Economy

Workers and Legislators Unite to Help Low-Wage Contract Employees

THE AFRO — 32BJ – SEIU, a union which represents over 600 janitors and security guards that were furloughed and didn’t receive wages.

Published

8 years ago

February 13, 2019

Oakland Post

By George Kevin Jordan

A little over a month ago Faye Smith found herself in the Senate Office Building protesting and searching for Senator Mitch McConnell in order to impress upon him how the federal shutdown was impacting her life.

Now with the shutdown officially over, and another one looming, Smith is back with Lila Johnson another federal contract worker. Both are representatives of 32BJ – SEIU, a union which represents over 600 janitors and security guards that were furloughed and didn’t receive wages. Together they are at the Senate to support legislation that would provide back wages to low wage workers who are federally contracted during a shutdown.

According to the their summary, The Fair Compensation for Low-Wage Contractor Employees Act would, “compensate contractors for the costs of providing back pay to low-wage contractor service employees who have been furloughed or laid off during the shutdown. In addition, some contractors have forced workers to use their annual leave during the shutdown, so the bill would compensate contractors for restoring annual leave as well. For ease of administration, the bill builds on an existing process used by contractors to recoup other shutdown-related costs.”

The District’s Representative to Congress, Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) led the house bill along with Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and several other House Democrats.

The Senate bill is led by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) along with U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD.), Ben Cardin (D-MD.), Mark Warner (D-VA.), and Tim Kaine (D-VA.) and supported by mostly Democrats.

Officials said that the legislation would provide back pay for the 35-day federal shutdown that just past. Van Hollen said the hope is that legislation will be added onto the bill to keep the government open and that the legislation will carry the same protections for contractors that a recently passed bill did for federal workers.

“It would apply after any government shutdown,” Van Hollen said.

Some may remember Smith who was featured on several news outlets across the country when she spoke of her journey since the federal shutdown.

Smith works as a security guard for the Smithsonian at the Hirshhorn Museum. When the shutdown occurred she said she had been looking forward to the pay bump she was to receive after relocating from Stone Mountain, GA, to Washington D.C. She went from $12 an hour to $17.50, Smith said.

“I moved down from Georgia thinking I was gonna get the big dream, the money,” Smith said, adding she has a daughter and two grandchildren that live in the DMV area. She got transferred and was only two months into her new job when the shutdown happened.

“I had a panic attack, I was stressed out, I was traumatized, all of that,” Smith said.

Rent was due, and the bills loomed. Thankfully Smith’s story went viral. D.L. Hughley gave her $2,000. A GoFundMe account was set up in her name and she received over $11,000. Now she is paid up for four months. But the threat of another shutdown is still devastating.

Ms. Johnson had been a custodian with the Department of Agriculture for 21 years. Johnson makes around $20 per hour. And she retired from a previous job. But she cares for two of her great grandchildren. So when the furlough happened she had Christmas to worry about.

She found out about the government furlough while watching television. She had been through shutdowns before but she said, “I had no idea it was gonna be for 35 days.”

“I felt it the moment it came on because I didn’t have any money coming in,” Johnson said.

Smith and Johnson are both back at work,. Smith should receive a paycheck this week, while Johnson expects to be paid by the end of the month.

Both Smith and Johnson will be guests of Norton and Van Hollen respectively during the President’s State of the Union address.

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

“Stay Fly” Comes to CulturalDC’s Mobile Art Gallery

Don't Miss

PRESS ROOM: Harris, Stabenow, Peters, Lawrence Introduce Legislation to Award Aretha Franklin with Congressional Gold Medal

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Economy

Poll: Becerra Widens His Lead Over Hilton; Californians Split on Wealth Tax

A new Public Policy Institute of California poll shows Democrat Xavier Becerra leads Republican Steve Hilton by 22 points in California’s governor’s race, with 60% of likely voters supporting Becerra compared to 38% for Hilton. The September survey also reveals Californians are closely divided on a proposed one-time tax on billionaires, with 52% of likely voters in favor of Proposition 40. Affordability issues are a major factor for voters. Read more to learn about the poll’s additional findings on voter sentiment.

