Day workers explain sides in dispute at center Day workers explain sides in dispute at center (October 22, 2004)

Editor's Note: The dispute over the dismissal of Day Worker Center Director Maria Marroquin has split the ranks of workers who had used the center operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Since Marroquin has been reinstalled, one faction of workers has returned to the center, and another, which is opposed to Marroquin, refuses to return. The following letters are from people on each side in the dispute.

Disagreement was not petty

Editor:

Regarding your editorial in the Oct. 15 issue of the Voice, I have to say that perhaps it would help if next time, before you write your editorials, you inform yourself a little better regarding the issues that you would be writing about.

First of all, John Rinaldi was never "the center's former board chair." He was the chair of the board of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Secondly, the current situation that the day worker center is going through at this time did not "start as a petty personnel issue" as you stated in your editorial.

It's not "petty" at all when the board of directors of St. Vincent de Paul turned out to be such an inept body and let Steve Pehanich act as if he was a "CEO and chairman of the board," when he is neither.

He, along with his servant Dave Gonzalez, and without consulting with anyone else, arbitrarily suspended and then fired Maria Marroquin, the director of the day worker center, accusing her, without real evidence, of mistreating some of the workers. She also was accused of taking home a few pieces of used clothes and some bread that good-hearted donors take to the center for the workers or anyone else to use.

This is the petty stuff. These are not only petty, shameful and ridiculous accusations, but unjust ones when coming from such a well-known organization as St. Vincent de Paul, which is supposed to act under principles of Catholic social justice. Absolute injustice is what was done to Maria Marroquin. Again, this is not a "petty personnel issue."

If Pehanich really cared about the workers, he would not have deprived them of the leadership and personal dedication that Maria Marroquin has been able to provide for their benefit, and when the center was reopened, he would not have turned off the phone line preventing employers from calling to hire those workers that he says he cares so much about.

Job Lopez
Evandale Avenue

Society supporters won't use center

Editor:

This letter is to inform the community about the aggravation we, the members of the day worker center at Calvary Church, have been subject to in recent months.

A month ago, a numerous group of workers presented a complaint to St. Vincent de Paul, the organization that has sponsored the workers' center for more than five years. Our goal was to notify them about the many anomalies and annoyances we were subject to by upper management, including Maria Marroquin, the site manager, and the worker's commission.

Among these anomalies were verbal mistreatment, disrespectful behavior toward some of the workers, abuse of authority, the exaggerated favoritism toward her "muchachos" (worker's commissions) and wrongful management of donations such as clothing, shoes and so forth.

After Marroquin's termination on Sept. 14 , the doors of Calvary Church, home of the workers' center for the last two years, were closed on Sept. 23. The pastor of this church arbitrarily did so as a sign of support to Marroquin.

Nevertheless, the closure of Calvary Church only hurts us, who lost many employment opportunities and the hope to bring the daily bread to our families, as our income is based on the jobs offered to us at the workers' center.

In addition, John Rinaldi and Job Lopez, respectful individuals who were once known as strong leaders and protectors of the worker's rights, have now decided to open up a new Worker's Center with the help of the pastor at Calvary Church, and other supporters of this idea.

Our position is to not attend this new center that will be funded by Marroquin's supporters, who obviously are in denial of the above-mentioned irregularities.

The opening of this new center has forced us to stand outside the surroundings that were once the home of the workers' center. In these times of need we ask the community, once again, for their unconditional support with this cause. All we want is a place where we are treated with dignity without any restraints and without any favoritism.

Jose Cruz
Acalanes Drive

Society director wants to aid workers

Editor:

In light of a great deal of misinformation circulating about the day worker situation perhaps some clarification would be in order. The Society is committed to maintaining standards of compassion, accountability and fairness for all in the program.

In 1999 we were asked to provide leadership and financial stability to the program. To this end, the Society has secured thousands of dollars in annual funding and provided staff support, governance, program infrastructure and systems, insurance, publicity and marketing to employers, plus wrap-around social services to the workers.

Despite these services, a small minority of volunteers collaborating with the landlord objected to the standards of accountability and equality that the Society insists upon in all of its services. They have resisted the stewardship and accountability of funding and resources intended to benefit the needs of all clients and demonstrated favoritism in the allocation of jobs and delivery of services. Only one board member disagreed with these standards and subsequently resigned.

In consultation with the community, funders, and others, the Society is willing to allow the community volunteers time to explore seeking a responsible fiscal agent or securing their own nonprofit incorporation but we must proceed with our ethical and legal obligation to link day workers with jobs. To this end, the Society is committed to working in partnership with all clients to ensure:

* A safe and accessible location from which to provide services to all.

* Adequate accountability and stewardship of all donated resources.

* Provide long-standing services to the community, including rental assistance, clothing and furniture, food, health screenings and more.

Our foremost concern continues to be the well-being of all day workers.

Steve Pehanich
Executive Director
Society of St. Vincent de Paul

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