Upcoming Event: FREE Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) Training

The Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) and Suffolk Construction will be hosting a free 10-hour Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) training. The training will cover OSHA regulations and requirements that are necessary as you apply to the construction industry. This will be a good opportunity  for women looking to enter the construction industry.

Saturday January 24th, 2015, 8:30am-3:30pm
Sunday January 25th, 2015 8:30am-3:30pm

OSHA Training
38 Oak Street 
Boston, MA 02111

For more information, check out the event flyer.
If you have any questions or need to sign up, please call Brian McPherson at 617-517-4446 or email BMcPherson@suffolk.com

Repost: MassGaming to establish ‘Access and Opportunity’ committee, Initiative created to support state’s commitment to ensuring workforce and vendor diversity

Last week, The Massachusetts Gaming Commission announced their plans to establish an Access and Opportunity Committee for "the primary function of monitoring diversity in the construction workforce and supplier base of the state's resort-casino licensees" (MGC Communications, 11 Dec. 2014). This motion was passed unanimously by The Commission on December 4. The Policy Group on Tradeswomen's Issues (PGTI) co-conveners Susan Moir and Elizabeth Skidmore expressed their excitement for the achievement, which was spurred in part by The Commission's collaboration with PGTI. "'After six years of hard work developing best practices for increasing the number of women in construction jobs, this is a great milestone, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Commission'" (MGC Communications, 11 Dec. 2014). With major construction planned for new casinos in Massachusetts, this motion means hundreds of jobs for tradeswomen.

To read the full news release, visit http://massgaming.com or download the PDF.

Repost: $100m US purse for apprentice programs: Labor Secretary cites Boston unit as a model

Recently the US Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez toured the Local 17 Sheet Metal Worker’s headquarters and “announced a $100 million program of competitive grants to help fund apprentice programs like Boston’s Building Pathways organization”. Thomas Perez praised the success of the Boston’s Building Pathways which has helped minorities and women enter trades that have been previously closed off to them. Perez believes that the success that Boston achieved can be done throughout the country leading to good jobs for those looking for them.

Visit http://www.dotnews.com/2014/100m-us-purse-apprentice-programs-labor-secretary-cites-boston-unit-mo to read the full article.

 

Labor secretary talks wages in Boston

Perez also wanted to raise support for the Obama administration’s proposals of increasing the national minimum wage and granting workers paid sick leave. He says that Massachusetts has “been a model for the rest of the nation” in which voters recently passed a referendum that requires businesses with 11 or more employees to earn up to 40 hours of paid sick time a year. Perez praised the apprenticeship model and the success found in Boston, he says that the model can be used for numerous job sectors.

Visit http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/11/17/labor-secretary-talks-wages-and-apprenticeships-boston/cZuGY4n16k2KQvcQB5RMgM/story.html to read the full article.

Visit http://www.dol.gov/_sec/newsletter/2014/20141120-2.htm#Boston to read the Department of Labor Newsletter.

Repost: Borger Earthworks Closes the Gender Gap in the Construction Industry

President Bill Borger Jr. of the Borger Group of Companies knows that to form the best construction crew you need to pull from 100% of the labor pool. "Borger's Earthworks division defies the norm and 50% of their workforce is women. In fact, one entire crew is female” (PR Newswire 2014). Clients and stakeholders have praised the team’s performance. The Borger Group adopted the Respect in the WorkplaceTM to make sure that women felt empowered and that there was a healthy workplace for all. This lead to the success of the company

Visit http://www.sys-con.com/node/3233766 to read the full article.​

Repost: UPS Hits the Brakes on Pregnancy Discrimination

There is much for women working at UPS to celebrate in the upcoming new year. The Supreme Court had agreed to hear a suit against UPS about the discrimination that pregnancy employees faced. UPS relented and "In a brief to the Supreme Court, UPS has announced that 'On a going-forward basis, UPS has voluntarily decided to provide additional accommodations for pregnancy-related physical limitations.’” The policy will go into effect on January 1,2015.

For more information visit: http://tdu.org/news/ups-hits-brakes-pregnancy-discrimination

Repost: Construction-Training Grads Are All Women

The Construction Workforce Initiative 2 Program in New Haven, CT, recently presented 37 women with certificates of completion. This graduation ceremony marked the matriculation of their first women-only class in the construction training program. (Markeshia, 23 Oct. 2014).

Visit http://www.newhavenindependent.org to read the full article.

Girls at Work, Inc. MusicFest 2014: 2-for-1 Tickets on Sale Today!

Girls at Work, Inc. is a non-profit in southern New Hampshire that has worked for 13 years to empower young girls by giving them power tools. Check out their upcoming evening of live music, good food, raffles, and more to support this great organization.

Repost: Francoise Jacobsohn Joins ERA with Taskforce on Tradeswomen’s Issues

Equal Rights Advocates recently announced that Françoise Jacobsohn, who serves as a co-chair of the National Task Force on Tradeswomen's Issues and a Fellow at the Cornell ILR Labor and Employment Law Program (LEL), recently joined their organization to restart their Tradeswomen’s Advocacy Project (ERA Staff, 21 Oct. 2014). Along with co-chair Wider Opportunities for Women, the National Task Force will aim "to improve and enforce the law on equal opportunity for tradeswomen through education and legislative and policy advocacy" (ERA Staff, 21 Oct. 2014).

Visit http://www.equalrights.org/ to read the full article.

Repost: Coalition calls for wage guarantees for construction on Roxbury projects

At a recent meeting of the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan Oversight Committee, which monitors construction projects that are part of the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan, the Boston Jobs Coalition and other community activists called for developers to adopt prevailing wages for both union and non-union workers as well as higher goals for contractors to hire residents, women, and people of color. This recommendation comes not long after community members picketed the Tropical Foods store site, where "some workers...were being paid only $11 per hour" (Larson, 22 Oct. 2014). The coalition's efforts have received support from City Councilor Tito Jackson and State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, among others.

Visit http://baystatebanner.com/ to read the full article.

Event Recap: "Paving the Way for Women in Construction" Webinar

"Paving the Way for Women in Construction: Creating Systems and Supports that Work," an October 1, 2014 webinar hosted by the United States Department of Labor Women's Bureau, the Institute for Women's Policy Research, the National Women's Law Center, Wider Opportunities for Women, and Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. "explored ways to increase women's participation, retention, and success in the construction industry." The webinar included a discussion of two new reports, the Institute for Women's Policy Research's results from a survey of tradeswomen and the National Women's Law Center's report on challenges and pathways for women to access higher-paying jobs, as well as best practices in recruitment, training, retention, and technical assistance regarding increasing women's representation in the construction workforce.

For more information about this recent webinar, visit www.dol.gov/wb/.

Repost: Where Are All the Blue-Collar Women?

HuffPost Live's Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani recently interviewed Lorien Barlow (@hardhattedwoman), the director of Hard Hatted Woman, a feature-length documentary film that will explore the experiences of American women working in the construction industry.
Ambra Melendez, a journey ironworker; Francoise Jacobsohn (@fjacobsohn), a project manager at Equal Rights Advocates; and Rudy Mulligan, a second-year carpenter apprentice, also contribute their thoughts on the stereotypes tradeswomen confront in a "hyper-masculine arena."

