LA Harbor Commissioners Vote in Favor of a Department-Wide Construction Careers Policy That Will Create Thousands of New Good Middle Class Construction Careers

On Thursday, June 17, the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) Harbor Commissioners, President Cindy Miscikowski, Kaylynn L. Kim, and Joseph R. Radisich (ILWU Local 13) voted unanimously to approve the development of a Construction Careers Policy that will cover all new construction projects at the Port of Los Angeles over the next decade.

The Construction Careers Policy guarantees good jobs and careers in the construction industry by mandating a department-wide Project Labor Agreement (PLA) and by targeting local residents living in communities with high unemployment rates.  The department-wide PLA will ensure that all major public works projects at the Port will be completed on time, under budget, and with the highest job quality.  The Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE) released a report that estimated that 13,700 jobs would be created over the next several years at the Port.

This major victory is the direct result of two years of work by the LA County Federation of Labor, the Los Angeles & Orange County Building Trades Council, LAANE, and dozens of local harbor area community organizations, faith-based groups, and business allies.  This effort would not have been possible without the continued support of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilmember Janice Hahn.

LA County Federation of Labor affiliates, including members representing the Ironworkers, Laborers, IBEW, Painters and Allied Trades, Operating Engineers, Sheet Metal Workers, and the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, packed the hearing wearing “PLA Yes!” buttons, union shirts, and hardhats.  Apprentices Joshua Smith with Ironworkers Local 416, Robert Negrete with the Painters and Allied Trades District Council 36, and Alton Wilkerson with IBEW Local 11 spoke effectively about the impact the apprenticeship programs have had on their lives. 

Thursday’s vote authorizes POLA staff to enter into PLA negotiations with the LA/OC Building Trades Council immediately.  POLA staff intends to finalize negotiations and return to the Board of Harbor Commissioners for final ratification of a department-wide Project Labor Agreement and Construction Careers Policy by the end of the summer.



California School Employees Fight to Save Education, Student Services, and 2500 Jobs Tomorrow

After months of negotiations, the Los Angeles Unified School District rejected the California School Employees Association’s plan to save student services and jobs at our public schools. CSEA members are now facing a 50% layoff by the LAUSD, which could result in losing 2500 support staff.  CSEA needs you to turnout tomorrow to the LAUSD School Board Meeting at noon to protest the outrageous layoffs and fight for public education.

With questions, contact Jose Morales, Organizer, at 818-502-3855 or jmorales@csea.com

WHEN: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 12pm
WHERE:  LAUSD Headquarters, 333 S. Beaudry Ave., Downtown LA