Published

9 hours ago

September 28, 2026

Post News Group

Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Democrat Xavier Becerra holds a 22-point lead over Republican Steve Hilton in California’s governor’s race, while voters remain closely divided over a proposed one-time tax on billionaires, according to a new Public Policy Institute of California poll.

The September PPIC survey found that 60% of likely voters support Becerra, compared with 38% for Hilton. His lead is actually narrower than it was in July, when he led Hilton 61% to 36%.

Becerra leads among independent voters, with 57% supporting him compared with 38% for Hilton. Party loyalty remains strong, with 93% of Democratic likely voters backing Becerra and 92% of Republicans supporting Hilton.

Hilton leads in the Central Valley, where 52% of likely voters support him compared with 46% for Becerra.

Affordability remains a major factor: 65% of likely voters say candidates’ plans to address cost-of-living issues are “very important” to their vote.

“Affordability continues to be top of mind for Californians when considering their choice for governor,” said Mark Baldassare, PPIC Statewide Survey director and Miller Chair in Public Policy.

The poll also found a narrow split over Proposition 40, a proposed one-time tax of up to 5% on taxpayers with assets exceeding $1 billion. Fifty-two percent of likely voters said they would vote yes, while 46% said they would vote no.

Support for the wealth tax varies sharply by party. Seventy-two percent of Democrats favor Proposition 40, compared with 46% of independents and 21% of Republicans.

Two competing measures also drew majority support. Fifty-one percent back Proposition 41, while 54% support Proposition 42, both of which could affect the wealth-tax proposal.

The findings come as Californians express broader frustration with the state’s political direction. Seventy-one percent of likely voters expect bad economic times in California over the next year.

“Californians are clearly grumpy and aren’t enamored with any particular political party or movement,” Baldassare said.

The survey interviewed 1,745 California adults, including 1,103 likely voters, from Sept. 4-10. The margin of error for likely voters is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.

Post News Group

Posts by Post News Group

Business

From Historic Memories to New Possibilities: Oakland Celebrates Coliseum 60

More than 75 people gathered at Youth UpRising in East Oakland on Friday, September 18, for Coliseum 60, an event marking six decades of sports, entertainment, employment, and community memories at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Complex. Held 60 years to the day after the Coliseum first opened, the celebration featured cultural performances and a mini-documentary highlighting its history. Speakers reflected on the venue’s significant role in the community and its future possibilities. Read more to learn about the individuals and stories honored during this special event.

Published

9 hours ago

September 27, 2026

Post News Group

Quixote Atkins of VillageGIVE moderates a panel discussion at the Coliseum 60 celebration at Youth UpRising featuring Keith Brown, a member of IATSE Local 107; author, historian and former Black Panther Party member Tareka Lewis; and African American Sports and Entertainment Group President Ray Bobbitt.

By Carla Thomas

More than 75 people gathered at Youth UpRising in East Oakland on Friday, Sept. 18, for Coliseum 60, a celebration honoring six decades of sports, entertainment, employment and community memories connected to the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Complex.

Held 60 years to the day after the Coliseum opened, the event carried the theme, “One Community. One Legacy. One Future. Forward Together.”

The celebration opened with the national anthem performed by sisters Anese Jade, Amina Benjamin and Zaza Benjamin. Diamano Coura West African Dance Company contributed African dance and drumming, bringing movement, rhythm and cultural expression to the program.

A mini documentary highlighted the Coliseum’s sports history and its broader role as an entertainment destination. Archival material recalled performances by Prince and Tina Turner, along with memorable games featuring the Warriors, Oakland A’s and Raiders.

“The Coliseum 60 is about much more than celebrating a building or looking back at 60 years of history,” said event organizer Quixote Atkins of VillageGIVE.

“It’s about the people who made that history possible: the families, workers, athletes, artists, community leaders, fans and generations who gathered there and created memories together.”

A panel exploring that history featured author, historian and former Black Panther Party member Tareka Lewis; stagehand and union representative Keith Brown; and Ray Bobbitt, president of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group AASEG. Lewis described her family as fourth-generation Bay Area pioneers.

