Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Local labor union protests against Apple in Reno (watch raw video)


Apple protest in Reno (raw video): Local union workers protested against Apple on Tuesday at the Summit mall for what they claim is a lack of transparency over its work in the Reno area and its hiring practices.
    A little more than 30 people protested Apple at the Sierra Summit Mall on Tuesday July 30, 2013. / Andy Barron/RGJ photo

    8:23 p.m. update (story corrects job-cost calculation in paragraph 11)

    Local union workers protested against Apple on Tuesday evening at the Summit mall for what they claim is a lack of transparency over its work in the Reno area and its hiring practices.
    The demonstration was led by Richard “Skip” Daly, business manager of Laborers’ Union Local 169.
    He said Apple and NV Energy announced this month a deal to build a solar array near Yerington, and that ratepayers are faced with an unknown impact.
    Daly said SunPower Corp., a U.S. residential contractor will construct the project.
    “We’re not saying that tax incentives in these things are not a useful tool properly applied, but when they’re done in secrecy, we don’t if this one’s a good deal,” Daly said.
    Kristin Huguet, an Apple spokeswoman, said a representative wasn’t available to comment on the protest.
    Helen Kendrick, corporate of communications for SunPower, also was unavailable to speak about the event.
    About 30 protesters wore neon orange vests, holding up signs with a rotten apple surrounded by the words, “Apple Bites” at each entrance to the Summit mall.
    Daly said Apple was granted $89 million in tax breaks to locate its server farm in Washoe County and these taxes are taken from local profits of the community.
    “I’ve lived here all of my life in this community and I paid my taxes so I can have good schools and roads, and public safety and all of the things we want,” he said. “If I stop paying my taxes, it’s not good for the community? So how is it, when Apple doesn’t have to pay taxes, or as much as they should, it’s all of the sudden good for the community.”
    Daly said Nevadans are paying high costs to create about 35 permanent jobs at $22 per hour in Washoe County, along with 200 contractor jobs from Apple that will be created.
    Daly calculated that dividing 235 into $89 million means taxpayers are paying about $378,723 to establish each position. However, a statement from Michael Yackira, president and CEO of NV Energy said that this new energy project would be beneficial for the community.
    copy from:::http://www.rgj.com

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