena, CA 94574-9502; to the mayors and City Council members of all cities belonging to the Association of Bay Area Governments, to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors; and to Governor Gray Davis, with a cover letter urging them to join Berkeley in these actions.  Ayes: Unanimous; Absent: Cohen.

M/S/C (Freedkin, Lavine) that the Board of Education adopt the following resolution regarding the boycott of wines produced by the Charles Krug Winery:

WHEREAS, Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 3.68, establishes the Peace and Justice Commission as advisory to both the City Council of Berkeley and the Board of the Berkeley Unified School District; and

WHEREAS, BMC § 3.68.010.E states, "Peace is inseparable from justice"; and

WHEREAS, BMC § 3.68.030 states, "For the purpose of this chapter, "peace and social justice" shall refer to the goal of creating a world community in which the relations between people are based on equality, respect for human rights, and the abhorrence of exploitation and all forms of oppression (Ordinance 5705-N.S. § 3, 1986)"; and

WHEREAS, the City of Berkeley and its residents have long demonstrated a strong concern for justice for workers, including organized labor; and

WHEREAS, the Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California, owned by Peter Mondavi, Sr., Peter Mondavi, Jr. and Marc Mondavi, has the last remaining unionized wine-production workforce in Napa Valley, belonging to Local 186D of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, AFL-CIO; and

WHEREAS, on July 3, 2001, management at the Charles Krug Winery locked out the 43 members of Local 186D during contract negotiations, and those workers remain locked out, without work or pay, to this date; and

WHEREAS, management of the Charles Krug Winery has proposed to reduce the pay rates of many workers, some of whom have been at the winery for decades, while increasing the pay rates for a few, a well-known tactic for attempting to divide the membership of a union -- this at a time when the winery posts a 45-percent increase in sales; and

WHEREAS, management of the Charles Krug Winery has proposed or imposed other cuts, such as medical benefit cutbacks; and

WHEREAS, the leadership of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union has called upon management at Charles Krug Winery to end the lock-out and bargain in good faith; and

WHEREAS, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union has called for a boycott of Charles Krug and Mondavi wines, which are bottled under the labels Charles Krug, C.K. Mondavi, and CR Cellars; and

WHEREAS, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union has also called for financial support for the members of Local 186D who have been without income since July 3; and

WHEREAS, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union has also called for writing letters to the owners of Charles Krug Winery in support of the workers.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of the Berkeley Unified School District hereby joins in the United Food and Commercial Workers Union’s boycott of wines produced by the Charles Krug Winery, and directs all School District staff not to purchase Charles Krug Winery products with School District funds for any purpose, until the United Food and Commercial Workers Union ends its call for a boycott.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution shall be sent to Peter Mondavi Jr. and Marc Mondavi, owners, Charles Krug Winery, 2800 Main Street, Saint Helena, CA 94574-9502; to the presidents and members of the school districts in all cities belonging to the Association of Bay Area Governments; and to the State Superintendent of Education, with a cover letter urging them to join the Berkeley Unified School District in these actions.  Ayes: Unanimous; Absent: Cohen.

Peace Rally – Berkeley High School Students

M/S/C (McDonald, Wagley) that the Peace and Justice Commission commends those students at Berkeley High School who in accordance with a long Berkeley tradition of speaking out against the injustices of war, organized a peace rally giving voice to those who oppose the bombing or innocent people in Afghanistan by the United States and British militaries. Unanimous; Absent: Cohen.

NEXT MEETING:

The next meeting will be on Monday, December 3, 2001 at 7:00 pm in the North Berkeley Senior Center.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 pm.

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