|
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2005 -- Cong. Charles Rangel said today that he supported the goal of the Mayor's Commission on Construction Jobs to provide employment for unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers.
"I have strongly advocated for a special effort to create jobs for New Yorkers, so I applaud the establishment of a commission which will be mandated to ensure that unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers of all races are hired for new jobs in the construction field," Congressman Rangel said.
With unemployment rates for minority young men running as high as 50 percent, Congressman Rangel had urged Mayor Bloomberg to create a program that would focus on employment in the construction field, given the expected boom in jobs resulting from major construction projects in the next two decades.
Congressman Rangel said the Commission will play a "major role" in coordinating and linking construction jobs and providing job-training, especially for women, minorities and returning veterans. He urged establishment of a similar program for jobs outside the construction industry.
"The Commission will set goals and develop strategies for ensuring that all New Yorkers, especially members of minorities groups, women, returning veterans and new high school graduates, are well prepared to gain membership in the trade unions and thus access to good construction jobs and benefits in both the private and public sectors," Congressman Rangel said.
The 34-member Commission, co-chaired by Deputy Mayors Doctoroff and Walcott, consists of private developers, contractors, union leaders, advocacy groups, the City Controller, heads of city agencies, plus minority and women-owned business leaders.
### |