Visit The Huffington Post online to watch the interview.

Visit www.hardhattedwoman.com to learn more about the documentary.

News Release: Fort Myer Construction will pay $900K to settle discrimination and harassment case involving 371 women and minorities

OFCCP News Release: [09/17/2014]
Contact Name: Laura McGinnis or Michael Trupo
Phone Number: (202) 693-4653 or x6588
Email: McGinnis.Laura.K@dol.gov or Trupo.Michael@dol.gov
Release Number: 14-1513-PHI

Fort Myer Construction will pay $900K to settle discrimination and harassment case involving 371 women and minorities

WASHINGTON — Fort Myer Construction Corp. has agreed to settle charges that it violated Executive Order 11246 by failing to provide equal employment opportunities to employees and job applicants at 413 construction sites in the D.C. metropolitan area.

An agreement reached by the federal contractor and the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs resolves allegations that between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2010, the company discriminated against 27 qualified women and 136 qualified African Americans who applied for jobs as laborers, and unfairly terminated eight African American skilled laborers. It also resolves pay discrimination charges stemming from Fort Myer Construction's practice of assigning equally qualified workers performing the same jobs to projects paying different hourly rates, some with fewer work hours. This resulted in lower wages for 44 African American and 156 Hispanic laborers.

"Strong enforcement and vigilance are critical to opening doors of opportunity for more women and minorities in the construction industry, ensuring that all workers get an equal shot at getting to work on the highest-paying projects," said OFCCP Director Patricia A. Shiu.

OFCCP's investigation of Fort Myer Construction began in January 2011 during the agency's review of companies involved in constructing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's consolidated headquarters in southeastern D.C. Because that project is valued above $25 million and will last more than a year, this undertaking has been designated by the Labor Department as a Mega Construction Project, which is a priority area for OFCCP. More than 300 workers were interviewed over the course of the compliance evaluation, which focused on Fort Meyer Construction's employment practices in 2010.

"Getting those workers in the door and keeping them is going to take more than improved applicant tracking and better pay policies," said OFCCP Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Michele Hodge. "It's going to take a concerted effort by Fort Myer Construction's leadership to change a culture that devalues too many workers."

During their investigation, OFCCP compliance officers received more than 30 phone calls alerting them to charges of harassment, intimidation, threats and coercion at work. The agency discovered that supervisors at Fort Myer Construction used hostile and derogatory language toward African American and Hispanic employees, as well as a disabled veteran. The supervisors sexually harassed and tried to date female subordinates. African American women were locked out of restroom facilities and had feces left in their work trucks. A company vice president tried to interfere in OFCCP's investigation by discouraging Hispanic employees from talking to agency inspectors conducting an onsite review. Even a female investigator from OFCCP was subjected to inappropriate sexual jokes by a superintendent while at a Fort Myer Construction work site.

Under the terms of the settlement, Fort Myer Construction will pay $900,000 in back wages and interest to 371 class members and make job offers to seven women and 30 African Americans from that class as laborer positions become available. The company has also agreed to undertake extensive training and monitoring measures to ensure that all its employment practices – including hiring, termination and compensation – fully comply with the laws enforced by OFCCP.

D.C.-based Fort Myer Construction builds, repairs and maintains streets, roads, bridges and underground utilities. In 2010, the company received more than $400 million in federal funds for work on 155 construction projects in the D.C. area. Some of its largest contracts that year were with the U.S. Department of Transportation, General Services Administration, Navy Department, National Park Service and Smithsonian Institution.

In addition to Executive Order 11246, OFCCP enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These three laws require that those who do business with the federal government, both contractors and subcontractors, follow the fair and reasonable standard that they not discriminate in employment on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. For more information, visit http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/.

Read this news release en Español.

Repost: Iron fist in a velvet glove, Chinese women on construction site

© 2009 - 2012 ChinaHush

ChinaHush recently published striking photos of women working in construction in China, where "woman construction workers have taken up 10.18% of the total construction site workforce" (Lee, 24 Sept. 2014). Many of these women work side-by-side with their husbands, earning wages to support their families. While these jobs often provide better wages and greater freedom than factory jobs, women workers typically make less money than their male counterparts--in the case of 32-year-old Yang Amei, 120 yuan instead of the 160 yuan per day that her husband earns (Lee, 24 Sept. 2014). In recent years, women have taken on roles that require "heavy lifting" on the construction sites--work that was previous reserved for men.

To read the full article and view the photos, visit http://www.chinahush.com/.

Upcoming Event: WOW Book Talk Series with Dr. Mary Gatta - 10/9/14, 1-3pm

As part of their 50th Anniversary Book Talk Series, Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW) will host an event featuring new CEO Amanda Andere and Dr. Mary Gatta, who will discuss her new book, All I Want Is a Job! Unemployed Women Navigating the Public Workforce System.

Thursday, October 9th, 1-3pm

Jobs for the Future
88 Broad St, 8th Floor Conference Room

Boston, MA 02110 

For more information, check out the event flyer. To RSVP, visit WOW online.

Repost: Become a Union Carpenter [video]

Awesome video just released by the NERCC's Sisters in the Brotherhood to recruit more women to become union carpenters. Pass it along!

Repost: Lessons from returning women migrant workers

A recent article in The Phnom Penh Post illuminates the importance of protecting Cambodian women who face many challenges and dangers while they migrate to and from worksites in Thailand:

"Chandy’s story was positive – she received her wages, retained her belongings and returned to Cambodia unharmed. But in crossing into Thailand as an irregular migrant, there were no guarantees of her safety or protection. Indeed, many of Chandy’s fellow returnees had much darker stories to tell." (Holliday, 10 Sept. 2014)

Chandy's story is just one of many women who overcome barriers to earn a living for themselves and their families.

Visit http://www.phnompenhpost.com/ to read the full article. 

Repost: Manufacturing and Women

A group of federal, state, educational, community, and industry leaders recently gathered at The New Haven Connecticut Chamber of Commerce for "a roundtable discussion focused on the need for more women business owners and more women in advanced manufacturing positions" (USDOL, 4 Sept. 2014). Congratulations to Women's Bureau regional administrator Jacqueline Cooke and the other leaders on their continued efforts to recruit and retain women in non-traditional occupations.

Visit http://www.dol.gov to read the full article in the USDOL newsletter.

Repost: CAWIC Calls on Construction Industry to Promote Women's Advancement

Earlier this year, the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) announced its plans to "conduct research and develop an action plan to improve women's advancement into leadership roles within the construction industry" with support from a sizable government grant (CAWIC, 21 February 2014). CAWIC is recruiting employers in Alberta, Ontario and Newfoundland/Labrador to collaborate with as part of its Women's Advancement Project (CNW, 26 August 2014).

Visit http://www.newswire.ca to read CAWIC's most recent press release and www.cawic.ca to learn more about CAWIC.

Repost: Govt to double women at construction sites

A "joint action plan" to increase women's participation in the construction workforce was recently adopted by a small group of public-private partners in Japan. The group of general contractors, contractors associations, and government agencies has committed to doubling the number of women in their construction industry by adding 100,000 women by 2019 (Jiji Press, 24 August 2014)!

Visit http://the-japan-news.com/ to read the article.

