Oakland

Oakland Workers Claim Contractor Underpaid Them

Editor2 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

More than 100 former employees of an Oakland construction firm that does extensive work for public agencies held a rally in Oakland today to allege that the firm didn't follow the state's prevailing wage law and forced them to sign false timecards.

The former employees filed a lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court on July 17 accusing NBC General Contractors Corp. of ignoring state labor laws by paying them the minimum wage rather than a higher rate required for public works projects.

The suit is seeking millions of dollars in back pay.

The rally was held in front of the Fox Court housing project at the corner of Rashida Muhammad Street and 19th Street in downtown Oakland.

"Cumulative Impacts in East Oakland" Report Release Event

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:31:33 -0500

Start: Sep 22 2008 - 17:30

End: Sep 22 2008 - 19:30

Please join Communities for a Better Environment in launching the release of our on-the-ground mapping study report, "Cumulative Impacts in East Oakland," which documents sources of pollution contributing to cumulative impacts in the Hegenberger Corridor in East Oakland. Light refreshments and cultural arts performances will follow a short presentation. Receive a copy of the report.

Median income slips in California

Editor2 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Tyche Hendricks, Chronicle Staff Writer

American incomes rose modestly between 2006 and 2007, but in California, the typical household lost ground slightly, according to census data released Tuesday, one of several economic indicators that may be a cause for worry as the economy takes another dip, some analysts say.

"I think we should be concerned," said Stanford University economics Professor John Taylor, who is a fellow at the conservative Hoover Institution. "California has been hit by the financial and housing crisis more than most states, that's for sure, and the unemployment rate has risen over the last year and a half."

Bay Area Industrial Roundtable Wrap-Up

Editor2 — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:48:12 -0500

On May 8 the Bay Area Industrial Roundtable held its first public event, a half-day forum on industrial land use. Co-sponsored with the Association of Bay Area Governments, the forum attracted about 100 people from around the region to the MetroCenter in downtown Oakland.

After a welcome by Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, the keynote speaker, City of Los Angeles Planning Director Gail Goldberg, described her agency’s efforts to retain LA’s industrial lands for job-producing uses. In a city with a serious congestion problem and a low median income that contributes to an affordable housing crisis, many industrial businesses, she said, provide well-paying jobs to a local, often transit-dependent workforce.

Mayor Dellums Vows Oakland Will Be Next City to Pass a Comprehensive Clean Trucks Program

Editor2 — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:48:04 -0500

With Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at his side, Mayor Ron Dellums pledged to follow the L.A. Harbor’s example and fix the broken Oakland Port trucking system that is contributing to a public health crisis and forcing drivers to endure sweatshop working conditions.

"I want to take this public opportunity to say to you, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, that you were first, but Oakland is going to be second, so don’t slow down,” said Mayor Dellums. “We must maintain the integrity of good jobs for our migrant truck drivers who need to have a real living -- not a false wage that continues to perpetuate poverty and pollution.”

Merritt College Offers Environmental Justice courses and Carl Anthony Keynote

Editor2 — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:47:53 -0500

Carl Anthony and Paloma Pavel will keynote the free Friday, October 3 Urban Sustainability Conference at Merritt College 9am - 3pm register at www.sustainableperalta.org. Carl Anthony was a founding member of the David R. Brower, Ronald V. Dellums Institute for Sustainable Policy Studies at Merritt College.

Job: Community Organizer for WOEIP

Editor2 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:19:13 -0500

Work for Environmental Justice in West Oakland!

The West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, a community-based non-profit education and advocacy organization has an immediate opening for an experienced Community Organizer.
The campaign goals of the WOEIP are:
•   reducing health risks to West Oakland residents associated with the movement of goods to and from the Port of Oakland,
•   seeking to move polluting trucks and truck related businesses out of West Oakland residential neighborhoods
•   and to identify and reclaim contaminated lands for the benefit of the community.

Professional Proofreading with Jim Norrena

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:06:38 -0500

Start: Sep 27 2008 - 10:00

End: Sep 27 2008 - 13:00

DATES: Two Saturdays September 27 and October 4th
10am-1pm

Nonprofits: Pitching Your Story with Isobel White

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:04:27 -0500

Start: Oct 8 2008 - 13:30

End: Oct 8 2008 - 16:30

Dates: Two Wednesdays October 8th and 15th
1:30-4:30pm

Wind up your pitching arm! In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to get your story told in print, broadcast and electronic media. We'll cover the biggest challenges in pitching and placing your story: how to find the right reporter, how to build lasting relationships with journalists, how to best package your materials, and what makes an effective pitch. Bring a recent press release or pitch letter to the first session: in the second session, we'll help you develop your skills, offer feedback and help you craft effective pitches.

The E-Nonprofit: Digital Media, On-Line Campaigns and Web 2.0 with John Kenyon

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:03:16 -0500

Start: Oct 9 2008 - 10:00

End: Oct 9 2008 - 13:00

Date: Thursday October 9th, 2008
10:00am - 1:00pm

The Internet and digital media are bringing organizations to life in unique ways. From sharing stories about your work or engaging your stakeholders in campaigns to enhance your program work ; digital media brings people closer to your organization while erasing boundaries of time and geography. Review exciting new Web 2.0 tools that engage people in your mission and generate successful on-line campaigns. Real-life examples, discussions and question time included.