Union Local Fined Over Campaign Gifts

The San Diego-based United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 135, was fined $6,500 Monday for failing to file timely reports on $41,000 in contributions made to local political candidates in 1989 and 1990.

The fine was levied by the California Fair Political Practices Commission, which charged Local 135 with filing late reports on contributions to San Diego City Council candidates John Hartley and Linda Bernhardt. The union was also cited for failing to report a $19,000 contribution to Assembly candidate Darrel Vandeveld in May, 1990.

Hartley was elected to the council, while Bernhardt was later recalled from her council seat. The FPPC said Local 135 was late in reporting $22,000 in contributions in 1989 to Hartley and Bernhardt. The contributions were made in August and September, 1989, but not reported until Oct. 6, 1989.

Darrel Vandeveld, son of Local 135’s former president, Thomas Vandeveld, was defeated in the June, 1990, Democratic primary election by incumbent Assemblyman Steve Peace in the old 80th Assembly District.

According to an FPPC statement, the union failed to properly report a $19,000 contribution made by Local 135 to Darrel Vandeveld’s unsuccessful campaign. The statement said that Darrel Vandeveld solicited the contribution, which was used to finance a mailer. FPPC rules required that the contribution be reported on May 26, 1990, 24 hours after the mailer was sent.

Local 135, which has 15,000 members, is the largest and most powerful union in San Diego County. Thomas Vandeveld, who held a firm grip on the union for more than 15 years, abruptly resigned as president June 26 last year. Thomas Vandeveld had been under fire from the membership for securing jobs in the union for his sons.

Union officials could not be reached for comment Monday.

The commission also announced a $2,000 fine against Citizens for a Strong Chula Vista and the group’s treasurer, Chris Miller. FPPC officials said the group spent $3,000 to produce a mailer on behalf of City Council candidate Leonard Moore, who was running for re-election in November, 1990.