“My family and Black families who arrived even earlier helped build the Bay Area, grew businesses and established culture here,” Lewis said. “This should be taught in the public schools.”

Lewis recalled Oakland’s influence on sports, music and literature, from the Raiders’ beginnings at Laney College to stars such as The Pointer Sisters and Rickey Henderson who attended Oakland public schools. She also advocated for school museums, historical timelines, entrepreneurship training and investments benefiting corridors such as Bancroft Avenue and High Street.

Keith Brown, a member of Local 107 of the International Alliance of Theater and Stage Employees (IATSE) who began working at the Coliseum in 2011, remembered the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the Ice Capades, baseball bat giveaways and Nelson Mandela’s 1990 appearance.

“The special events are amazing, but it’s the workers that make the memories real for everyone,” Brown said. “They make the magic happen at the Coliseum.”

The program recognized longtime workers, including beer-stand manager Robert Preston, who served for 40 years, and Kenyatta Gentry, who worked as a vendor for 24 years and used her earnings to purchase her first apartment. Union workers Jose Gonzales and Carmen Sandoval were also honored. Speakers emphasized that Coliseum employment provided generations of residents with union wages and benefits.

Dr. Denise Saddler, the superintendent of the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) was also honored. Saddler shared her family’s history of working at the Coliseum.

District 7 Oakland City Councilmember Ken Houston discussed the complex ownership arrangements involving the city, county and private interests.

“This was the most complex deal of its kind in the country,” Houston said.

Prior to moving from the East Coast, Alameda County Supervisor and Coliseum Joint Powers Authority Chair Nate Miley recalled learning about Oakland through its three professional sports teams. As an elected official and public servant, Miley fought hard to keep the Golden State Warriors, Oakland As, and the Raiders, but he is hopeful for the future.

“The story is not over for the Coliseum,” Miley said. “We’re entering a new chapter.”

Bobbitt said the departure of three teams had once seemed unimaginable, but he maintained that Oakland’s future remains bright.

“Oakland is a cultural superpower worldwide,” Bobbitt said. “We’re going to write the future where we participate and drive the redevelopment.”

Bobbitt highlighted AASEG’s four-year partnership with Castlemont High School’s architecture program, which engages students in reimagining and creating redevelopment concepts for the Coliseum property. “The youth will always move us forward. They are the future.”

In closing, Atkins said, “September 18 is the celebration, but what we build together afterward is the legacy.”

Post News Group

Posts by Post News Group

Books

Oakland Mayor Reads to Children at Bookout Block Party at Marcus Books Store

Booths lined the street with arts and crafts, and children participated in hands-on art projects. A large display of books was on display and each child chose his/her free book to take home. Food and snacks were available, and free water was encouraged to keep all hydrated.

Published

6 days ago

September 22, 2026

Post News Group

(L.to R.) Cherysse Calhoun and Blanche Richardson of Marcus Books join Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee with Indya McGuffin and Bean Tupou of Storyland Collective inside the store on Sept. 12. Courtesy photo.

By Barbara Bauer, Special to The Post

Floating bubbles greeted families on arrival at the Bookout Block Party held on Sat. Sept. 12 at 39th and MLK Blvd. in Oakland.

Sponsored by Marcus Books and Storyland Collective, a wonderland of activity for children stretched to Longfellow School while live music filled the air, courtesy of KWC Complex Jazz Group.

A large area of turf was filled with huge bean bags for jumping, rolling, and sitting to listen as families crowded close to listen to Oakland Mayor Barbara Mayor Barbara Lee read a book out loud.

Of the numerous booths present were, “Claim Your Scholarship,” a program for Oakland Public School students and “VOLUNTEER NOW,” a program encouraging volunteers to help boost reading proficiency. Individuals sold their art and products. Free gifts were at many tables and a raffle was held.

The event with Marcus books culminated a summer-long program organized by Storyland Collective, a literacy arts organization bringing children’s ‘storytime,’ local authors, and art activities to Bay Area neighborhoods. Marcus Books is the oldest, independent Black-owned book store in the U.S., featuring books by and about Black people here and abroad.