Oakland

Opinion: Oakland Should Reject Jobs Policies that Increase Discrimination

Published

6 years ago

January 8, 2018

Oakland Post

By Oakland Community Leaders

There is a 13-to-1 racial wealth gap between the median White family and the median Black family in the U.S.

You can see one of the causes if you walk by any construction site and count up the number of Black workers you can find. One study listing the 33 whitest jobs in America found a large portion of them to be in the construction industry.

Ninety percent or more of electricians, painters, construction supervisors, tool and die makers, cement masons and others are white, according to a 2013 article in The Atlantic magazine.

Another national study found that minority-owned firms received only 57 cents for every dollar they would be expected to receive based on their availability in government contracting.

Women-owned firms obtained only 29 percent of the dollars they would be expected to receive.

In Oakland, African-American workers obtain 5 percent of the work on most city-funded construction projects, in spite of being 27 percent of the population.

The only project where the numbers are slightly better required a year-long battle by community groups to establish slightly more supportive hiring provisions, and even then some of the agreed-upon provisions were eliminated in the Project Labor Agreement negotiations when community groups were not allowed to be present.

Yet, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Alameda County has requested the City of Oakland (City) adopt a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) on projects funded by the Measure BB Transportation and Housing Bond Measure (Bond) approved by residents of Oakland for $346 million.

If and when the construction unions eliminate these racial disparities such a PLA might be reasonable. In the meantime, it would only reinforce discrimination, and mean that once again Black workers are paying heavy taxes for the building of projects where they are not allowed to work, and minority and women-owned companies are underrepresented.

The U.S. needs a stronger labor movement, and it can only be strong and united when individual unions purposefully and aggressively take on discrimination within their industries. The ILWU has a history of such action.

More recently, the hotel workers’ union has successfully demanded that hotels show progress in integrating their work force. Black workers have a higher percentage of unionization than any other ethnic group in the U.S., when they have the opportunity to join the unions in their industry.

The Building Trades should withdraw its request and work with creativity and enthusiasm on a set of policies that would reduce the deeply discriminatory situation for women and racially underrepresented workers and businesses in Oakland.

Now is the time, when jobs are a bit more plentiful and divisive competition is especially unwarranted. Among the needed steps:

acknowledge the history of unfairness that has led to Black workers having less than 10 percent of the jobs on such projects as the 880 freeway replacement project;
release figures on union membership by ethnicity, and release figures on the utilization of African-American journeymen;
remove job requirements that serve as barriers, and provide support services to increase the numbers of African-American journeymen and apprentices;
expand local apprenticeships in targeted zip codes and increase the percent of local Oakland hiring among apprentices;
engage organizations that represent people of color and women in a massive campaign to integrate the industry;
move apprenticeship programs to locations that are accessible to low-income urban residents;
repudiate the arguments that hold up the precious banner of the labor movement in support of discriminatory policies;
support Councilmember Desley Brooks’ ordiance to provide city funding for contruction job training, the Cypress Mandela Training Program and Citywide Job Centers.

In the meantime, it is the responsibility of the City of Oakland and its elected representatives to implement its own jobs policies that protect both labor and working conditions and the economic and job needs of Black, Latino, Asian, indigenous and female communities.

No policy which could potentially have a negative impact on Black workers and businesses should even be introduced for discussion until the disparity study the Council mandated years ago is finally completed and acted upon.

Any other course of action enhances both discrimination and gentrification.

Submitted by:
Kitty Kelly Epstein, PhD, Professor of Education and Urban Affairs; member of OaklandWORKS, author of “Organizing to Change a City”;
(2012)Margaret Gordon, Co-Director, West Oaklamd Environmental Indicators Project, former Port Commissioner;
Pastor Anthony L. Jenkins Sr., Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church;
Brian Beveridge, Co-Director West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, OaklandWORKS Alliance;
Robyn Hodges, OaklandWORKS Alliance;
Paul Cobb, Publisher, Post News Group

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Related Topics:economics jobs Oakland Opinion OUSD

Up Next

Would Closing Schools in Oakland Save Money or Raise Academic Achievement?

Don't Miss

Interfaith Council Proposes Faith-Based Solution to Homelessness

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Bay Area

BART to Retire Legacy Trains in Public Ceremony April 20

Published

4 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

The Richmond Standard

Bay Area Rapid Transit’s final dispatch of legacy trains will take place on Saturday, April 20, and will be accompanied by a retirement ceremony and a final legacy ride.

At 1 p.m., the public is invited to celebrate the last run of BART’s legacy trains during a ceremony that will take place in the free area of the plaza at MacArthur Station in Oakland.

Following the ceremony, the public is invited to board a legacy train and ride from MacArthur to Fremont Station, mirroring the initial service BART provided when it opened Sept. 11, 1972.

“It’s a 45-minute trip that travels along approximately 24 miles of the original section of tracks,” BART officials said.

Multiple legacy trains will run for the event, and all will make station stops and may turn around at Bay Fair depending on the number of attendees waiting to ride. Regular fares will apply.

“These train cars are part of the history of the Bay Area,” said Bob Powers, BART general manager. “While we are excited to modernize the system, we recognize the profound cultural importance of these cars, and we want to celebrate their rich history and give them a proper send off.”

BART is now running train cars from its Fleet of the Future project.

Those nostalgic for the older trains will be able to view three of them soon at Western Railway Museum in Suisun City.

