CM James Comments On Court Decision Regarding Council’s Prevailing Wage Bill

**For Immediate Release**
August 6, 2013

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

Council Member James Comments On Court Decision Regarding Council’s Prevailing Wage Bill
Manhattan Supreme Court Struck Down Bill Citing NYS Minimum Wage Conflict

(New York, NY)— On August 5, 2013, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Wright struck down prevailing wage legislation passed in the New York City Council was, finding it to contradict New York State minimum wage laws.

The prevailing wage legislation, initially approved by the Council in April 2012, would require recipients of major city subsidies to pay building service workers a prevailing wage, which will be set by the New York City Comptroller.

Currently, prevailing wages are set by the Comptroller for work on public projects, though the wages differ by occupation and are meant to reflect current union rates.

“I renew my support for the prevailing wage legislation, and join my colleagues in the fight for higher union-level wages for workers in buildings where the City is the major leaseholder,” said Council Member Letitia James. “In his decision Justice Wright recognized that—contrary to arguments from the administration— this legislation is beneficial to many of the City’s service workers and good for our local economy.”

On May 15, 2012, the City Council voted to override Mayor Bloomberg’s veto of the prevailing wage legislation.

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ATTENTION: SYEP Application Now Available!

The application for the Summer Youth Employment Program is now available. Youth between the ages of 14 and 24 are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply is May 10, 2013.

ATTENTION: YMCA Teen Internship Opportunity

The YMCA Teen Internship Opportunity applications are now available for the YMCA Teen Career Connection, a paid summer internship program which provides opportunities for high school students to gain invaluable experience the professional world.

The chosen participants get an 8-week internship where they are placed in fields related to their career interests. In addition to their experience, the participants are provided with a $1,250 stipend, $300 for professional clothing, and 2 monthly unlimited Metrocards.

In order to qualify for the program, the teen must be available for the entirety of the program (June 28th- August 23rd and September 9th), be a sophomore, junior, or senior in high school, and live within the 5 boroughs.

The YMCA will be hosting an information sessions on the program on March 21th, 6-8 p.m. at the West Side YMCA– 5 West 63rd Street New York, NY 10023. The application closes on April 5. Go to www.ymcanyc.org for more information.

Job Opportunity: Barclays Positions!

Barclays Center is currently hiring for positions in Concession and Housekeeping.

Pre-screening events will be held in Downtown Brooklyn this Wednesday through Friday (11/28 to 11/30). All interested and qualified candidates must attend a pre-screening event to be considered for a position. Registration is required to attend pre-screening events. More information (and registration) is available here: http://brooklynbarclayscenterjobs.com.

Final interviews will be conducted starting Friday, November 30th in Downtown Brooklyn.

Job Opportunity: School Safety Agent

SCHOOL SAFETY AGENT EXAM 2012
THE NYPD’S SCHOOL SAFETY AGENT EXAMINATION IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. STARTING SALARY FOR A SCHOOL SAFETY AGENT IS $30,057.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY SIX-DAY-A-WEEK WALK IN EXAMS, AND THE APPLICATION FEE IS $47. THE EXAM PERIOD WILL CLOSE JUNE 30, 2012.

FOR INFO REGARDING QUALIFICATIONS AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SEE HERE: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/careers/school_safety.shtml
[THE EXAM # IS 2345]

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 311.

Committee for Arena Justice Call for Fulfillment of FCR Promises; 6/10

The Committee for Arena Justice (a coalition of community religious leaders) is demanding stronger oversight and the housing and (union/ living wage) jobs promised by Forest City Ratner for Barclays.

WHEN: Sunday, June 10, 2012
3:00PM

WHERE: corner of Atlantic Avenue and South Portland.

For more information, please contact (917) 532-4121.

ATTENTION: Barclays Center Hiring Process Begins!

Barclay’s Center has announced that jobs are available at the arena in areas including Retail, Food and Concession, Security and Ticket Sales. Residents of one of Brooklyn's NYCHA housing developments or Brooklyn Community Boards 2, 3, 6 or 8 are being prioritized. Please visit www.brooklynbarclayscenterjobs.com to begin the application process! Pre-screening recruitment events are being held June 25- 29 in Downtown Brooklyn. All interested and qualified candidates must attend a pre-screening event to be considered for a position. Candidates that are screened and chosen to move forward in the process will be scheduled interviews at job fairs.

