Letter to the Editor:

Some would like to characterize this battle as between jobs and the environment, others would say its a David and Goliath tale between a neighborhood and a stinky giant. Others would say it’s all about the money; Pacific Steel is very profitable and the city benefits from the tax revenue. Still others would say it’s a battle between workers and residents, or property owners vs. industrial workers. The truth is Pacific Steel is in business and they will do whatever it takes to stay in business. That’s what companies do. They fight for survival.

The real story of the evening is that 200 workers showed up for the first time since this battle heated up and there is only one plausible explanation: Pacific Steel (with advice from Dion Aroner’s PR firm) told its workers ... “You had better be there...your jobs are on the line.” What else could the workers do? How else do you explain their appearance? It’s the first and probably only time any workers will appear. Pacific Steel is pushing the “neighbors vs. the workers” theme because it takes the pressure of Pacific Steel to clean their dirty business. Don’t be fooled and don’t take your eye off the ball. Pacific Steel is a long time polluter that has affected the quality of life and the health of residents in West Berkeley for over 72 years. It’s time for them to clean up and no amount of “spinning” the story is going to change that.

Andrew Galpern
2/24/06