Repost: Is construction still a losing game for most women? Are you part of the problem?

A recent article by Julia Evans, Chief Executive at BSRIA, describes the ebb and flow of women workers in the construction field during the past two centuries and questions the long-term efficacy of legislation that simply "throws money" at the job access problem. Through a look at the historical efforts to incorporate women in the building trades workforce, Evans smartly argues:

"Funding new training opportunities is a great step forward, but to see real change we need industry leaders to be proactive in embedding a more diverse and inclusive work culture. The majority of women aged 25-45 find that attitudes, behaviours and perceptions are the greatest barriers (3)." (Evans, 23 July 2014)

To read Evans' full argument regarding women workers in Britain's construction workforce, visit http://www.link2portal.com/.

News Release: Suffolk Construction Launches Fall 2014 Subcontractor Development Series

If you know a Massachusetts MBE or WBE that would benefit from training in construction management and greater access to relationships with major contractors like Suffolk Construction, Suffolk Construction's upcoming Subcontractor Development Series may provide the additional information and resources to help that subcontractor increase their success in the construction field. Applications for the Fall 2014 series are due Friday, August 15 at 5pm.

To get more information, review the eligibility requirements, and complete an application, check out Suffolk Construction's recent news release or visit www.suffolk.com/subcontractor_development_series.html.

Event Recap: "Where are all the women?" webinar

On August 5th, Gamaliel, a network of community organizing affiliates across the United States, South Africa and the United Kingdom, hosted a webinar on "Putting Women to Work in the Skilled Trades through Regulatory Reform" (Gamaliel, 30 July 2014). Panelists Connie Ashbrook, Executive Director of Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc., Francoise Jacobsohn, former manager of Legal Momentum's economic security program, and Jenny Perrino, legislative director for U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, discussed "why women are still excluded from the construction trades and what can be done to fix the problem" (Gamaliel, 30 July 2014). This webinar is part of Gamaliel's ongoing efforts through the Fire of Faith campaign, which seeks to increase access to living-wage jobs.

Watch the full video of the webinar.
Download the webinar PowerPoint slides.
Learn more about Gamaliel's Fire of Faith campaign.

Repost: World Trade Center contractor charged in multimillion-dollar fraud

DCM Erectors Inc, a contractor of the World Trade Center project in New York City, has been charged with creating fake documentation to appear in compliance with MBE and WBE requirements for construction. A recent Reuters article written by Joseph Ax states:

"In one instance, [DCM Erectors CEO] Davis arranged for at least $2 million in compensation for Johnny Garcia, the owner of minority-owned Solera Construction, the government said. 

Davis claimed a joint venture between Solera and DCM did about $70 million of work when, in fact, DCM did the work itself or hired a non-minority subcontractor, prosecutors said." (Ax, 31 July 2014)

The nearly $1 billion construction job, which includes the US's tallest tower at the site of the September 11th attacks, falls under the New York and New Jersey's Port Authority Regulations regarding the allocation of construction contracts to MBE and WBE companies.

Visit http://www.reuters.com/ to read the full Reuters article.

Repost: Mayor Walsh targets gang members for jobs - Trade unions step up with apprenticeships

The Boston Herald recently reported that Mayor Walsh and attorney Daniel Mulhern have developed a program, Operation Exit, to direct youth involved in street violence to employment in the building trades. Select individuals will complete an apprenticeship program and subsequently gain access to union employment and benefits. Walsh states:

''It’s a great way to get somebody into an industry where they’re going to make a good amount of money in the beginning, but it gets them off the street, hopefully gets them to understand the importance of working and the value of working,' Walsh told the Herald. 'And it will help us on the backside by taking some of the key players off the street'" (Encarnacao, 18 July 2014).

Visit http://bostonherald.com/ to read the full article.

Repost: Women in Trades - An Apprenticeship Success Story

Oregon Tradeswomen Inc. (OTI) Executive Director Connie Ashbrook's recent post on the USDOL blog provides a concrete narrative of both the challenges that women face in entering the construction trades and the need for Registered Apprenticeship programs to focus on recruiting women. Ashbrook rightly states,

"Although many people believe it is women’s physical abilities that can keep them from succeeding in a trades career, the most challenging obstacle women have to overcome in becoming an apprentice is a lack of knowledge about these careers and how to successfully apply for apprenticeship" (Ashbrook, 17 July 2014).

Programs like OTI's pre-apprenticeship program continue to serve as an integral link for women to access good-paying jobs in the building trades. Read more about OTI and the success of their pre-apprentice Deawendoe “Dee” St. Martin at http://social.dol.gov/blog/.

Repost: Mind the Gap - How One Employer Tackled Pay Equity

A recent article in The Wall Street Journal describes a successful policy implemented at McGill University to close the pay gap between male and female employees. After 13 years and $19 million US dollars, McGill provided equal wages to the 12,000 men and women whom they employ full-time (Murray, 8 July 2014). Their gender-equity program even provided backpay to employees who were considered underpaid according to a new Quebec law. The article explains how the program mathematically determined fair pay:

"The program's goal was to ensure that pay for female-dominated professions was keeping pace with male-dominated ones of equal importance. If administrative assistants were considered as valuable as groundskeepers, the thinking went, the women who jotted down phone messages and kept appointment calendars should be compensated as well as the men working the lawns" (Murray, 8 July 2014).

A similar pay gap between men and women persists in the United States, with some estimates as high as 19% (USDOL as cited in Murray). With federal legislation delayed, states and cities are working to develop their own solutions. In Boston, the Mayor and the Workforce Women's Council lead "100% Talent: The Boston Women's Compact" (www.cityofboston.gov/). Through this initiative, companies such as Suffolk Construction work independently to address equal pay issues.

To learn more about "100% Talent: The Boston Women's Compact," visit http://www.cityofboston.gov/.

To read the full article in The Wall Street Journal, visit http://m.us.wsj.com/.

Repost: Homophobia Hinders Women’s Progress in Building Trades

A recent study conducted by Amy M. Denissen of California State University and Abigail C. Saguy of University of California–Los Angeles illuminates the ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining women in the construction industry by examining the gender discrimination and homophobia many tradeswomen experience on the job. A press release published by Sociologists for Women in Society states:

"Denissen and Saguy explain that when women enter trade work, men often feel threatened. This stems from the building trades being traditionally seen as “men’s work.” The study finds that tradeswomen are sexually objectified and occupationally discriminated against in an attempt to neutralize the threat tradeswomen pose to men’s right of privileged access to these lucrative careers." (SWS, 17 June 2014)

To read the full press release, visit http://socwomen.org/swspr62014/. To download a copy of the study, visit http://gas.sagepub.com/.

Repost: Court Rules that Federal Law Bars Employers from Discriminating Against Breastfeeding Employees

Legal Momentum recently represented female construction workers in a discrimination case and helped protect the right to receive breastfeeding accommodations on the job.

"Earlier this year, Legal Momentum filed to intervene on behalf of four female sheet metal workers in a lawsuit filed against Vamco Sheet Metals, Inc., a New York-based construction company that manufactures and installs sheet metal. The lawsuit was originally filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in September of last year, after the agency’s investigation concluded that the company had discriminated against its female employees. The investigation was prompted by the charges filed by four women, each of whom reported being terminated from her job due to her sex.

