Jobs

Industrial Land Preservation: Key to Green Jobs Growth

Editor — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:48:03 -0500

By Margot Lederer Prado

The most important issue facing Oakland today,” is how former Planning Commission Chair Mark McClure describes the debate over the conversion of Oakland’s approximately 33.8 million square feet of industrial land (and potential job-generating space) for residential use.

Oakland’s industrial land is the city’s premier “jobshed” area outside of the Downtown/Airport area office core with large tracts of strategically-positioned parcels that can provide a base for the 10,000 good jobs, which Mayor Ron Dellums has vowed to create.
Much of the momentum for industrial land preservation in Oakland is due to the emerging green economy and clean tech scientific and energy industries. When Mayor Dellums signed on to the new Green Corridor Initiative (with other East Bay cities) for entry into the field of biosynthetic fuel and solar cells, he signaled that Oakland is ready for such activities. But questions about the preservation of the remaining areas of industrial land, and the production and distribution jobs that have served as Oakland’s jobshed for a century, still remain.

Can Oakland court these new industries while preserving and encouraging its baseline of production, distribution, business-to-business supply and repair, and other existing quality jobs that have provided generations of Oaklanders with a decent living wage, career longevity, and family benefits?

A Small Yet Important Victory in San Leandro

Editor2 — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:57:40 -0600

Urban Habitat and its allies had a small yet important victory in the San Leandro Station Area Plan.

Members of Labor, Congregations Organizing for Renewal, other residents, Urban Habitat and representatives from many of our allies, including EBASE, TALC, EBHO, and UC-Berkeley's Center for Community Innovation packed San Leandro City Council chambers so full that there was standing room only by the time the meeting began.

Policy Implementation for Richmond General Plan

admin — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:24:25 -0600

REDI developed a series of policy recommendations and implementation measures in the areas of land use, housing, transportation, economic development and health. The goal of these policies is to discourage displacement, segregation and gentrification practices that have occurred in cities that are undergoing similar change. When implemented, these policies can provide community benefits for all residents, specifically low-income communities and communities of color.

Dec. 6: Green Jobs: Environmental Sustainability and Curbing Climate Change

Editor2 — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:13:50 -0600

What strategies can we use to revitalize our economy by preserving and transforming manufacturing sites into green sites with green jobs? As businesses and workers adjust to the changing global economy, green manufacturing has become an integral economic strategy for maintaining job security and creating new "green jobs" for the future. How can we provide businesses with incentives to create green jobs? How can we reduce our carbon footprint and rebuild the US manufacturing sector on a green path? We'll examine one case study from the automotive industry and have further discussion on green job initiatives.

400-Person Crowd Makes Bold Plans to "Build Oakland for Everyone"

Editor2 — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:34:00 -0600

The gym at St. Anthony's Church could barely hold the energetic crowd that gathered on Saturday, November 17, 2007 for "Building Oakland for Everyone: A Summit on Jobs, Housing, and Justice." Over 400 Oaklanders came to the summit from neighborhoods across the city, where many struggle with violence and pollution, a lack of good-paying jobs, and overpriced housing. In fact, a recently released report by the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE) and the Oakland Network for Responsible Development (ONWRD) has found that the bottom twenty percent (20%) of Oakland's families control only three percent (3%) of Oakland's wealth.

Training for Choice in the Workplace

admin — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:22:11 -0600

Manos Home Care’s Democratic Scheduling Process

by Kevin Rath

West Oakland continues to rally for better jobs, cleaner air at the port

Editor2 — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:22:11 -0500

In April, the Ports of L.A./Long Beach made history and announced a plan to clean up the port trucking industry. The Southern California Ports are requiring an 80% reduction in diesel emissions within five years. Trucking companies will also be required to hire truck drivers as employees instead of independent contractors. This would end the abuse of truckers who currently live in poverty and cannot legally negotiate for higher wages or benefits as "independent contractors."

of truckers who currently live in poverty and cannot legally negotiate for higher wages or benefits as "independent contractors."

The Ports of L.A./Long Beach are the largest in the country, setting a standard for the nation. Port of Oakland representatives were recently quoted in the media as saying they wanted to implement a similar plan. Currently, Oakland port truck drivers work an average of 11 hours per day, make as little as $8 an hour, and the vast majority have no healthcare. These drivers are forced to wait in lines an average of two hours to pick up a single container while their engines idle, spewing pollution. This not only impacts the drivers, but also the surrounding West Oakland community where diesel emissions are five times higher than in other parts of Alameda County, and one in five children suffers from asthma. What's worse is that West Oakland gets all of the pollution, but sees few Port industry jobs as there are no local hire programs for trucking companies. The Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports in Oakland is working to address these issues.

EBASE campaign exposes corruption at the Woodfin Hotel

Editor2 — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 21:08:51 -0500

On June 14^th, EBASE announced a political corruption scandal – revealed by the San Francisco Bay Guardian – in which Woodfin

owner Samuel Hardage used his political influence as a Republican Party leader and donor to persuade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to investigate his very own hotel and workers. ICE then audited the Emeryville Woodfin Suites, despite its own written policy not to interfere in labor disputes. This revelation undermines the Woodfin's claim that it had no choice but to fire its workers after they began standing up for their rights under Emeryville's Measure C living wage ordinance for hotel housekeepers.

QJWG celebrates RPE's "JUST Jobs" issue

Editor2 — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:44:00 -0500

On March14th, UH hosted an open house event to celebrate the next issue of RP&E : “JUST jobs: Organizing for Economic Justice.” Featuring over two dozen articles from local, regional and national sources, this issue provides a comprehensive look at organizing strategies that aim to confront the neoliberal economic agenda. The evening treated guests to a photo exhibit by David Bacon, speakers from the Woodfin campaign and remarks from the Rev. Phil Lawson.

Social Equity Caucus: the next ten years

Editor2 — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 18:55:00 -0500

The Social Equity Caucus started off 2007 with an ambitious project: evaluate and document the SEC model, and use that information to improve its impact. Towards that end Urban Habitat is working with the Institute for Social & Environmental Justice Education to incorporate the feedback of members past & present through interviews, focus groups, and surveys. We thank you for enthusiastic participation to date, and look forward to sharing our best thinking with you over the coming months!