Cities and Jobs: Local Policies for Improving Job Quality and Access Laura Dresser

1. Cities and Jobs:Local Policies for Improving Job Quality and AccessLaura Dresser ____________________________________________________

2. Why Job Quality Matters ____________________________________________________ • Too many low-wage workers: 2 out of every 5 make LT $12 (2007) • Bad jobs come in bad packages (hours and benefits especially important) • Bad jobs concentrated on women, people of color, those without 4 year college degrees • Bad jobs trap people into bad careers

3. Cities and Jobs: Floors and Standards ____________________________________________________ • Use regulatory power to establish wage floors and other employment standards • Citywide min wages (raise wages, expand coverage, improve enforcement) • Targeted min wages (i.e. Marina Zone, big box ordinance) • Paid sick leave/health care costs • Criminal penalties for non-payment of wages • All depends on the state • Yes NM, MD, CA, • No CO, FL, LA, OR, TX, UT, SC, WI. • ? others

4. Cities and Jobs: Proprietary Interest ____________________________________________________ • Use proprietary interest as a basis for policy • Living wage laws (wage and other employment stds) • Workers’ right to organize • neutrality/card check • right of first refusal when contracts change • Securing opportunities • mandate equal op policies • residency hiring goals • community referral sources • CBA first source

5. Cities and Jobs: Enforcement ____________________________________________________ • Deploy resources to enforce federal and state employment standards • Educate workers about rights • Educate employers about responsibilities • Support CBOs and workers centers to educate workers and firms • Increase costs of violations (revoking business licenses)

6. Cities and Jobs: Agencies, EOE,Immigrants ____________________________________________________ • Regulate Domestic Worker Placement Agencies • more information to workers and employers on rights and rules • require job description/conditions statements from employers • Implement EOE and Disseminate Info on Good Jobs • City jobs rules • Support to getting into trades • Curb Employer’s Anti-Immigrant Practices • No match letters policy and education • Avoid participation in E-verify

7. Cities and Jobs ____________________________________________________ • Cities can play an important role in improving working conditions in the U.S. • For many city ordinances and resolutions and other resources from the report, see www.cows.org/citiesandjobs