I met Fred Pecker in a Santa Rita jail cell. We had both spent the morning sitting in the street together with dozens of other folks – including 7 other cell mates – and 100’s of others rallying to support locked out workers. Members of Unite Here 2850.
We were all arrested by Alameda County Sheriff for blocking a bunch of golfer douche bros from their annual stupery drunkfest at Castewood country club golf course. You get to know someone in a different way after spending 14 hours in a cell with them. And I knew that Fred Pecker was genuine and authentic and lead with solidarity, kindness, and caring as core principles. Fred’s spirit will live on in these Bay Area streets like the one we blocked that day and so many others in years to follow, and the halls of labor and the lives of so many working folks who he fought side by side with. His fighting spirit lives on in me.
I’m honored to know Fred in those activities and especially so to have worked with him on the campaign for sustainable recycling. Working with Fred, the members of Local 6, and the team and coalition on that campaign is the movement we all should emulate in our struggles for justice.
Fred is a working class hero and I can hear the jazz tribute to his life resonating in my memories.
Rest in Power brother Fred!