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SFPUC meeting dominated by public calls for investigation into alleged wrongful terminations
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Summary
Dozens of public commenters told the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission that employees Joseph King, his son Conrad and others were wrongfully disciplined or fired, urging a civil-service review and accountability; commissioners heard testimony but took no personnel action.
Dozens of community members and union representatives used the SFPUC public-comment period on Oct. 28 to demand an investigation into alleged wrongful terminations and systemic racism affecting current and former employees.
Francisco de Costa, who identified himself as a director of environmental justice advocacy, accused commission leadership and senior managers of "utter corruption" and said the case involving Joe King, his son Conrad and Adolfo Padilla "calls for a deep understanding" and a civil-service review. "This is wrong. This is very wrong," he said.
Other speakers — including Joyce Yulio, Melanie Uwaizofa (who said she spoke on behalf of Joseph King and Conrad Valentia King), Christian Serratos (a Local 38 member), Sonia King, and representatives from union and community organizations — described what they called biased investigations, retaliatory discipline after safety complaints and the emotional and financial toll on affected families. Uwaizofa characterized Joseph King as "a leader, a pillar in the Pacific Islander community" and urged the Commission to seek "justice" and restore fairness.
Steve Zelzer of the United Front Committee for a Labor Party called the events a "racist frame up," asked why unions and the city attorney had not pursued accountability and demanded a formal investigation and remedies. Several callers said the impacted employees have strong local roots and urged the mayor and city attorney to act.
Remote callers echoed the in-person testimony. Peter Drechmeier, policy director for Yosemite Rivers Alliance, praised commenters and urged commissioners to hold workshops to better understand staff proposals on water agreements; Shannon Hesitake, Mary Lang and others offered character statements in support of the named employees.
Commissioners did not take personnel action during the meeting. President Arce closed public comment after the queue was exhausted and the agenda proceeded to staff reports and consent items; the general manager reported "nothing to report." Several commissioners thanked speakers for their comments but did not announce next steps for investigating the personnel allegations during the public meeting.
The public testimony represents a sustained request for oversight and a formal review by either the Commission, the city attorney or civil-service processes. The Commission's minutes and any future agenda materials will indicate whether staff or commissioners schedule follow-up, and callers urged the city to ensure independent investigation and corrective action where appropriate.
