Cities and Jobs:Local Policies for Improving Job Quality and

Access

Laura Dresser

____________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________

Cities and Jobs: Floors and Standards

1. 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

____________________________________________________

Cities and Jobs: Proprietary Interest

2. 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

____________________________________________________

Cities and Jobs: Enforcement

3. 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)

____________________________________________________

Cities and Jobs: Agencies, EOE,Immigrants

4. Regulate Domestic Worker Placement Agencies– more information to workers and employers on

rights and rules – require job description/conditions statements

from employers5. Implement EOE and Disseminate Info on Good

Jobs– City jobs rules– Support to getting into trades

6. Curb Employer’s Anti-Immigrant Practices– No match letters policy and education– Avoid participation in E-verify

____________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________________