Union 'never heard of' gaming watchdog group in California

Friday, June 3, 2011  

Many in Indian Country have heard of a gaming watchdog group called Stand Up For Calfornia! but one of the largest unions in the U.S. has caused confusion with an effort called Stand Up for California.

The Service Employees International Union and its supporters started the initiative to protest cuts in social services in the California budget. But they didn't know that a group with a similar name already existed.

"We’ve never heard of them," union spokesperson Mary Gutierrez told Capitol Weekly.

Cheryl Schmit, the director of Stand Up For Calfornia!, isn't amused. She said she's been getting hateful calls and emails since the other group popped up.

"I’m having to waste my time to explain who I am,” Schmit told the Weekly. “I’m not in the mood for lawsuits. I just wish they would change their name.”

The two groups are in contact and are trying to find out a way to avoid confusion.

Get the Story:
Stand up for who? (Capitol Weekly 6/2)