Oakland jobs initiative could go national

Community leaders suggested a possible rollout of the scheme to build a Seaport Logistics Complex that will create hundreds of jobs and prioritise employing disadvantaged workers from nearby neighbourhoods.

“This agreement is part of the growing grassroots movement across the country to win locally and set in motion a wave of larger national change,” said Nikki Fortunato Bas, executive director of the Partnership for Working Families.

Distribution centre

The first building planned for the complex is a 440,000 sq ft distribution centre where locals would be given the first chance to apply for jobs, with emphasis on hiring disadvantaged workers.

Jobs will be divided between construction work and ongoing warehouse-type operations. Training to help develop the local labour pool will also be provided by the port.

The agreement includes living wages and benefits for workers; priority consideration for unemployed individuals, armed forces veterans, single parents, ex-offenders and foster care adults; and a ban on asking applicants about prior criminal offenses.

Community negotiation

Workforce development activists negotiated the agreement over 20 months with the port and developer CenterPoint Properties. The port called the community’s involvement unique, and said local representatives would help monitor implementation of the job policy.

“Community leaders, CenterPoint and the Port demonstrated how large-scale development deals can offer shared benefit to our neighboring community, empower local residents and strengthen our economy,” said the port’s social responsibility director Amy Tharpe. “The goal is to level the playing field and provide community members, regardless of perceived barriers, with priority access to jobs and opportunity.”