Browsing Category : Community

San Jose Spotlight: Google in San Jose: Who signed non-disclosure agreements?


by Ramona Giwargis . FEBRUARY 18, 2019 Nearly 20 San Jose officials signed non-disclosure agreements in 2017 at the behest of Google as the tech giant explored building a massive campus in downtown San Jose. The agreements became a major sticking point for advocates who claimed the massive land deal was cloaked in secrecy and that the public deserved to know…

Bloomberg: Google Shareholders and Workers Call on Board to Fix ‘Diversity Crisis’


The tech giant’s homogeneous executive ranks are a risk to the business, a shareholder resolution claims. By Josh Eidelson January 30, 2019, 2:00 AM PST Over the past year, employees at Alphabet Inc.’s Google have protested over worker rights, a military contract, and the handling of sexual misconduct. Now, along with shareholders, they’ve written a resolution to Alphabet’s board, calling for reform in areas including…

Policy Watch: Week of 1/28


County of Santa Clara Adding $500,000 to new OLSE budget for community-based outreach & giving direction on workplan On December 4, 2018 (Item No. 22 and Item No. 31), the Board approved the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) wor kplan with an allocation of $500,000 for the Labor Standards Outreach and Education Initiative. The Board directed Administration to report…

Bloomberg: Google Urged the U.S. to Limit Protection For Activist Workers


While Google publicly supported employees who protested company policies, it quietly asked the government to narrow the right to organize over work email By Josh Eidelson, Hassan Kanu, and Mark Bergen January 24, 2019, 2:00 AM PST Google, whose employees have captured international attention in recent months through high-profile protests of workplace policies, has been quietly urging the U.S. government to narrow legal protection for…

San Jose Spotlight: Attack ads run rampant in local elections


January 9, 2019 They say politics is a blood sport. Silicon Valley’s 2018 midterm election, featuring a handful of competitive city and county legislative races, was no exception. A slew of opposition ads and smear tactics shadowed several Bay Area candidates running for public office this year — including ads bankrolled by a new committee helmed by the CEO of…

UTLA Reaches Bargaining Deal with District


After six days on strike along with parents, students and community members across Los Angeles, UTLA has reached a historic agreement that addresses major issues impacting schools, students and professions. Below are links to the full text and summary of that agreement, which the UTLA Board of Directors has endorsed for a YES vote. Click here to read the 2-page…

Policy Watch: Week of 12/3


Santa Clara County Approving workplan & budget for the new Office of Labor Standards Enforcement At its November 7, 2017 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved the creation of the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) in order to increase workplace equity and establish a fair and healthy economy for workers, businesses, and residents. OLSE’s mission is to advance labor…

Policy Watch: Week of 11/26


City of San Jose Ethics Commission to give input on proposal to hold Mayoral Elections concurrent with Presidential Elections The Rules Commission voted to recommend to City Council to adopt a resolution calling for a ballot measure asking the voters of San Jose to move San Jose mayor elections to years concurrent with national Presidential elections (currently they are held…

Policy Watch: Week of 11/19


County of Santa Clara Consider Resolution to approve purchase of Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy, CA On November 6, 2018, the Board approved the acquisition of Saint Louise Regional Hospital, currently owned by Verity Health System of California—a nonprofit public benefit corporation that has declared bankruptcy. Adhering to standard due diligence and public notification procedures for a purchase of…

Policy Watch: Week of 10/29


City of San Jose Direction on North SJ Area Development Policy; staff proposes advancing development of up to 8,000 housing units & funding transportation improvements  The North San Jose Area Development Policy was first adopted in 2005, and in 2016 the Council directed staff to analyze the possibility of amendments to the plan. These amendments focused on increased residential development,…