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.

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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.