Legal Momentum’s court papers also noted that one of the women reported being discharged by the construction company after she notified her supervisor that she was a nursing mother in need of time and space to express milk for her child.

In their court papers opposing Legal Momentum’s intervention, defendants argued that the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act does not protect employees who are terminated after requesting breastfeeding-related accommodations. The Magistrate Judge disagreed, ruling that employers who take adverse employment action against nursing employees may be found to violate the Pregnancy Discrimination Act" (Legal Momentum, 12 June 2014).

Read the full press release and ruling at https://www.legalmomentum.org.

Repost: What’s Next for Women in the Trades?

Great article written by Michael Theriault, Secretary-Treasurer of the San Francisco Building & Construction Trades Council, about the need to recruit and support more women in the building trades:

"While the old Building Trades pattern of white male exclusion of minorities, then, has been largely – even if not absolutely – superseded by a new, more complex reality, we still appear to exclude women.

We and the City can take many practical steps yet toward enrolling and supporting women in the Trades. We can target pre-apprenticeship programs primarily at women, as does a recent Iron Workers multi-trades welding program. We can insist that existing pre-apprenticeship programs target specific numbers of female apprenticeship candidates, as the Carpenters have done at John O’Connell High School. I have advocated for years for childcare programs with construction hours, which would benefit many men as well. We can ask successful Tradeswomen to serve as recruiters and mentors" (Theriault, 30 May 2014).

Visit http://www.sfbuildingtradescouncil.org/ to read the full article.

Repost: Dayton signs law to give women a better workplace

Governor Mark Dayton of Minnesota recently signed a law that requires state contractors to provide equal pay regardless of gender and expands benefits for parents working in the construction field. This is the first law of this kind in the country! Here's a clip from a recent Star Tribune article, describing the bill:

"The Women’s Economic Security Act, comprised of nine separate pieces of legislation, won legislative approval last week with bipartisan support. It forces about 1,000 state contractors to certify that they pay men and women equally for similar jobs, extends parental leave from six to 12 weeks and requires employers to make new accommodations for expectant and new mothers.

Dayton signed the bill surrounded by women at an event at the governor’s reception room. Women’s groups fought hard for the package.
'Nothing else like this is happening in the nation,' said Lee Roper-Batker, president of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. 'I have to tell you the nation is watching and cheering … right now'" (Roper, 11 May 2014).

Visit http://www.startribune.com/ to read the full article and visit http://wdoc.house.leg.state.mn.us to read a full description of this bill.

Repost: Newly launched program gives women a pathway to building trades

Great article in the May 16 2014 issue of New Hampshire Business Review describing Building Pathways New Hampshire (BPNH)'s efforts to help women access good jobs in the construction industry:

"Lisa Wiggin was looking for a career change. A 40-something nurse’s assistant, she wanted a job that was 'more hands-on' and gave her the satisfaction of working on a project and seeing something finished. 

At a visit to the unemployment office, Wiggin learned about Building Pathways New Hampshire, a program to provide pre-apprenticeship training to unemployed and underemployed women in hopes of building the female ranks in the construction industry. About 13 women were selected for the inaugural class, which began May 12 and runs for five weeks" (Lamontagne Hall, 16 May 2014).

Visit http://www.nhbr.com/ to read the full article.

Repost: Hundreds of girls try out nontraditional jobs at career fair

Congratulations to our colleagues at Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. for bringing over 2,000 women and girls to their recent Women in Trades Career Fair!



Here's a short recap from nwlaborpress.org:

"More than 2,000 women and teenagers were introduced to careers in 'non-traditional' trades such as construction worker, lineman, and firefighter at the 22nd annual Women in Trades Career Fair held May 8-10 in Northeast Portland" (Northwest Labor Press, 14 May 2014).

Visit http://www.katu.com/news, http://nwlaborpress.org/, and http://www.tradeswomen.net/Fair/ to learn more.

Repost: US Department of Labor settles charges of racial discrimination with New York City-based federal contractor Parsons Brinckerhoff

On May 8th, the US Department of Labor circulated a news release that describes contractor Parsons Brinckerhoff's settlement over hiring discrimination for federal construction jobs. The news release states, "During a scheduled compliance review, OFCCP investigators determined that Parsons Brinckerhoff violated Executive Order 11246 between 2010 and 2012 by using a hiring process that resulted in systemic discrimination. The agency found that Parsons Brinckerhoff did not follow its own written hiring policies and failed to use a consistent selection process for screening, interviewing and selecting assistant engineers. As a result, zero minorities were hired as assistant engineers during the review period...Under the terms of the conciliation agreement signed by both parties, the contractor will pay $188,043 in back wages and interest to the affected job seekers and will offer assistant engineer positions and retroactive seniority to at least four class members as positions become available" (OFCCP, 8 May 2014). This settlement will affect 247 job applicants.

Visit http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ofccp/ to read the full press release about this settlement.

Repost: Real-Life Rosie The Riveters Finally Get White House Visit

Great video showing real "Rosie the Riveters" getting recognition from Vice President Biden and President Obama at the White House!

  ABC US News | ABC Entertainment News

Repost: "Jobs for All" - Telling the Real Stories of Access to Opportunity

On April 10th, Gamaliel hosted Telling Our Stories: How to Organize a Powerful People’s Field Hearing (or Roundtable) on Jobs, a webinar that focused on telling the real stories of access to job opportunities in the construction field. The recap below includes links to the online event's PowerPoint presentation and video as well as information for those interested in organizing field hearings regarding construction job access.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PowerPoint Presentation: Slides
Video link: Telling our Stories

A Timeline for Organizing a People’s Field Hearings

“Jobs for All:” Telling the Real Stories of Access to Opportunity

Who: People of faith, leaders in the community, elected officials at all levels of government—especially Members of Congress—U.S. Department of Labor regional staff, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regional staff, other decision-makers

When: Late spring and summer 2014

Why: For too long, low income people, people of color, and women have been denied access to quality jobs and career paths in the construction industry because of outdated federal regulations. Now is the time for reform. “Jobs for All” People’s Field Hearings provide a powerful vehicle for telling the real stories about access to opportunity in the construction industry and for calling on decision-makers to act now to create an economy that works for all Americans.

Resources: We have provided several sample resources on the Gamaliel/TEN website from transportation field hearings held by our affiliates. These may be adapted for the “Jobs for All” field hearings.

