Unions' split hurts FUSD candidate

Ex-FTA chief Moore counted on their support.

Published online on Thursday, Sep. 18, 2008

Two years ago, a pair of powerful unions were on the winning side of the Fresno Unified school board race.

This time they are at odds -- creating problems for a board candidate who, as a prominent union leader, built a reputation for playing hardball with the district administration.

Larry Moore, a former Fresno Teachers Association president, had been counting on broad union support in his bid to unseat Manuel Núñez, a school board member first elected in 1990.

But while the nearly 4,000-member FTA backs Moore, the Service Employees International Union -- with more than 16,000 local members -- has thrown its weight behind Núñez. Among the workers represented by SEIU are 1,600 bus drivers, warehouse workers and substitute teachers in Fresno Unified.

Other unions also are backing Núñez and appear to be satisfied with the status quo in the school district, further isolating the FTA in this year's race.

SEIU leaders say they have nothing against Moore, but they don't see any reason to get rid of Núñez.

"They are two good candidates, but Manuel has a history of supporting workers and doing what's best for kids," SEIU leader Tom Abshere said. "Our members feel that the district is heading in the right direction, and they want to continue on that path."

Moore says that's shortsighted, because he believes a longtime incumbent is less likely to ask tough questions of Superintendent Michael Hanson.

"I respect Manuel's service to the community," Moore said, "but sometimes when you're on the board too long, you tend to become a rubber stamp."

The division between the unions is a huge change from 2006, when they jointly backed four candidates: incumbents Valerie Davis and Tony Vang and newcomers Michelle Arax Asadoorian and Cal Johnson. Union workers walked precincts, telephoned voters and gave money. Combined, the two unions spent more than $195,000 on the election -- and all their candidates won.

Now those resources will be divided.

Moore would have been the favorite in the race if he had unanimous union support, said David Provost, a retired professor of political science at California State University, Fresno.

"This is a serious blow to his candidacy," Provost said.

The lack of union endorsements raises questions, Provost said, because Moore is a well-known labor leader who has been "vociferous in the union's position" of protecting workers' rights. Voters are sure to wonder why he lacks unanimous union support, Provost said.

Some say Moore's tough-guy image has caused him problems in union circles, even inside the FTA.

"Larry is not a coalition builder," said third-grade teacher David Bradley, a member of the FTA's executive board who voted against Moore's endorsement. "He's always been out for himself."

The Central Labor Council, which represents 54 organizations in Fresno, Madera, Tulare and Kings counties, will vote next week to endorse one of the candidates. Núñez said he already is counting on the council's support.

Another union -- the California School Employees Association -- also has endorsed Núñez. The CSEA represents 2,500 classroom aides, food service workers and other classified employees in Fresno Unified.

CSEA officials say members picked Núñez because FTA members under Moore's leadership have disrupted board meetings and were rude to trustees.

The union also disagrees with the FTA's decision to oppose a second incumbent, Janet Ryan. Instead, the FTA endorses parent/school volunteer Virginia Hermosillo.