Res. No. 276

Resolution calling on the City of New York to create an emergency transitional jobs program targeted at increasing job opportunities and addressing structural underemployment.

By Council Members Seabrook, Baez, Barron, Clarke, Dilan, Foster, Gerson, Gonzalez, James, Martinez, McMahon, Palma, Sanders, Stewart, Vann and Jackson

Whereas, According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate in February 2004 remained at 5.6%; and

Whereas, In January 2004, seasonally adjusted unemployment rose to 6.5% in New York State and to 8.4% in New York City; and

Whereas, According to the Comptroller’s office, the seasonally adjusted number of unemployed New Yorkers increased by 13,400 in January 2004; and

Whereas, New York City has lost 139,500 seasonally adjusted jobs since September 11, 2001; and

Whereas, In addition to unemployment, underemployment chronically affects low-income New Yorkers; and

Whereas, In the aftermath of September 11, The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (“LMDC”) was created and funded by a 2.7 billion dollar Community Development Block Grant to help rebuild and revitalize Lower Manhattan; and

                     Whereas, Reports show that the LMDC has not used $1 billion in grant funding; and

                     Whereas, Use of these uncommitted funds for emergency transitional job programs could provide publicly subsidized seasonal employment and skill building opportunities for New Yorkers who face continued hardship in the job market; and

                     Whereas, The Labor Community Advocacy Network to Rebuild New York has proposed sector groups, transitional job programs, and a “Liberty Jobs” plan that would ensure quality employment for approximately 60,000 New Yorkers; and

                     Whereas, According to the Community Service Society of New York, the New York State Department of Labor, through the use of Workforce Investment Act funding, could potentially create a pilot transitional job program to address underemployment in New York City; and

                     Whereas, Programs that teach serviceable skills would allow more New Yorkers to gain meaningful employment and contribute to the ongoing revitalization of Lower Manhattan and New York City; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the New York City Council calls upon the City of New York to create an emergency transitional jobs program targeted at increasing job opportunities and addressing structural underemployment.

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