• Commitment Card (PDF)
• Field Hearing Bulletin Insert (PDF)
• MORE2 Photo and Story Release
• Program (PDF)
• Pulpit Announcement
• Save the Date Postcard (PDF)
• Transit Story Want Ad

Timeline:

• Three weeks to six weeks (or more) ahead of field hearing:
• Assemble your leadership team – give special attention to the following lead roles: targets, logistics, media, turnout, agenda roles and preparation
• Develop the agenda for your field hearing
• Begin turnout process
• Invite targets (Members of Congress, local and state elected officials)
• Enlist agenda participants, including facilitators
• Meet with representative of host congregation
• At least two weeks in advance of the field hearing:
• Reach out to media
• Check in about turnout
• Follow up with MOC offices and other elected offices
• One week ahead of the field hearing:
• Train facilitators
• Check in about turnout
• Follow up with MOC offices and other elected offices, as needed
• Reconfirm logistical needs with host congregation
• Two to three days ahead of field hearing:
• Hold field hearing rehearsal
• Check in with media about presence at event
• Submit press release to all media outlets
• Day of field hearing:
• Arrive early for set-up ( prep for arrival of targets, media, individuals on agenda, facilitators, other participants)
• Hold pre-meeting with those who have roles
• Host evaluation following the field hearing
• Within 24 hours following field hearing:
• Submit report, media received, and photos to “Dream for All” Campaign Staff
• If no media was present at field hearing, send a brief story with photos to the press


©2014 Gamaliel

Upcoming Event: USDOL Women's Bureau's Boston Regional Forum on Working Families

The US Department of Labor Women's Bureau will be hosting a Boston Regional Forum to "identify initiatives that benefit America's working families, businesses and economy." The event will be held:

May 19, 2014

9:30am-12:30pm

JFK Federal Building

25 New Sudbury St

Boston, MA 02203

Visit the USDOL website to register by May 17th, get more information about the Boston Regional Forum, or learn more about the White House Summit.

Repost: A few strong women - Buildings Trades Union wants more female workers

More great press for Building Pathways New Hampshire! Here's a preview of the article in the April 17th issue of The Hippo:

"Nationally, women only make up about 2 percent of building industries workers, but if you ask the organizers of the New Hampshire Building Pathways program, a new initiative aimed at recruiting and training women for careers in construction, women do just as well as men. 

'The truth is, women have been doing heavy physical labor since the dawn of time. There’s nothing inherent about us that says we can’t do this,' said Liz Skidmore, Building Pathways organizer and veteran construction worker. 'As girls, we don’t get told this is an option, or this is possible.' 

The New Hampshire Building Trades Unions is piloting Building Pathways, which will give 13 unemployed and underemployed women the opportunity to participate in a pre-apprenticeship program." (Fishow, 17 April 2014)

Visit http://www.hippopress.com/ to read the full article.

Repost: Women Finding a Second Chance in Energy Efficiency

Congratulations to Oregon Tradeswomen for the recent coverage of their continued great work. Here's a quote from the op-ed on Next City's website, describing their successful apprenticeship program:

"Dobhran moved to Portland, Oregon, where she and her son shared a small bedroom in a friend’s apartment. She relied on public assistance while she scoured the city for work.

...

Then she heard about an apprenticeship program offered by Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. The organization uses grants to provide 6-8 week training courses for women who want to work in industries like green building and energy efficiency." (Johnson Avery, 24 April 2014)

Visit http://nextcity.org/ to read the full article.

Repost: New law requires MassDOT construction pre-apprentice program

A recent article in The Boston Globe describes a new bill that requires MassDOT to utilize a pre-apprenticeship program for training construction workers:

"State legislators are hoping that a pre-apprenticeship program required by a transportation bond bill will give women and minorities more access to state construction jobs. 

The provision in the bill mandates that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation train at least 300 young adults, women, minorities, or people from low-income families annually in a program that would last at least five years." (Powers, 25 April 2014)

Visit http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro to read the article. 

Chicago Women in Trades online manual for bringing more women into the trades (2004)

Chicago Women in Trades created this online manual for bringing more women into construction. Their website states:

"The goal of this on-line manual is promote replication of strategies that increase the number of women joining the construction workforce. The site, therefore, contains comprehensive information and material from which organizations can build an entire training program, augment an existing program or simply improve their ability to promote construction careers to women. Under each section, organizations can find overviews of the activities as well as downloadable tools that include implementation guides for staff, lesson plans for instructors, hand-outs for participants and administrative tools such as job descriptions and evaluation forms. 

The highlights of this guide include a customizable “Jill of All Trades”flyer, “You Can Do It, A Woman’s Guide to Building a Construction Career”, a career education video which you can download or view on site, a student aptitude assessment, and a comprehensive training curriculum, all developed with support from the U.S. Department of Labors’ High Growth Job Training Program."

Visit http://www.chicagowomenintrades.org/top/top_home.html to view the manual or learn more.

Repost: Cory Booker, Tim Scott team up for the first time

Great article in The Washington Post about bi-partisan support for registered apprenticeship programs! Here's a preview:

"On Wednesday Booker and Scott teamed up to unveil their first significant piece of legislation designed to help create hundreds of thousands of paid apprenticeships in highly skilled trades, including construction, manufacturing, health care, energy and telecommunications. The hope is that the program will help create jobs for younger Americans, especially minorities struggling to find work. 

Booker and Scott’s LEAP Act (Leveraging and Energizing America’s Apprenticeship Programs) would provide tax credits to employers who offer apprenticeships to younger job applicants. Companies that offer apprenticeships to people under age 25 would receive a $1,500 tax credit and a $1,000 credit for apprentices above age 25."

Check out the whole article, written by Ed O'Keefe, at http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/04/09/cory-booker-tim-scott-team-up-for-the-first-time/.

Repost: Builders aim to double skilled female workers

Contractors in Japan are recruiting tradeswomen to meet the industry's labor demands.

-----------------------------------------------------

The Japan Federation of Construction Contractors wants to double the number of skilled female construction workers to some 180,000 within the next five years to help ease the industry’s labor shortage.

Construction demand is expected to continue growing on the back of the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2020 as well as reconstruction projects following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

It is the first time for the federation to set a numerical target for female workers, according to its officials.

“I hope more and more young people and women will enter the industry to help it remain attractive,” Mitsuyoshi Nakamura, chairman of the federation, said in February.

The federation will call on member contractors to take steps to improve the work environment for women, such as introducing staggered hours and women-only toilets.

It also wants them to form “Nadeshiko” teams of female supervisors and workers at construction sites, named after the Nadeshiko Japan national women’s soccer team.

Subcontractors will also be urged to improve the environment for female workers.

According to data from the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, there were 3.37 million skilled construction workers in 2012. Of them, women accounted for only some 90,000, or 2.7 percent.

THE JAPAN TIMES LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Visit http://www.japantimes.co.jp to view the original article.

Repost: DOL Settles Sex Harassment Case in Puerto Rico

News Release

U.S. Department of Labor            For Immediate Release                    April 1, 2014

Office of Public Affairs               Contact: Ted Fitzgerald                   Andre J. Bowser

Boston, Mass.                             Phone: 617-565-2075                      617-565-2074

Release Number: 14-363-NEW    Email: fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov   bowser.andre.j@dol.gov

Puerto Rico construction contractor settles sexual harassment and discrimination case with US Department of Labor

Constructora Santiago to pay $40,000 to three female victims

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Constructora Santiago II Corp., a federal construction contractor in San Juan, will make a lump sum payment of $40,000 to three female carpenters who were sexually harassed, retaliated against and denied regular and overtime work hours comparable to those of their male counterparts. The settlement follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.

“No person — male or female — should have to put up with the degrading and inappropriate treatment these women faced just to get a paycheck,” said OFCCP Director Patricia A. Shiu. “There’s no excuse for that kind of behavior, and it’s particularly egregious when the discrimination takes place at work sites funded by taxpayers.”

OFCCP investigators reviewed Constructora Santiago’s employment practices and determined that the company violated Executive Order 11246 by discriminating against women in compensation and by permitting sexual harassment and retaliation against employees who complained about a hostile work environment.

