Oakland

Opinion: Brooks’ Demand for Local Hiring of Blacks Results in Building Trades’ Attack Ads

Published

7 years ago

October 12, 2018

In a recent news article, the secretary-treasurer of the local Building Trades Council asserted that racism is no longer a problem within the construction unions. He acknowledged that the construction trades have a history of excluding Black workers, but he said that is over.

Unfortunately, the evidence indicates a different reality, and there is no way for Andreas Cluver of the Building Trades Council to support his point, since the organizations he represents refuse to reveal their membership by ethnicity.

However, we do know for sure that on city-funded construction projects in the City of Oakland, Black workers get only 9 percent of the work, in spite of the fact that they make up 25 percent of the population (See records of the Oakland Office of Contract Compliance). And we know from national statistics that African-Americans are 12.3 percent of the U.S. population and only 6 percent of those employed in construction.

One of few councilmembers who has consistently protested discrimination against Black workers in construction, cannabis and other arenas important to the Black community is Desley Brooks.

Instead of taking the issues Brooks raises as an opportunity for discussion and change, several of the organizations Mr. Cluver represents are attempting to unseat her using an “Independent Expenditure Committee.”

The electricians union has contributed $10,000 to the expenditure committee. Data use reports that nationally only 2 percent of electricians are women and only 6 percent are Black.

Interestingly, supporters of Mayor Libby Schaff, whose gentrification and housing policies have also been opposed by Brooks, is contributing to the same “Independent Expenditure Committee” and so is the locally-based corporate-funded charter organization.

The building trades have started demanding recently that they get virtually all the work on city-funded construction projects, even if it means that Black workers will continue to be less employed, by virtue of their underrepresentation in the construction unions.

CM Brooks is one of few who has had the courage to ask questions about these demands.
The national unemployment rate in March 2018 was 7.2 percent for African-Americans and 3.3 percent for whites. These numbers fluctuate, but the 2 to 1 ratio between Black and white unemployment has remained the same for decades.

And a recent national meta-analysis indicates that there has been no decrease in job discrimination against African-Americans over the last 25 years. (See Quillian, Pager, Hexel, and Mitboen 2017).

Jobs in construction offer relatively high wages. Unlike many manufacturing jobs, most of the labor cannot be exported to lower-wage states or countries. It is considered a growth industry by the Department of Labor and is therefore an important industry for a group which experiences high unemployment.

This could be an historic moment, given that unemployment is relatively low for whites. The Building Trades could more easily develop an ethic of racial solidarity.

These unions could support racially progressive elected officials. They could take the structural steps necessary to welcome large number of Black workers into their ranks and facilitate their speedy achievement of journey person status.

This would require locating apprenticeship programs that are accessible to Oakland residents in this community, finally revealing their numbers by ethnicity and joining with all stakeholders to work together to take other pro-active steps.

Such steps of solidarity would help the whole labor movement and the general position of working-class people in the Bay Area.

Kitty Kelly Epstein, PhD is a professor of education and urban studies.

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Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

Published

1 week ago

March 22, 2026

Oakland Post

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Advice

Financial Wellness and Mental Health: Managing Money Stress in College 

While everyone’s financial situation is unique, several common sources of stress have the potential to strain your financial health. These include financial and economic uncertainty, existing debts, unexpected expenses, and mental or physical health changes. Financial stress may differ from situation to situation, but understanding the factors contributing to yours may help you begin to craft a plan for your unique circumstances.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

As a college student, managing financial responsibilities can be stressful.

If you’ve found yourself staying up late thinking about your finances or just feeling anxious overall about your financial future, you’re not alone. In one survey, 78% of college students who reported financial stress had negative impacts on their mental health, and 59% considered dropping out. While finances can impact overall stress, taking steps to manage your finances can support your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

When it comes to money, the sources of stress may look different for each student, but identifying the underlying causes and setting goals accordingly may help you feel more confident about your financial future.

Consider these strategies to help improve your financial wellness and reduce stress.

Understand what causes financial stress

2. Determine your financial priorities

Start by reflecting on your financial priorities. For students this often includes paying for school or paying off student loans, studying abroad, saving for spring break, building an emergency fund, paying down credit card debt or buying a car. Name the milestones that are most important to you, and plan accordingly.

3. Create a plan and stick to it

While setting actionable goals starts you on the journey to better financial health, it’s essential to craft a plan to follow through. Identifying and committing to a savings plan may give you a greater sense of control over your finances, which may help reduce your stress. Creating and sticking to a budget allows you to better track where your money is going so you may spend less and save more.

4. Pay down debt

Many students have some form of debt and want to make progress toward reducing their debt obligations. One option is the debt avalanche method, which focuses on paying off your debt with the highest interest rate first, then moving on to the debt with the next-highest interest rate. Another is the debt snowball method, which builds momentum by paying off your smallest debt balance, and then working your way up to the largest amounts.

5. Build your financial resilience

Some financial stress may be inevitable, but building financial resilience may allow you to overcome obstacles more easily. The more you learn about managing your money, for instance, the more prepared you’ll feel if the unexpected happens. Growing your emergency savings also may increase resilience since you’ll be more financially prepared to cover unexpected expenses or pay your living expenses.

6. Seek help and support

Many colleges have resources to help students experiencing financial stress, like financial literacy courses or funds that provide some assistance for students in need. Talk to your admissions counselor or advisor about your concerns, and they can direct you to sources of support. Your school’s counseling center can also be a great resource for mental health assistance if you’re struggling with financial stress.

The bottom line

Financial stress can affect college students’ health and wellbeing, but it doesn’t have to derail your dreams. Setting smart financial goals and developing simple plans to achieve them may help ease your stress. Revisit and adjust your plan as needed to ensure it continues to work for you, and seek additional support on campus as needed to help keep you on track.

 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC