A Bombing in B'game: 1974

As a history nut I could not help but dig in a bit more after reading about the bombing on Ogden Dr. back in 1974.  It resurfaced in the Planning Commission staff report about 1868-1870 Ogden Dr. that is under consideration for yet more condos.  The building is less than 100 yards from the front of Mills High School.  Here's some history:

Due to the United Farm Workers of America's (Cesar Chavez' UFW) leading role in advancing labor rights for farm workers in the United States, the organization encountered the Western  Conference of Teamsters, the original owner and tenant of the subject building, repeatedly during the 1960s and 1970s.  The first of these historic contexts involved a major grape strike and boycott of Delano-area grape growers, which took place between 1965 and 1970. In September 1965, the AWOC struck against Delano-area wine and table grape growers in protest of years of low pay and poor working conditions. Weeks later, the fledging NFWA voted to join the strike in solidarity. Initially, the strike had little effect on growers, and starting in December 1965, NFWA began organizing a boycott of products from Delano-area growers.

The Di Giorgio Company, another major grower, recruited strike breakers and required them to sign cards consenting to be represented by the Teamsters Union, thus breaching a jurisdictional agreement between the Teamsters and NFWA (now the UWF). Progress continued to be made, though. In 1967 the Perelli Minetti Company and six other wineries also signed with the UFW.

There was on-going battles between various agricultural unions and efforts at the ballot box to gain advantages

In March 1977, Teamsters President Frank Fitzsimmons announced that the International Brotherhood was giving up its claims to field workers and that, with the exception of a contract with Bud Antle, it would not seek to renew any of its remaining contracts covering farm workers in California. This development, though unexpected, reflected the reality of the Teamsters’ mounting defeats at the ballot box in 1975 and 1976. The announcement marked the end of the bitter, wasteful struggle between the two unions. Chavez looked back at the period with regret, but looked to the future with great optimism. With a membership approaching forty thousand, the UFW in 1977 was unquestionably the dominant union in California agriculture.

Beyond simply serving as the headquarters of the UFW’s chief adversary in the late 1960s and most of the 1970s, research revealed that 1868-1870 Ogden Drive has the following direct associations with the UFW’s long-term struggle against the Western Conference of Teamsters: The building at 1868-1870 Ogden Drive served as a negotiation site between the UFW and the Teamsters. The building was again the scene of negotiations, this time with Teamster leadership, in August 1973.

But all was not settled and picketing and demonstrations on Ogden continued

The building at 1868-1870 Ogden Drive was bombed on April 18, 1974. At a few minutes after 6 a.m., an explosive device attached to a support column at the rear of the building exploded. The blast, which was powerful enough to be heard four miles away, shattered most of the building’s windows, blew a crater in the floor of the building’s parking area, ripped apart metal air ducts underneath the building, and caused other damage inside and outside the building. Dozens of windows in nearby buildings were also shattered. Only one of the building’s employees—a custodian—was present at the time of the blast, and no injuries were reported. Teamster officials refused to speculate as to who may have been responsible for the blast but indicated that the only conflict involving the Teamsters was with the UFW.

Mention of the Perelli Minetti Company caught my eye as I am familiar with the wine and some of the local story from our local expert.  Here is a bit more on Mario Perelli Minetti from Gerald Weisl:

He was quite a worldly gentleman, an attorney by trade, and sold and delivered his wines directly to our shop on Broadway himself.  We would see him out walking in Hillsborough- his house may have been on Jackling Drive.  He would always apologize for having had to raise the price of his wine by maybe 25 or 50 cents a bottle.  And he marveled at how some brand new producers would ask $50-$100.

Another time I mentioned I met an Italian winemaker whose daughter is name Miriam.  Mario's late wife was Miriam and I asked him if I could trouble him for a label so I could send it to that winemaker in Abruzzo, Italy.  "Hell no I won't give you a label!" he thundered.  "I'll bring you a bottle!"  He did and I sent it to Italy...and these days Miriam is helping her Mom run the family winery and they are a leading producer.  Mom tells me that bottle is on a pedestal, proudly displayed in the family home.  We are delighted to have the the current Napa Cabernet wine in the shop.  We keep a photo of "Uncle Mario" behind the counter...still old-time styled and priced.

So now you have two more bits of local history:  the historic events that took place on Ogden Dr. and one of the movers and shakers who lived here.  Stop by Weimax to see the photo!  Here's the Teamster hall

Comments

[Jennifer Pfaff]

A very interesting story, who knew? I'm trying to figure out why I don't remember a bombing taking place here, and wonder if anyone else does. That was a pretty big deal, right?