Additionally, OFCCP found that Constructora Santiago did not provide adequate restroom facilities for female employees. At times, the contractor provided no restrooms for women, and female employees were forced to relieve themselves outdoors, even in the presence of male colleagues. When a restroom was available, it was not separate from the men’s restroom and was not clean. Investigators also found that female workers were subjected to unwelcome, sexually charged comments, teasing, jokes and pressure to go out on dates. The conciliation agreement entered into by Constructora Santiago and OFCCP resolves these and numerous other legal violations at the company’s construction work sites across Puerto Rico.

Under the terms of the conciliation agreement, the construction company will pay $40,000 to the three female carpenters, provide adequate toilet and changing facilities for them and develop anti-harassment policies. Constructora Santiago has also agreed to undertake extensive self-monitoring measures and training to ensure that its employment practices fully comply with Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Constructora Santiago has built more than $900 million worth of highways and bridges in Puerto Rico, as well as commercial and industrial structures. In January 2012, when OFCCP’s review began, the company held a federally assisted contract worth more than $10 million with the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority.

In addition to Executive Order 11246, OFCCP enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These three laws require those who do business with the federal government, both contractors and subcontractors, must follow the fair and reasonable standard that they not discriminate in employment on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. For more information, visit http://www.dol.gov/ofccp.

# # #

EN ESPAÑOL

Contratista de la construcción de Puerto Rico sella una disputa sobre un caso de acoso y discriminación con el Departamento de Trabajo de los EE. UU.

Constructora Santiago paga $40.000 a tres víctimas femeninas

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – La Constructora Santiago II Corp., un contratista de la construcción a nivel federal de San Juan, pagará un total de $40.000 a tres carpinteras que fueron acosadas sexualmente, sufrieron represalias y a quienes se les negó un horario laboral regular y horas extra a diferencia de sus compañeros masculinos. El acuerdo llegó después de una investigación por parte de la Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) [Oficina de Programas de Cumplimiento del Contratos Federales] del Departamento de Trabajo de los EE. UU.

“Ninguna persona, hombre o mujer, debería tolerar el tratamiento denigrante e inadecuado que estas mujeres enfrentaron para obtener un cheque de pago”, dijo Patricia A. Shiu, Directora del OFCCP. “No existe excusa alguna para este tipo de comportamiento, y cuando la discriminación ocurre en lugares de trabajo financiados por los contribuyentes es particularmente atroz”.

Los investigadores de la OFCCP revisaron las prácticas de empleo de Constructora Santiago y determinaron que la empresa violaba el Decreto Ejecutivo 11246 discriminando contra las mujeres en materia de compensación laboral, y permitiendo el acoso sexual y las represalias contra las empleadas que protestaban acerca de un entorno de trabajo hostil.

Además, la OFCCP encontró que Constructora Santiago no proveía instalaciones de descanso y baños para las trabajadoras empleadas. A veces, el contratista no proporcionaba instalaciones de baños para mujeres, y las empleadas eran obligadas a hacer sus necesidades fuera de las instalaciones, inclusive ante la presencia de sus colegas masculinos. Cuando existía un baño disponible, éste no estaba separado de los baños de los hombres y no estaba limpio. Los investigadores también hallaron que las trabajadoras eran víctimas de comentarios indeseables, sexualmente implícitos, bromas, burlas y presión para aceptar citas. El acuerdo de conciliación realizado entre Constructora Santiago y la OFCCP resuelve estas y otras numerosas violaciones a la ley en los lugares de trabajo de construcción de la empresa en todo Puerto Rico.

Según los términos del acuerdo de conciliación, la empresa constructora pagará $40.000 a estas tres carpinteras, proveerá baños adecuados y vestuarios para las mismas, y desarrollará políticas contra el acoso. Constructora Santiago además ha acordado asumir medidas de monitoreo interno y entrenamiento extensivas para asegurarse de que todas las prácticas de empleo cumplan por completo con la Orden Ejecutiva 11246, que prohíbe a los contratistas y sub-contratistas discriminar en el empleo con base en la raza, color, religión, sexo u origen nacional.

Constructora Santiago ha construido más de $900 millones de carreteras y puentes en Puerto Rico, al igual que estructuras comerciales e industriales. En enero de 2012, cuando comenzó la revisión de la OFCCP, la empresa tenía un contrato con asistencia federal por un valor de $10 millones con la Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority [Autoridad de Carreteras y Transportación de Puerto Rico].

Aparte de la Orden Ejecutiva 11246, la OFCCP aplica la  Sección 503 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973 y la Ley de Asistencia para el Reajuste de los Veteranos de la Era de Vietnam de 1974. Estas tres leyes requieren de aquellos que realizan negocios con el gobierno federal, tanto contratistas como subcontratistas, cumplan con un estándar justo y razonable, que no discrimine en el empleo sobre la base de sexo, raza, color, religión, origen nacional, discapacidad o estado de veterano protegido. Por más información, visite http://www.dol.gov/ofccp.

# # #

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).

Repost: A woman working a "man's job" - Mrs. Maombi, bricklayer

Mrs Maombi with her trowel.
© Photo: Thierry Kayandi/RNW
http://www.rnw.nl/africa

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, few people are surprised when a woman drops her apron for a job to help support her household. But many were surprised when Maombi Aristide chose to become a bricklayer.

Published on : 24 March 2014 - 2:11pm | By RNW Africa Desk (Photo: Thierry Kayandi/RNW)

By Thierry Kayandi, Goma

Aristide, 34, is a mother of six who realized that her family could no longer manage on her husband’s salary alone. Working for the Congolese National Police, he did not earn enough to pay for their children’s education.

DRC’s persisting socio-economic crisis has forced many Congolese women to seek an incoming-generating activity to help make ends meet at home. Maombi is certainly not a unique case. But her choice of job was. Bricklaying is still seen as an exclusively male trade in such a traditional and conservative society like DRC.

From vending to bricklaying

Before entering the construction industry, Maombi sold snacks on the streets of Goma. She made around three dollars a day, with one dollar being spent on the 15-kilometre trip to and from her home in Ndosho. This meagre income was barely enough to put food on the table.

But Maombi found inspiration for her future job in the Rwandan city of Gisenyi, near Goma, after crossing the border to look up an old neighbour. She found her working on a construction site where all the bricklayers were women. With no man to guide or supervise them, the women’s determination and independence made a deep impression on Maombi.

“These Rwandan women inspired me, especially their dynamism," she recalls. "That same evening when I returned home I told my husband about it and decided to change my activities.”

Maombi first worked for a few months as an intern assistant bricklayer for the renovation of the school she attended as a child. Once completed, the school began offering a new course encouraging women and girls to take up careers in construction. Maombi jumped at the opportunity and, through her teachers, she found her next job on a construction site. 

A better income, a better life

Maombi’s living conditions have improved considerably with the six to eight dollars she now earns per day. She has no reason to miss her hawking days. Thanks to her financial contribution, her family can now afford both education and healthcare.

Her husband is proud of her. Maombi now also has more time for her children since she works closer to home and no longer has to undertake long and costly bus commutes.

“My husband didn’t like it when I was selling on the streets because I would often come home late at night, when the younger children were already asleep,” she explains.

