Jackson Urges Democrats to Call Truce : Van Nuys: Auto workers and state employees hear a plea for the presidential candidates to refocus their campaigns on jobs and health care.

Bringing an audience of beleaguered auto workers and state employees to their feet, the Rev. Jesse Jackson urged Democratic presidential candidates Friday to call “a truce on the negative attacks” and refocus their campaigns on jobs and health care for workers.

“This is the time for those who would dare to become President to begin to attack the unmet needs of our country and not just attack each other,” Jackson told a cheering audience of about 100 in Van Nuys. “It’s time for a message of hope and expansion, to put America back to work.”

Jackson’s remarks came at a late-morning rally sponsored by the California State Employees Assn. at the Van Nuys State Office Building.

Greeted with chants of “Jesse! Jesse!” and a “Jesse Jackson for President” poster, Jackson spoke to the concerns of General Motors employees--who will be left without jobs after the scheduled closure of the Van Nuys GM plant in August--and state employees who face 5% pay cuts and a 10% reduction in benefits under a proposal by Gov. Pete Wilson.

At an earlier news conference organized by the United Auto Workers, which represents GM plant employees, Jackson railed against manufacturers that leave the United States to produce in other countries where labor is cheaper, leaving thousands without jobs and “destroying communities.”

“It’s simple economic strip mining,” and the Van Nuys plant closure is a classic example, he said.

General Motors has hired 71,000 laborers abroad since 1988, Jackson said, while laying off 74,000 American workers and shutting down 22 plants.

“It’s time to establish incentives to reinvest in and to rebuild America,” he said.

“Why are the Japanese strong?” he asked. “Because the Japanese reinvest in Japan.”

“Why are the Japanese strong? Because the Japanese educate their children.”

The news conference was held to announce a large rally in Van Nuys next month on the topics of jobs and health care, UAW officials said. Among those expected to attend are Jackson, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) and Cesar Chavez, president of the United Farm Workers of America.

“Rev. Jackson is right on the money,” said Richard Ruppert, shop chairman for the UAW at the Van Nuys GM plant. “If these candidates don’t talk about these issues we’ll find another candidate.”

Union officials say they still hope to persuade GM officials to keep the plant open. The auto giant has turned back many similar overtures since announcing the closure last year.

At the rally, Jackson joined state Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Los Angeles), state Sen. David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles), Los Angeles County supervisor candidate Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and others in attacking Wilson for the proposed pay and benefits cuts.

“It’s time to organize, it’s time to fight back,” he said to responses of “Amen” and “Say it Jesse.”

“Let us not forget, Dr. King’s last act on this Earth, April 4, 1968, was organizing workers,” Jackson said, referring to King’s efforts on behalf of sanitation workers in Memphis, where he was assassinated.

“We’re trying to get the governor back to the bargaining table,” CSEA spokesman Drew Mendelson said at the rally, which was dubbed “Talk Back to Pete” and featured life-size cardboard cutouts of the governor. “He won’t talk to us so the best we can do is talk to a cardboard cutout.”

Flanked by the Wilson images, Jackson told the audience that he had just attempted to call the governor on their behalf.

“I couldn’t get through,” Jackson said. “It’s reelection time. If we vote, HE won’t be able to get through.”

Jackson ended the rally, fist raised, leading the audience in his familiar “Keep hope alive” chant.

Jackson said he will remain in Los Angeles for a Rainbow Coalition Summit Conference to assess the plight of the United States and the state of the nation. Representatives from the presidential campaigns of former California Gov. Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr. and Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton will join in a discussion with Jackson, Rep. Barbara Boxer (D-Greenbrae), who is a candidate for U.S. Senate, Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy and others.