Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg says he has "absolutely" no regrets about walking a picket line during the Raley's strike.
Steinberg told The Bee's editorial board Wednesday afternoon that he was happy to stand with striking workers at the Raley's on Freeport Boulevard in Sacramento last week because the employees had legitimate grievances.
He has been taken to task for taking sides in a labor dispute by, among others, the board chairman of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce. In a letter to The Bee, John Frisch tut-tutted, "Seeing our local officials in the picket line is particularly disappointing given Raley's long history of positive employee relations and significant philanthropic contributions."
While Steinberg made no apology for being a friend of labor and said that protecting workers is one of his core principles, he also said that he's looking out for businesses as well.
He pointed out that he helped Vision Service Plan of Rancho Cordova, which had delayed adding jobs because the state's health reform regulators had initially declined to let stand-alone vision insurers sell coverage to individuals. After the California Health Benefit Exchange relented last month, VSP said it would add 400 jobs.
Steinberg also cited his work last session on reforming workers compensation insurance and limiting unfair lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