[hollyroller@gmail.com]

It is really amazing how well the COB Elders have/had an influence in the dissemination of Crime information.
Does anyone remember in the mid 90's a COB employee @ Cabrillo had a suspect "Bomb" in his house?
The "Neighborhood" was evacuated..
After the County Bomb Team disabled the "Bomb" the COB Employee told the Bomb Squad that there may be another "Bomb" at his new home in San Mateo. The "Neighborhood" was evacuated. This time SFO was closed, 101 too. The County Bomb Squad again "disabled" this "Bomb."
There were NO Bombs. No Criminal charges.
I bet he voted for Trump.

[Paloma Ave]

Holy Roller - Up until the last sentence you appeared normal. But you just can't help yourself, can you?

[hollyroller@gmail.com]

Why?

[resident]

I ask myself that question about every comment you make. It's a mystery

[hollyroller@gmail.com]

We are not making "World Policy" here...
This Site is Fun, Informing, Behind the scenes Politics, and many other things to many other people.
To me, it is a connection to the "Mover's and Shaker's of The City of Burlingame....
(that's a joke)

I like reading and participating in the community. I might make a good point someday.

[Growling Tiger]

The Movers and Shakers know that Joe Buyden is a sad puppet. And he'll be gone in 6 months

[MBGA]

6 months? I'd say less than that, although he may want to make it until the 100th anniversary of the CCP in July.

The big question now is who will Harris pick as the VP? Hillary is available.

[hollyroller@gmail.com]

Dear Growling Tiger. Last night I posted "it's Biden" in response to your Post.

For some reason BV deleted that comment.

I am sorry you do not know how to spell the name of the next US President.
Heck, there is No Way I could spell the name of the Chinese President either.
"it's Biden."

[JP]

Dude, when the Chinese are OK with 10% for The Big Guy, it's Buyden. Or maybe Buyhim would be closer.

[MBGA]

JP, we have to realize we are dealing with very low information people. They don't understand the "The Big Guy" reference. It goes over their heads.

[Joe]

hollyroller, you make my task a lot harder sometimes. Do you even realize what you do when you troll people with the Trump references that, in fact, make no sense? Some unnamed guy from the '90's? Really?

BV didn't delete your comment. It may be in the spam folder and eventually I will go look for it, but that is not the point. You had what was perhaps a worthwhile historical note about the person on Cabrillo, ill-formed as it was, but on point. Then you revealed that you are indeed a "low information" person--maybe the worst kind of troll.

So, what to do? Instead of letting you take a perfectly interesting post about Burlingame history off the rails again, I just may have to start deleting some of your comments. I don't like to do it as it goes again my grain, and is more work but frankly you deserve it. If Twitter and Fakebook can do it today, why not the Voice (rhetorical question)?

STICK TO THE TOPIC and stop the trolling (I hope you know what trolling means). OK?

[Joe]

Now back to the topic of Ogden Dr. Is a plaque commemorating the bombing sufficient? Having biked up to the building to take the picture in the post, I can say it is totally average architecturally. It's been modified with the ramp that I cut out of the photo. But so what? Should it be torn down for more condos with just a bit of bronzed text to remember it? Comments, on topic, please.

[hollyroller@gmail.com]

When you have the time, please let me know what trolling is in connection to my above comments. It may help me be able to comment more effectively.

[hollyroller@gmail.com]

PS
I do know the name of the person in the "Bombing of Cabrillo Rd." & Garfield Court, San Mateo, (both incidents happened within hours of each other-same person) but I did not feel posting their name inappropriate.

[hollyroller@gmail.com]

I meant appropriate. Sorry all.
This event was "all over" the TV and newspapers. You can find some info in the "Micro Film" at the Library. I do not know how to view the TV news reports. It is out there.

[Joe]

Another seemingly done deal:

Plans to redevelop an historic union gathering hall into a 120-unit condominium building near the Millbrae train station received support from officials who put it on a path to final approval by the Burlingame City Council.

The Burlingame Planning Commission unanimously blessed plans to rebuild the old office building and gathering hall at 1868-1870 Ogden Drive into a six-story residential project during a meeting Monday, Feb. 22.

https://www.smdailyjournal.com/news/local/officials-bless-burlingame-historic-redevelopment-plans/article_571f0df4-7a4d-11eb-b262-377c7277efdf.html

[Joe]

Down at the other end of the block on Ogden, more condos:

A new six-story, 90-unit condominium building has been approved by the Burlingame Planning Commission, which will occupy two lots to be merged at 1814 and 1820 Ogden Drive.

The roughly 83,000-square-foot building will include 20 studio, 15 one-bedroom and 55 two-bedroom units, five of which will be set aside for low-income residents. Currently on the site just north of the Mills-Peninsula Medical Center are two office buildings, one story and three story, which will be demolished. The development will feature a public area in front of the building with greenery and seating as well as a side courtyard for residents.

Though some neighbors voiced concern, mostly regarding parking and traffic, commissioners during Monday’s meeting emphasized the need to build more housing in the area to meet demand, as well as meet state and local regulations.