Library Clerk/BCEA Board Member Evelyn Perales
By Mark R. Madler/This photograph only by The Leader
Helen Lee and colleagues in the California Nurses Assn.. had only an hour's notice Thursday morning that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was appearing at a Burbank printing plant to push for reforms proposals.
Still, the association's organizers pulled together 50 members to protest outside LAgraphico while the governor spoke inside to a group of 200 company employees and invited guests.
"As nurses, we really believe when he's talking about being for the people he should be for the nurses, for the teachers and the firefighters and police officers who provide the type of service we depend on," Lee said.
After his address in the press room of LAgraphico, Schwarzenegger answered an emphatic "no" when asked if he was intimidated by the protesters.
Seeing the faces of the people he fights for was a good thing, he said, adding that unions were at fault for overspending.
"We love the nurses," Schwarzenegger said. "We love the teachers, the firefighters and the law enforcement people. We don't want to take anything away from them. We just want to make sure the state lives within its means."
The nurses group was one of several picketing along Vanowen Street outside LAgraphico. Joining them were members of the Burbank City Employees Association and the California School Employees Association.
Spurring the protesters on were ballot measures supported by Schwarzenegger. In June, 2007, Schwarzenegger wants to switch public employee retirement plans to a 401(k)-style program from one based on age, years worked and final salary. He also wants to base teacher salary increases on merit instead of tenure.
The governor wants a special election for voters to cast ballots on the initiatives.
Led by Bob Kaczmarek, member of the Burbank City Employees Association marched at the driveway into LAgraphico.
Changing the pension system is an attack on public employees, especially those who put their lives on the line such as firefighters and police, Kaczmarek said.
"He's not even willing to talk compromise," Kaczmarek said. "He's open to negotiation with one thing on the table. That's it."
Also important to members of the nurses association, who have been dogging the governor at his public appearances, is Schwarzenegger's attempt to scale back hospital staffing requirements and what is seen as a pro-drug company stance.
"We know where Arnold is, and he's not going to hide from us anymore," Lee said. "We are people, and we're not going to let Arnold pretend that he can narrow us down and pretend we're not the people in California."