On Tuesday, the Seattle City Council unanimously approved a Priority Hire legislation, which, according to supporters, will create pathways to construction-related careers for low-income people in Seattle and King County.
This effort was spearheaded by a community-driven Targeted Local Hire coalition that leveraged the capacity, experience and expertise of 43 organizations to raise awareness and to provide opportunities for low-income residents to have access to jobs and job training opportunities on city-funded construction projects.
“This priority hire ordinance is an important victory for unemployed and underemployed residents in the City of Seattle and King County,” said Rich Stolz, Executive Director of ONeAmerica.
Communities of color, unions and youth seeking careers in construction trades packed the council meeting, many wearing green hard hats and holding “I love community jobs” signs. In addition to creating more jobs for local residents that can solve Seattle’s predicted construction worker shortage, Priority Hire will help reduce carbon pollution from transportation by making it possible for more people find jobs closer to home.
“This legislation has been a team effort all the way through,” said Councilmember Sally J. Clark, Chair of the Committee on Human Services, Housing Affordability and Economic Resiliency and sponsor of the bill. “The community of social justice advocates has been invaluable in getting us this far. The impact of this bill for people in Seattle will be far-reaching and lasting as more people find the training and careers to change their lives.”
Priority Hire requires all City-funded construction projects over $5 million to hire at least 20 percent of their workers from economically distressed areas in Seattle and King County. The ordinance also allows for one-in-five workers to be an apprentice, increasing training opportunities and addressing the projected shortage of skilled construction workers.
“This ordinance not only helps someone land a family-wage job, it also opens the door to training and support that can launch a construction career,” said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray.
“Using our local tax dollars to put people from communities in our city with higher unemployment to work just makes good sense,” said Councilmember Mike O’Brien, co-sponsor of the legislation. “I am proud of the step we are taking today, and I also want to acknowledge the incredible community organizing that began years ago to bring this bill to fruition.”
In 2012 the City’s public works budget was approximately $220 million, which generated about 446 full-time jobs in construction. A review of 33 City funded projects between 2009-2013 found that 6 percent of the workforce lived in Seattle.
“This is a landmark social justice bill to keep jobs in Seattle and creating opportunities and pathways to success for economically disadvantaged groups,” said Councilmember Bruce Harrell.
The City will form an advisory committee to implement Priority Hire beginning this year.
