Public
Economic and Workforce Development Systems
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The New York State AFL-CIO successfully launched the New York State AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute with more than $2 million of state funds. The Institute consists of six regional Workforce Development Centers established in conjunction with the emerging Regional Labor Federations that are integral to the State AFL-CIO’s New Alliance effort. The Centers provide incumbent worker training to affiliate members. Each is equipped with state-of-the-art video conferencing technology. We expect significant additional funding this year to expand the existing centers and establish new ones. We are also coordinating efforts to bring together representatives the state Labor Department, Economic Development Department, the State University of New York and Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations to develop a coordinated approach to fostering workforce development as the key state economic development strategy. Paul Cole, Secretary-Treasurer
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Everyone wants to be in favor of the Living Wage now. When we started no one even knew what it was. Even the business oriented decision makers find a way to sound like they’re in favor of it now.We look forward to the day when economic development dollars in this city go only to responsible employers who pay a decent wage and the day when communities and workers have a seat at the table to discuss what gets built. Roxane Auer |
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In the last year, Good Jobs First has given more than 50 training presentations to help unions and their allies both block the low road and pave the high road with resources such “The Policy Shift to Good Jobs,” and “Talking to Union Leaders About Smart Growth.” In 2001, we will publish “No More Secret Candy Store: A Grassroots Guide to Investigating Development Subsidies” and offer training workshops on researching subsidy programs. We will also publish a national study on development subsidies granted to private prisons, and a national survey on how anti-poverty intentions have been perverted in many development programs. Greg LeRoy |
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PolicyLink has begun advancing a new paradigm for economic development and planning at the local, regional and national level, termed equitable development. In partnership with a diverse array of organizations, PolicyLink has developed equitable development models that both attract new investment to inner-city communities and bring greater accountability to regional public and private investments. PolicyLink will use the equitable development approach to help communities understand how public policy and private practice impact their lives; support community-led efforts to transform the linked set of public policies and private practices in a way that promotes equity; and, ensure that community representatives have the agency to have a voice in all decisions that are impacting their communities. Robert Phillips |