NYCHA RESIDENTS— Barclay’s has partnered with the Department of Small Business Services and NYCHA to pre-screen candidates for these positions. Please visit www.brooklynbarclayscenterjobs.com to begin the application process! Register online or at one of the approved NYCHA locations by June 23, 2012; until that date, residents may register at—

Farragut Community Center, 228 York Street 
Monday-Thursday, 3:00-6:00 pm
Friday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Saturday, June 9 & 23 only, 1:30-5:00 pm

Ingersol Community Center, 177 Myrtle Avenue
Monday-Friday, 1:00-3:00 pm

Please note, while a candidate may sign up today, final interviews will be conducted in July. All positions start work in August 2012.

ATTENTION: NYC Council Overrides Mayoral Veto of Prevailing Wage Legislation

At yesterday's Stated Council hearing, the New York City Council voted to override a mayoral veto on legislation that will require recipients of city subsidies pay building service workers a prevailing wage, which will be set by the New York City Comptroller. The prevailing and living wage legislation has been heavily-supported by the Council's Progressive Caucus. Living wage was initially approved by the Council on April 30, 2012.

ATTENTION: NYC Council Approves Living Wage Legislation

The New York City Council approved the living wage legislation on Monday's (April 30th) Stated hearing. The legislation would mandate minimum pay of $11.50 per hour— or $10 without benefits— for employers receiving public funding with gross revenues over $5 million dollars a year. Mayor Bloomberg has been highly critical of the legislation.

Council Member James has been an active voice— along with much of the Progressive Caucus— on achieving living wage in New York City.

“With a growing number of New Yorkers unemployed or underemployed, I have difficulty interpreting the opposition to living wage as anything more than a divisive scare tactic,” said Council Member Letitia James. “New York City’s unemployment rate is at 9.6%, and we have seen the issue of income inequality become a nationwide discussion. It’s long past time we take this step towards fairer wages for employees.”

Job Opportunity- NYC Bike Share Jobs

The NYC Bike Share program currently has a number of job opportunities available through their vendor Alta.

Please see the following link for more information: http://www.altabicycleshare.com/careers/

ATTENTION: Bed-Stuy Youth Task Force Presents Youth Resource Fair; 3/28; MS35

Bedford Stuyvesant’s Youth Education Safety Task Force presents a Youth Resource Fair. The fair will provide an opportunity to connect young people (up to the age of 24) with resources and opportunities in the Bedford Stuyvesant and surrounding community. The fair will include information on summer programs and youth employment, GED training, college access, arts and recreation, and health.

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
4PM- 7PM

WHERE: SCO/ Family Dynamics Beacon Center at MS 35
272 Mac Donough Street
Brooklyn, NY

For more information, contact SCO/ Family Dynamics at 718.453.7004.

Job Opportunity: NYC Parks Lifeguard

New York City Parks' beaches are open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and the pools are open from late June through Labor Day.

Lifeguards work 48 hours each week and first-year lifeguards will earn a minimum of $13.57 an hour, for a weekly salary of over $650.00.

Those interested may learn more about the Lifeguard Training Program and the qualifications here: http://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/jobs/lifeguards

Job Opportunity: NY Post Hosts Career Fair: 1/26

The New York Post is hosting a Career Fair--

WHEN: Thursday January 26,
11AM- 3PM

WHERE: Affinia Manhattan Hotel
371 Seventh Avenue at 31st Street
New York, NY 10001

Positions Available include: Government, Healthcare, Drivers, Sales, and Law Enforcement.

Register and upload your resume at www.catalystcareergroup.com.

CM James, Elected Officials, and Advocates Hold Press Conference In Response to Deceptive AY Training Program; 11/15

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
NOVEMBER 14, 2011

Contacts: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191, and Molly Thomas-Jensen at (718) 237-5527

COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES, STATE SENATOR VELMANETTE MONTGOMERY, SOUTH BROOKLYN LEGAL SERVICES, CLERGY AND COMMUNITY TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE IN SUPPORT OF BROOKLYN RESIDENTS PERSUADED INTO PARTICIPATING IN DECEPTIVE ATLANTIC YARDS TRAINING PROGRAM
PRESS CONFERENCE THIS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 3:30PM AT 67 HANSON PLACE AND SOUTH ELLIOTT PLACE - IN FRONT OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES

Federal lawsuit to be filed against Forest City Ratner Companies LLC, and others for damages based on unpaid wages and false promises

(Brooklyn, NY)- A group of Brooklyn residents who participated in a job-training program negotiated as part of the Atlantic Yards project plan to file a federal lawsuit against the Atlantic Yards Development Company LLC, Brooklyn Arena LLC, Brooklyn United for Innovative Local Development, Forest City Ratner Companies LLC, Bruce Ratner and others.

