Could We Get a Few Aircraft Carriers in the Parking Lot?
A San Diego labor union wants you to think of Saddam Hussein before you shop at a grocery market in Linda Vista owned by an Iraqi.
The union is asking for a boycott of a store owned by Victor Najor by comparing him to the Iraqi dictator.
The dispute began more than a year ago when employees at Najor’s stores in the Linda Vista and Nestor neighborhoods of San Diego voted to be represented by the United Food & Commercial Workers Union, Local 135.
But Najor and the union have yet to agree on a contract. Now the union has mailed out a flyer complete with a picture of Hussein:
“Worried about the hostages in Iraq? What about the hostage situation in your own neighborhood?”
On the flip side:
“Victor Najor, an Iraqi businessman and owner of the Victory Foods store in your neighborhood, is holding his employees hostage--to inferior pay, inferior conditions of employment and little or no job security.
“The United States Government has conducted a democratic election of the employees of Victory Foods, and they voted to be represented by a union. But negotiating a contract with Victor Najor is like negotiating with Saddam Hussein.”
There’s more:
“As a community, let’s help Victory Foods’ employees fulfill their rights as free Americans! Boycott Victory Foods.”
Najor, one of 8,000 Chaldeans (Christian Iraqis) who have settled in San Diego County in recent years, has had other problems, too. A rowdy stomped on a Saudi Arabian flag hanging in one of his stores.
Najor isn’t around to discuss the union flyer. He’s on his way home from a trip to Israel with a church group.
His partner and attorney won’t talk. Neither will the labor union.
One neighbor who received the flyer says it persuaded her to start shopping at Victory Foods:
“I think the flyer is offensive. Whatever the labor dispute, I think it’s outrageous to mention that Najor is an Iraqi and smear him with a picture of Saddam Hussein.”
And We All Have Tans
Name it and claim it.
* Bi-coastal woes.
A San Diego-based company that handles phone-in reservations for New York state campsites is catching flak for long delays and lack of information.
“You call the 800 number, get put on hold, and you get a San Diego radio station saying, ‘It’s 70 degrees outside and the surf’s up,’ ” grumbled a legislative aide in Albany.
In San Diego, officials for MISTIX have no comment.
* Actress Rue McClanahan (“The Golden Girls”) is scheduled to be part of a demonstration next week outside the Animal Control Department’s Central Shelter in San Diego. She’ll then have a press conference urging a “no” vote on Proposition C, the countywide measure that asks people if they favor using pound animals for medical research.
* How slow was Monday?
Advisory from United Press International: “There are NO known newsworthy events scheduled in San Diego County at this time. Updates will be posted as they arrive.”
* Say what?
In his campaign literature for Assembly, former San Diego City Councilman Mike Gotch says he “led (the) successful opposition” to North City West.
That may come as a surprise to 11,000 people who live in North City West, where building continues apace.
If You Look to Your Left . . .
The Republicans are coming, the Republicans are coming. Or: No mooning, please.
Those six helicopters you may see hovering over San Diego on Friday morning will not be carrying a road company from “Apocalypse Now.”
The copters will have members of the Republican site selection committee for the 1992 national convention. The Convention & Visitors Bureau arranged the tour to sell the aerial view of America’s Finest . . .
