A look into tomorrow’s potential. 

In March I wrote a piece on our Governor’s terms and how some of his decisions resulted in changing the landscape of Workers Compensation; so I wanted to take a peek into the future and hopefully exchange the pros and cons but most importantly, your opinions on a strong and experienced woman’s long journey into the Senate.

A hopeful potential for next year, has Maria Elena Durazo, a long time labor leader, positioned to campaign for a Senate next term. Having roots within the Hispanic community, along with serious ties and history with migrant farm workers, she certainly has the pedigree in becoming an even better leader and decision maker than some politicians of the past and present. My gut feeling suggests that she can help swing the pendulum for the greater good, but unfortunately, history will have to write itself next year. 
It is said that a person’s character can be most measured by their upbringing and history. If this is true, history shows that she was raised the daughter of Mexican immigrants who spent summers in the Central Valley picking strawberries, peaches and grapes and was inspired by Cesar Chavez to fight for equal rights; Thus catapulting her focus to earn a law degree so she can selflessly defend the stance of the labor movement in Los Angeles. She continued to earn more stripes and experience as an organizer for the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union and broadened her spectrum with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union, Local 11. That same union is one that I was fortunate to have involvement with through my father working in the Hotel industry. I recall during the mid 80’s canvassing and phone banking for Maria Elena Durazo, she ultimately won and held the position of President for Local 11 from 1989 – 2006.

Her achievements and positions don’t stop there; She moved on and was appointed as the Executive Secretary-Treasurer and ultimate Leader of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. She left the position more than two years ago and became general vice president for immigration, civil rights and diversity at UNITE HERE International Union, which represents more than 265,000 hotel and hospitality workers across North America. Amidst all of that, she somehow finds time to Vice Chair the Democratic National Committee of the Democratic Party. 
While researching information for this article I sit here and stand proud and impressed by Durazo’s conviction, strength and relentless courage. I’m hoping all of these amazing attributes lay ground for positive change and help in our industry.

So her next step in expanding on her legacy arrived on April 6, 2017, Durazo announced that she intends to run for the 24th district of the California State Senate in 2018, when the incumbent, Kevin de León will be termed out. In her announcement, she stated that Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential elections was her main motivation for running for public office. 

“I think that was a big part of it,” Durazo said of Trump’s election, in an interview with The Sacramento Bee on Thursday. “We’re at another very critical time in this state, and I feel like, ‘OK, I’ve been a labor leader … since the late 70s …I know what it’s like to press elected officials’ … We have to have great courage.”

In my opinion she comes highly decorated and definitely prepared to handle a Senate term but my question is, will her good heart and intention grant passage of healthy and humane change for the Injured Workers of California? Or will the already embedded political powers dissuade her potential future efforts. I guess time will tell. 

– Laura M Wilson