(From Publicola) City council member Kshama Sawant took credit for making sure that the teamsters got new restrooms as part of teamsters negotiations with the port.
Sawant said yesterday: “When this special permit for a heavy haul network came up in committee, we voted no because the Teamsters pointed out that there are significant workers rights issues that need to be addressed…the lack of access to bathrooms is one of them, and a really urgent one. I want everyone in the public to know how impactful taking your vote seriously [as an elected official] can be, because after (our) report … there w… the port commissioners …began to show a willingness for the first time in my experience to do something about the long-needed bathrooms.”
Trouble is, Sawant had nothing to do with getting the Teamsters their rest rooms. Chis Gregoire, the port commissioner who worked on the legislation with the cit, said . “We were never contacted by council member Sawant….,” she told Fizz. “The port has been working on this issue [bathrooms] for months with the mayor and city to upgrade the facilities.”
Mayor Murray was also surprised Sawant took credit. He told Fizz:
[I’m] surprised by Council member Sawant taking credit for the restroom issue at the Port. I was clear with the Port that making progress on the issue was contingent on reaching agreement. I had no idea that the council member cared about the issue, since unlike other council members, with the exception of one meeting this year she has not met with me.