Res. No. 950
Resolution calling upon the appropriate Committee of the Council of the City of New York to hold hearings on the findings announced in the 2005 Report of Blacks In Government showing that minorities are underrepresented in management positions within the municipal workforce.
By Council Members Foster, Baez, Barron, Clarke, Comrie, Fidler, Gonzalez, Jackson, James, Palma, Sanders Jr., Seabrook and Stewart
Whereas, The good government group known as Blacks In Government issued a report of its findings of a study of the city’s municipal workforce, indicating that African-Americans, Latinos, and Asians are substantially underrepresented at the senior and executive level; and
Whereas, The report states that minorities represent more than 60% of the city’s population, and approximately 57% of the city’s municipal workforce; and
Whereas, Despite their substantial presence in New York City, minorities comprise a mere 19% of senior and executive members of the municipal workforce; and
Whereas, Whites represent about 40% of the workforce, yet occupy nearly 80% of all agency executive and senior personnel positions; and
Whereas, Disparities within the senior ranks of the workforce inevitably lead to salary disparities, as well; and
Whereas, Eighty-five percent of all municipal employees earning over $85,000 a year are White; and
Whereas, Over the last decade there has been virtually no improvement in the number of African-Americans in senior or executive positions; and
Whereas, During that same period Whites improved their representation in the senior ranks from 70% to 79%; and
Whereas, The United States Department of Justice has opened an investigation of the hiring practices in at least one city agency; and
Whereas, There may be multiple reasons for hiring disparities, including overt racism, as well as societal and institutional factors; and
Whereas, It is incumbent upon any just government that it represent and address the needs of all members of society; and
Whereas, Exclusion of any group from governmental policy and decision-making undermines the democratic process; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the appropriate Committee of the Council of the City of New York hold hearings on the findings announced in the 2005 Report of Blacks In Government showing that minorities are underrepresented in senior and executive positions within the municipal workforce.
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