Redding Mayor Accuses Unions of Boycotting Local Businesses

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

REDDING - Mayor Patrick Jones went on camera again today proclaiming that Organized Labor Unions are boycotting his business and other businesses in the City of Redding. Business Manager Chris Darker was asked by the local media this afternoon if the allegation by Jones were true. “We are not aware of a single union who is officially or unofficially advocating or giving support to boycotting a single business in Redding”, said Darker. Mayor Jones believes his business and others in the City have been targeted for boycott because he is leading the charge against City employee pensions and benefits. Redding city employees are not happy with the majority of the City Council who are working to reduce and/or remove pension and health care benefits from City employees.
UPEC Business Manager Chris Darker, RPOA President Brad LaCroix, and RFFA President Lonnie Schrieber met with members of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors just last Wednesday and assured the board that there is no boycott of Redding area businesses. “We all live, shop and have friends and neighbors who own businesses in Redding. We are committed to continued support of our local economy”, said Darker.
This is a Jones thing. It’s an election year and Jones has decided that creating this rumor is part of his campaign strategy.
To further sensationalize the story, Candidate Gary Cadd says he too knows the names of several firefighters who are involved in this caper. However, he doesn’t want to disclosed their names because “we still have to work with them after the election”, said Cadd.
Two businesses were contacted by the news media. One did not want to be identified and didn’t know who threatened them about signs and the other, ACE Hardware on Eureka Way said they did not know the identity of the person who made threats to their business.