Chamber of Commerce Commits Act of ChutzpahPaul Hogarthbyline‚ May. 29‚ 2008In a flyer mailed out to business owners throughout the City, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce claimed that it "stands together" with "the little guy" -- because it represents 2,000 "family-owned businesses, start-ups and companies of every shape and size." While a group that has consistently opposed worker protections, tenant protections and sensible planning policies cannot credibly stand up for the "little guy," the Chamber's real act of chutzpah on its mailer was its graphic on the front page -- featuring (among others) a restaurant chef. Try telling the restaurant workers who earned a minimum wage increase and paid sick leave in recent years (despite fierce opposition from the Chamber of Commerce) that the Chamber speaks for "the little guy." |