Martel Fraser Endorses Nava for Attorney General
California Political Desk
July 15, 2009
Camarillo - Martel Fraser, President of the Tri-Counties Central Labor Council (Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo) and Political Director, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1036* personally endorses Nava for California Attorney General.
"I am supporting Pedro Nava for Attorney General because I know we can count on him to stand up for California´s hard working men and women. Nava is the only candidate who understands what it is truly like to work side by side with other working Californians," said Fraser. "Nava´s humble beginnings as box boy in a supermarket to pay his way through school makes him stand out as the only candidate who is prepared to protect workers rights to organize and have a safe and secure work place. While in Sacramento, Nava has a 100 percent 2008 COPE voting record—something the other candidates have not earned. That and his long history of supporting workers is why I ask all labor leaders and union members across California to join me in supporting Pedro Nava for California Attorney General."
"Martel Frazer has dedicated her life fighting for workers rights and I am very proud to have her support along with other California leaders saying Pedro Nava should be the next Attorney General, "said Nava.
Martel Fraser was born and raised in Ventura where her ancestors had settled in the mid l800´s. She attended local schools later graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). Her first employment in Ventura led to her awareness of Union jobs and minimum wage laws. She and several of her girlfriends were being paid less than the minimum wage, which she was determined to correct. Although she was able to negotiate a wage increase, she became aware that Union jobs paid higher wages and provided health and retirement benefits. She promptly sought Union employment and has remained a member of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1036, which she was able to join the day she turned l8.
Her early interest in State Laws and contracts led to involvement with Local Union contracts and her employment with Local 1036 shortly after graduating from UCSB in 1977. She was elected to the Executive Board and appointed to the Tri-Counties Central Labor Council under John Ireland in 1978. She has occupied numerous positions with the Local Union from Business Representative, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary- Treasurer, and serves as a Trustee on numerous Health and Welfare and Pension Trust Funds.
Assisting with community involvement led to her appointments to the Ventura County Living Wage Advisory Board, City of Ventura Planning Commission, CAUSE (Coastal Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy) Executive Board, and her most recent election as President of the Tri- Counties Central Labor Council.
She is frequently remembered as carrying the bullhorn during rallies for The Grocery Workers strike of 2003-2004. That strike led to the greatest mobilization and unity of Unions across the United States who joined together to assist in ensuring that "employer provided healthcare" remained a benefit.
She is engaged to Doug Ruygrok, a Labor Attorney, and they recently celebrated the graduation of his son, Scott, from University of the Pacific.
Nava, a former prosecutor in Fresno and Santa Barbara Counties, is campaigning for the office of California Attorney General. He encourages everyone to visit his website to learn more about joining his campaign, the issues, to sign-up for updates and to contribute at www.PedroNava.com.
Nava can also be found on line at the following:
Twitter -- http://Twitter.com/PedroNava
Facebook -- http://www.Facebook.com/profile.php?id=1552493911&ref=profile
YouTube -- http://www.YouTube.com/user/PedroNava2010
Personal Endorsement, Organization named for identification purposes only