A handful of other legacy cars will be transferred to be repurposed for short-term rentals, entertainment venues, and training facilities, according to BART. Most of the legacy cars have been recycled.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Bay Area

Mind, Body, and Spiritual Well-Being for Women Addressed in NAACP Forum in Oakland

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is proud to announce the upcoming “Total You – Mind, Body, and Spirit Women’s Health Forum” scheduled for April 27 at Acts Full Gospel Church. Running from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1034 66th Ave., this forum aims to provide an empowering platform for women to engage in discussions, gain knowledge, and access resources pertaining to their health and well-being.

Published

4 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

The panel will address various aspects of women’s health, including physical, mental and emotional well-being and relationships. iStock photo by Jorge Elizaquibel.

Special to The Post

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is proud to announce the upcoming “Total You – Mind, Body, and Spirit Women’s Health Forum” scheduled for April 27 at Acts Full Gospel Church.

Running from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1034 66^th Ave., this forum aims to provide an empowering platform for women to engage in discussions, gain knowledge, and access resources pertaining to their health and well-being.

The forum will feature renowned experts, healthcare professionals, and advocates from Genentech, John Muir Health, Sutter Health of The East Bay, Kaiser Permanente, and the Alameda County Public Health Department.

Our expert panel will address various aspects of women’s health, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and healthy relationships. The forum will encompass a wide range of topics such as breast cancer, menopause, reproductive health, nutrition, mental health awareness, preventive care, and much more.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend informative sessions, interactive workshops, and panel discussions led by experts in their respective fields. Additionally, there will be wellness activities, screenings, and informational booths offering valuable resources and support.

This forum is open to women of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging inclusivity and diversity in the conversation surrounding women’s health. Whether you’re seeking information for yourself, a loved one, or simply looking to connect with other women, this event promises to be enlightening and empowering.

For more information and to register for the Total You Women’s Health Forum, please visit https://www.naacpoakland.org/ or contact Dr. Delores Thompson. WIN chairwoman at (510) 328-3638.

The Women In The NAACP Oakland Branch is dedicated to empowering women, and young teen girls. We look forward to your participation in this important event.

To register, go to https://www.naacpoakland.org/events/the-total-you-womens-health-forum

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Community

Oakland WNBA Player to be Inducted Into Hall of Fame

The Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame (MESHOF) announced that it will induct Dr. Alexis Gray-Lawson, a former WNBA player and Oakland Technical High School graduate at its inaugural Curt Flood Platinum Award Ceremony in February. Gray-Lawson’s Platinum Award is part of the Hall of Fame’s 24th Annual Bay Area induction and award ceremony, where four other retired professional athletes will be honored.

Published

4 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

Photo Courtesy of Alexis Gray Lawson.

By Post staff

The Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame (MESHOF) announced that it will induct Dr. Alexis Gray-Lawson, a former WNBA player and Oakland Technical High School graduate at its inaugural Curt Flood Platinum Award Ceremony in February.

Gray-Lawson’s Platinum Award is part of the Hall of Fame’s 24th Annual Bay Area induction and award ceremony, where four other retired professional athletes will be honored.

The banquet and ceremony will be held from 5:45 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the George P. Scotlan Convention Center at Oakland’s Marriott Civic Center Hotel.

“I am truly honored to receive this incredible nomination,” said Dr. Alexis Gray-Lawson, who, along with college teammate Devanei Hampton, lead Oakland Tech to its second consecutive state title in 2005. “It took a village to raise me and get me here, and I truly am excited to continue the legacy.”

Gray-Lawson, a “second team” Parade All-American and an All-State honoree, as a senior in ’05, was chosen for the California Interscholastic Federation sportsmanship award. She only lost one game throughout her four-year career in high school. Her jersey was retired at Oakland Tech and placed in the National High School Hall of Fame as a four-time All-City recipient, averaging 17.2 points per game during her career.

Gray-Lawson received scholarships in volleyball, softball, and basketball before deciding to travel up College Avenue to the University of California, Berkeley. There, she played in more basketball games (143) than any other player in Golden Bears’ history. She finished her career as the Bears all-time 3-point leader (211), and she is ranked third in scoring with 1,982 points.

An All-Pac 10 and honorable mention All-American in 2010, Gray-Lawson also was the top player at 5’8” or under for the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award. Later that year, she was a third-round pick of the Washington Mystics in 2010 and played with the Phoenix Mercury of the Women’s National Basketball Association in 2011 and 2012. She also played professionally overseas in Turkey and Israel.

Other inductees are Clifford Ray (Basketball); Lee Lacy (Baseball); Spencer Haywood (Basketball); and Mohinder Singh Gil (Track & Field).

Organizers say the event promises to be a “historic and celebratory evening,” and iconic personalities from across the professional sports industry and its various disciplines will attend.

The no-host cocktail hour begins at 5:45 p.m.; dinner at 6:45 p.m.; and the ceremony at 7:45 p.m. All times are prompt. General tickets are $250.00; Seniors (65 and older) $150.00, and students $50. This includes dinner and the ceremony. Tables of 10 are available as well, and early purchase is recommended.

MESHOF is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring athletes from all corners of the globe who have made significant contributions to the world of sports and broadening the public’s understanding of the contributions people of color have made to professional sports; and to provide educational life skills and mentorship opportunities for deserving youth. Proceeds will help maintain the City of Oakland’s Curt Flood Field, Oakland Parks & Recreation, and MESHOF’s after school and mental health initiatives.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.multiethnicsportshof.com. For additional information, please contact: Arif Khatlib @ afrosportshall@aol.com or India Alston @ india@beamcreativehouse.com