Employment Advisory Committee Meetings
EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
OCTOBER 4, 2001
Members Present
Commissioner Larry Lee, Leo Chyi, Jerry Jones, Guillermo Romero, Norma Tecson, Stan Warren, and Toni Wilson
Members Absent
Commissioner Wilfred Hsu, Oscar De La Torre, Aumijo Gomes, Greg Marutani
Members Excused
Judy Starbuck Sorro and Frank Tastevin
Staff Present
Mary Gin Starkweather and Mary Tramil
Guest
Don Hesse, Administrator, Mayor's Office of Economic Development (MOED)
Call to Order/Roll Call
The meeting began with a moment of silence for the victims of September 11 and was called to order by Commissioner Larry Lee at 1:30pm.
Approval of Agenda
The Agenda was unanimously adopted.
Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of September 6, 2001 were unanimously adopted.
New Business
Discussion Item No. 1- Update/Presentation on First Source Hiring
Don Hesse, Administrator of the First Source Hiring Program of the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, provided Committee members with a pamphlet of "Frequently Asked Questions" to accompany his presentation. The First Source Hiring program provides opportunities for individuals who are moving off of public assistance to be hired in entry level positions by employers/contractors doing business with the City.
The program provides real opportunities and differs from other programs in that it applies not only to City contracts, but to almost any private, commercial development over 50,000 square feet.
Companies have expressed ongoing interest with the program despite this year's economic slowdown and fifty persons have been successfully placed in the last year. The placements have been mostly through the Mayor's Office of Community Development, the Department of Human Services and Port contracts (as well as MUNI in the near future) with the assistance of eight referral agencies.
Mr. Hesse will return with an update in four to six months.
Discussion Item No. 2 - Proposal for an Outreach Workshop of Community Based Organizations (CBO) services
The idea of a workshop was introduced in the hopes of familiarizing contractors with the services and hiring resources provided by Community Based Organizations. Such a collaboration would also allow CBOs to meet and learn more about other CBOs.
This item will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
Old Business
Discussion Item No. 1 - Update on Elevator Constructors Apprenticeship Program
Mary Tramil, HRC Representative, explained that the HRC met with elevator contractors (several of whom were working on the City's Public Works jobs) to discuss how to best assist women elevator and construction trade workers who for years received inconsistent work and/or had problems getting into such trades. Discrimination suits by women also caught the attention of the State of California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS.) The idea for an apprenticeship program for the elevator trades came about as a result of that meeting. International unions could not agree to sign until further negotiations; however, independent local unions have agreed to sign the apprenticeship program.
Ms. Tramil continues to be in contact with DAS consultants and a state approved curriculum is yet to be agreed upon. An agreement package submitted by Local 8 and the Los Angeles Local was rejected by DAS for not specifying the CAL Plan-the plan explaining how women and minorities will and where be recruited. DAS is hopeful that all unions and agencies involved will sign an agreement in early 2002.
Ms Tramil will update the full Commission when the agreements have been fully executed.
Discussion Item No. 2 - "Good Faith Efforts Standards for Employers"
The task force meeting scheduled for September 11, 2001 was cancelled due to the tragedy.
Members expressed concern about drafting legal language, other than what is already in the HRC programs. The item was tabled.
Public Comment
None
Announcements
Committee Member Tecson mentioned she would make a decision within 90 days whether or not to move to the Philippines to accept a new job.
The committee members requested that staff invite HRC Representative, Ed Campos, to discuss Diversity in Employment in Department of Public Works contracts.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30pm.
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, December 6, 2001
1:30pm to 3:30pm
25 Van Ness Avenue, 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102