Her eldest daughter is now 14 and wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps by taking construction courses at the school. She is only waiting for her father’s approval. How could he possibly say no?

Visit http://www.rnw.nl/ to view this article's source.

Repost: Breaking the Stigma in the Skilled Trades

Women are a resource to help address the looming shortage of skilled workers

TORONTO — As Ontario struggles to find a solution to a labour shortage that will require an estimated 40,000 skilled workers over the next decade, stigma blocks a potential workforce that could play a large part in rectifying the problem.

The historical and misguided public perception that the skilled trades are the domain of big, brawny, handy men has resulted in a dearth of women in the trades, but it is past time to break down those barriers, says Tammy Evans, President of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction.

“We have unemployed and underemployed women who are a natural resource for entering the skilled trades,” says Evans, who will be at Future Building 2014 in an effort to reach the next generation of potentialtradeswomen. “Events like Future Building are a great opportunity to educate the public and really push the discussion to ask why not? Why not open the door to a woman in the skilled trades? Why not consider investing in training, hiring and promoting women in trades as a viable, homegrown, economic advantage to address the current and future shortage of skilled trades?”

Future Building, partnership of the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) and Employment Ontario, is a three-day interactive trade expo geared towards students in Grades 7-12, showcasing the various skilled trades in the industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector, including masons, plumbers, glaziers, carpenters, ironworkers, steamfitters and sheet metal workers.

This year’s show will take place April 8-10 at the Mainway Recreation Centre in Burlington.

“The unionized construction sector has been actively working to increase the number of women in the skilled trades, and we expect we will see a lot of young women touring the show floor at Future Building,” says Sean Strickland, Chief Executive Officer of the OCS. “Technology has changed the needs of the skilled workforce. The opportunities in the construction trades are open to everybody. We need to talk about that, recognize it and promote it.”

An event like Future Building is necessary because the past two generations of students have been drilled that university is the only path to a career, says Evans.

“We have this perception of trades as not being for smart people, but that in fact is not true,” she says. “Skilled tradespeople are intelligent, professionally-trained workers. We need to elevate that profile. In the current market, a university graduate with a general arts degree, if they can find a job in their chosen field, should realistically expect a starting salary in the $40,000 to $50,000 range at best. They are unlikely to be above $50,000 to start. A first-year journeyperson coming out of trade school (depending on the particular trade) will likely earn between $60,000 and $70,000, and has the potential to earn a six-figure income within five years.”

To view the original article, visit http://www.exchangemagazine.com.

Repost: Kudumbasree’s masons all set to enter construction industry

Kudumbasree members undergo masonry training in Kochi.

Construction training for women happening in India!

--------------------------------------------------

M. P. PRAVEEN

On successfully creating a pool of women engineers and supervisors in a largely male-dominated construction sector, the Kudumbasree Mission in the district is all set to expand its presence in the sector by training women in allied activities.

The mission is now focused on training skilled masons, plumbers and electricians.

A 90-day training in masonry for the first batch of 30 women has been completed and the second batch of 25 women is set to complete training this month-end. Ten of those who completed training are undergoing internship while many among the rest are doing independent works.

As part of their practical training, Kudumbasree members constructed three houses at Panayikkulam near Aluva. The houses are pucca houses and could be sold by the agency concerned, a senior Kudumbasree official in the district told The Hindu.

An agency based in Ettumanoor was roped in to create the module of training and to execute it. The same agency has been entrusted with training plumbers and electricians.

The masons trained under the programme will be roped in for projects to be undertaken by the construction wing of Kudumbasree, thereby helping them gain more experience and get more works.

A pool of 37 engineers and supervisors trained by KITCO and split into three teams is now equipped to take up construction assignments.

The agreement for their first assignment, a project to construct houses for scheduled communities at Edakkattuvayal, is likely to be signed soon after the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April 10.

The training module for plumbers and electricians has already been prepared. Training will start only after the elections to avoid violation of the model code of conduct in force.

Applications are being sought from aspiring candidates through the neighbourhood Kudumbasree units. Attitude and aptitude for the job are paramount considerations.

The Kudumbasree Mission is looking to train a batch of 20 plumbers and 20 electricians initially,

The Ernakulam branch of the mission was the first to initiate training for engineers, supervisors, masons, plumbers and electricians. Now, Wayanad and Palakkad units are planning to launch training programmes in masonry.

The district unit of the mission has concluded training for supervisors and engineers in the construction sector for the time being.

The project was implemented with the aid of HUDCO and it would be resumed only if someone offered assistance, the official said.

Repost: Gov. Hassan talks of "Building Pathways" for women during building trades pre-apprenticeship info session

Word is getting out about the new pre-apprenticeship program, Building Pathways New Hampshire. Three dozen women attended Building Pathways New Hampshire's info session earlier this week and got to meet Governor Hassan, who spoke movingly about the power of doing non-traditional jobs, the critical value of construction to the state's economy, and the pride of doing challenging work.

Building Pathways New Hampshire's last info session will be held this Thursday, March 27, 6 - 7:30pm at 161 Londonderry Turnpike, Hooksett. Spread the word!

---------------------------------------------------

By RYAN O’CONNOR
Union Leader Correspondent

HOOKSETT — For years, Gov. Maggie Hassan built pathways for herself, which ultimately led to the top spot in New Hampshire’s state government.

Monday, the first-term governor was at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall in Hooksett, encouraging other Granite State females to reach their dreams through Building Pathways, a new, no-fee pre-apprenticeship program designed to bring local women into the high-skill, high-pay world of union construction careers.

“As only the second woman governor in New Hampshire history, I know a little bit about taking the non-traditional path,” Hassan told the room of about three dozen woman and several men.

“Knowing you have a skill for businesses and to people is really, really transforming,” said Hassan. “I happen to know each one of you has it in you, just as someone told me 14 years ago when someone told me ‘why don’t you run for the state Senate.’”

Jane Triboletta said she’s an outspoken supporter of Hassan due to the governor’s vision for women in New Hampshire. In addition, she said admitted she felt she should be paying Building Pathways for the “amazing opportunity.”

Gov. Maggie Hassan was one of several speakers at Monday night’s

Building Pathways informational meeting at the Plumbers

and Pipefitters Hall in Hooksett. (Ryan O’Connor Photo)

“I’m 41 years old and I have a 16-year-old, and I want the next 20 years of my life to count for something ... to build things or work with people that can teach me something that can never be taken away from me,” she said.

Hassan said many women already have the ability to develop the skills necessary to succeed in perceived men’s careers but, in many cases, limit themselves mentally.

“For those of you that are mothers, know that nothing is as hard as being a mother, so you’re all set there,” said Hassan. “But you need to understand that you can do this ... and the other thing you will find is that there are a number of great men to be there by your side to help you ... and you get to turn around and help others do the same thing, and we will all get stronger through your success.”

Building Pathways has another informational session scheduled for Match 27 at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall at 161 Londonderry Turnpike in Hooksett. Those interested in additional information may call 491-2406.

Visit http://www.unionleader.com to view the original article.

