Theory Of A Rate-Payers Union

The American Labor Movement was transformational for the identity of what it means to be a modern, industrialized, working human - the weekend, the 40 hour work week, hourly pay, healthcare, dignity, and democratized economic freedom are all owed to the American Labor Movement.

The power of labor unions comes from solidarity, collective bargaining, and the right to strike.

Currently, SDG&E is “regulated” by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) - where interveners and SDG&E bargain and the CPUC decides. Unfortunately, the people most affected by these negotiations are essentially not involved in them, beyond ignored public testimony.

In the same way a labor union will withhold the capital of their labor - a strike - we too can withhold our material capital by refusing to pay - a payment strike.

The first thing we need, probably the hardest to develop, is solidarity. The labor movement thrived under the realization of shared material conditions - there’s no toilet paper in the bathroom, who should pay for that? This boss sucks. There’s asbestus in the ceiling - does anyone else smell that? It’s 108 degrees and we’re dehydrated.

See the thing is, material conditions extend outside the workplace. We all drive the same roads. We all need healthcare and housing, child care, the right to work, end of life care, clean air and water - We all pay an SDG&E bill.

The Rate-Payers Union theory is this: organize like a militant labor union but for rate-payers. We will do 1 on 1’s, monthly meetings, and take action together.

Will you join us?

Organizational Structure & Leadership

We are organized by the Core, Active, Supporter, and Paper Member (CASP) system:

Core: Democratically elected by Active Members.

Active: A Supporter Member who has recruited ten new Supporter Members.

Supporter: Due’s paying rate-payer.

Paper Member: On the email list - will you join us?