Repost: New Women's Bureau Director

President Obama appointed Latifa Lyles as the 17th director of the Women's Bureau, and she was officially sworn in on March 11. As director of the Women's Bureau, Lyles works to advance and improve policies and programs for women in the labor force. "The Women's Bureau has been working to level the playing field for more than 90 years," Lyles said. "It has been on the cutting edge of promoting policies that continue to help millions of working women, and I am excited to lead the agency during such a critical time."

View the USDOL newsletter to view the original article or learn more about Director Latifa Lyles.

Repost: Sisters of Philadelphia (video)

Great stories from UBC Sisters in Philly!


Sisters of Philadelphia from UBC Sisters in the Brotherhoo on Vimeo.

Repost: Sister Carpenters Build Your Future (video)

Great stories from women carpenters in UBC!


Sister Carpenters Build Your Future from UBC Sisters in the Brotherhoo on Vimeo.

Career Opportunity: Building Pathways New Hampshire pre-apprenticeship program

Building Pathways New Hampshire is looking for women who want to join the construction trades!


BPNH PSA-JB 03122014 from UBC Sisters in the Brotherhoo on Vimeo.

Repost: Building unions seek women

Great press on the new Building Pathways New Hampshire! Please spread the word to any individuals in NH interested in a career in the building trades.

------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, March 4, 2014

New Hampshire’s Building Trades Unions are looking for NH women who are seeking a good career with a future and who like working with their hands as well as their brain; who have a sense of adventure; and who like making good wages and benefits.

Building Pathways New Hampshire, a new pre-apprenticeship program designed to bring Granite State women into high-skill, high-wage construction careers is now seeking applicants for its upcoming training program slated to begin in mid-May. Building Pathways is a five week, hands-on education and training program in the building trades, with commitments to place qualified graduates into union apprenticeships.

Interested women MUST attend one of the four information sessions, which will be held on March 11, 13, 17, and 24 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall, 161 Londonderry Turnpike, Hookset.

Classes will start Monday, May 12, and end Friday, June 13, at the Carpenters Training Center in Manchester. Classes will be Monday – Friday, 7 am-3:30 pm, the typical construction day.

Students will get hands-on instruction in a number of trades including carpentry, electrical, sheetmetal, plumbing and more. They will earn their OSHA 10 and First Aid/CPR certificates. They will visit different training centers as well as an active construction site. The class is free of charge, but space is limited – only 13 women will be accepted.

“I’ve been a union carpenter for 25 years. I started my apprenticeship in 1989, and I have loved it. I’ve worked on heavy highway concrete jobs, and high-end finish jobs. I moved up the career ladder and worked for a contractor doing estimating, and now I work for the union. I’ve made good money, and have a real skill that no one can take from me. It’s been an incredibly rewarding career,” said Liz Skidmore, a long-time carpenter and now business manager of Carpenters Union Local 118.

“In most fields, women don’t get paid as much as men doing the same work. In the Granite State, women only get paid $0.77 to the dollar a man makes. I’m proud that in the union building trades, women get paid exactly the same, dollar for dollar, hour.”

Skidmore added, “Construction work isn’t for everyone – male or female; you have to want to work hard and work outside in all weather, but if you love the work, it’s a fantastic career. The health and retirement benefits are exceptional.”

The program is designed for female New Hampshire residents who are unemployed or underemployed, who are physically able to work in construction, are 18 or older, are authorized to work in the US, have a high school diploma or GED, are drug free and agree to drug testing, are on time, are interested in a construction career, can pass an eighth grade level English and math test and who have access to reliable transportation. Women of color and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

The program is sponsored by the NH AFL-CIO, the NH State Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Carpenters Union. It is supported by federal Workforce Investment Act funds, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and program partners.

Anyone interested in applying should contact Joe Gallagher at 603-948-8161 or at buildingpathwaysnh@gmail.com. Program information can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/buildingpathwaysnh

Visit http://www.fosters.com/ to view the original article.

Repost: Settlement Requires New Jersey Contractor, Plumbers’ Union to Recruit More Women

By Lorraine McCarthy

March 3 — A New Jersey mechanical contracting company agreed Feb. 24 to pay a total of $400,000 to settle allegations that it violated state law and regulations barring gender discrimination in employment by failing to employ female plumbers on jobs it handled, including many taxpayer-funded projects (In re Falasca Mech. Inc. and Plumbers & Pipefitters Local No. 332, N.J. Att'y Gen., No. EF14SB-61686, administrative consent order filed 2/24/14).

Under terms of the administrative consent order announced by the New Jersey Attorney General's office, Falasca Mechanical Inc. of Vineland, N.J., will make payments of $250,000 to the state and $150,000 to journeyman plumber Bette Feldeisen, a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union No. 322.

Under its ongoing labor agreement with Local 322, Falasca staffs its projects by requesting workers from the union.

The state alleged that Falasca repeatedly hired less experienced, less qualified male plumbers over Feldeisen and in general failed to make a good-faith effort to employ female plumbers while handling millions of dollars in public works jobs.

Local 322, which is a non-paying party to the same settlement, agreed to join with Falasca in a cooperative effort to increase female recruitment into the union and to increase training and employment opportunities for female plumbers during the next three apprenticeship cycles.

Preferential Hiring of Men Alleged
Feldeisen worked for Falasca on occasional jobs beginning in 2000 and continuously from December 2006 through January 2009, when she was laid off for economic reasons, according to the state's summary of the case.

When the company was hired for a 2009 hospital construction project that required work on medical gas systems, Feldeisen, who holds a certification in medical gas installation, was passed over by Falasca and the union in favor of male plumbers who had fewer years of experience and who weren't certified in medical gas installation, according to the state.

In administrative complaints filed against Falasca and the union in September 2010, Feldeisen alleged that she was passed over repeatedly when Falasca sought plumbers through Local 322 for private and public projects, despite her experience and prior employment relationship with the contractor.

Her complaints alleged gender discrimination in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and the state's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) rules for public contractors.

The state's investigation showed that “for a period of at least four years, encompassing over 150 public contracts, Falasca has not been in compliance with the EEO rules when accepting and carrying out public contracts,’’ according to the consent order.

Hiring Goals, Recruitment Efforts Mandated
Under terms of its agreement with the state, Falasca makes no admission of wrongdoing or liability.

In addition to the monetary terms of the settlement, Falasca agreed to work with Local 322 to comply with state hiring goals for female workers.

The company also agreed to keep records for at least three years of its efforts to reach hiring goals for women for every public contract it is awarded, including records of all individuals requested or referred from a union and all those interviewed or hired.

Falasca also will develop its own anti-discrimination and EEO rules compliance policy, distribute it to all unions with which the company has a labor agreement, and provide mandatory training on the policy to all project managers, foremen, hiring personnel and the Local 322 business manager.

The settlement includes reporting and monitoring provisions to ensure compliance.

The Local 322 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) has committed to its own outreach and recruitment efforts to attract more women to the apprenticeship program.

The union agreed to undertake outreach to students in at least three vocational-technical high schools during the next five academic years to provide information about the plumbing industry as a career and to encourage first- and second-year female students to pursue careers in the trade.

Representatives of Falasca and Local 322 could not be reached for comment.

To contact the reporter on this story: Lorraine McCarthy in Philadelphia at lmccarthy@bna.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Susan J. McGolrick at smcgolrick@bna.com