The suit seeks the recovery of unpaid wages as well as damages based on false promises. The plaintiffs are represented by South Brooklyn Legal Services (a program of Legal Services NYC) and Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady LLP.

WHO: Elected Officials, Clergy, Lawyers, and Plaintiffs

WHAT: Press Conference to Announce Lawsuit against Atlantic Yards Development Company LLC and others

WHEN: Tuesday, November 15 at 3:30pm

WHERE: 67 Hanson Place and South Elliott Place in front of the District Office of NYC Council Member Letitia James

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CM James Scores A+ On Urban Justice Center- Human Rights Report Card

Council Member Letitia James has scored as A+ on the 2011 Urban Justice Center- Human Rights Report Card. The report card examines Council Members' compliance with universal human rights standards- especially in regards to employment, housing, health, food, education and other economic and social rights.

Council Member Letitia James is a supporter of the Council's living wage legislation, and has spoken against Walmart coming to New York City. She was recently part of the leadership that removed a racist anti-abortion billboard in SOHO; and joined with women's advocacy organizations to hold a press conference in support of a fair trial for Nafissatou Diallo, the Guinean housekeeper who accused former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault.

Council Member James sponsored a law that addressed the Department of Corrections reporting to the Council violent incidents involving adolescents in 2009. She has been a strong advocate for restoring childcare vouchers, and fought to avoid the closure of childcare centers Citywide. She sponsored a 35th District Food Conference last term, and continues to work towards increasing green jobs throughout the City.

Council Member James is the sponsor of legislation that would address inequality in City housing, and paid family leave. She can be seen in the Atlantic Yards documentary Battle for Brooklyn, and was a contributer to the documentary The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till, following her introduction of a City Council resolution to reopen Till's murder case.

Council Member James has scored consistently high scores on the report card (see 2008, 2009, and 2010).

Those interested in reading the report may do so here.

Job Opportunity: Property Management Office Manager

Pratt Area Community Council (PACC) is seeking an energetic and organized individual to assume the position of Office Manager/Receptionist at 900 Fulton Street, home of our property management and economic development departments.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Welcome visitors/clients, answer phones, screen calls,
• Direct and refer clients to appropriate staff members and outside sources
• General clerical duties including computer data entry, filing, organizing office records and files, and operating office equipment
• Open and sort high volume of mail daily
• Compile and send out department mailings including rent statements
• Maintain client literature and forms
• Track staff schedules, maintain staff sign-in sheets
• Keep inventory and order office supplies
• Oversee equipment upkeep and communicate with technical support
• Assist with composing correspondence including resident requests
• Maintain database of apartment seekers, RSVP apartment hotline
• Assist with assembling data and information for monthly reports as required.
• Provide other support as required
• Ability to deal with vendors and create invoices

REQUIREMENTS:
Self-starter who is detail oriented with excellent office, organizational, and communication skills. Must be computer literate with proficiency with Microsoft Office suite as well as good word processing and typing skills. Must work well with a wide variety of people and be able to multi-task. Previous office experience required
Spanish speaking a plus

Please send or fax cover letter and resume to:
201 Dekalb Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
718-422-0413 (Fax)
resumes@prattarea.org

Job Opportunity: DSNY Registering Emergency Snow Laborers

The NYC Department of Sanitation is registering emergency snow laborers who can be called upon to remove snow and ice citywide from bus stops, crosswalks, and from step streets in sections of the City after heavy snowfalls. The rate of pay begins at $12 per hour and increases to $18 per hour, after completing the first 40 hours, each pay week.

Interested individuals can register at any DSNY garage between the hours of 7 AM to 3 PM, Monday through Friday. The Manhattan District 12 garage is located at 301 West 215th Street between 9th Avenue & the Harlem River in Inwood. The District 10 garage is at 110 East 131st Street between Lexington & Park Avenue and the District 9 garage is at 125 East 149th Street between Bronx Gerard Avenue & Walton Avenue.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, be eligible to work in the United States, and be capable of performing heavy physical labor. All applicants must bring their social security card and a photo copy of it; two (2) small photos (1 1/2” square) and two (2) original documents and photo copies that prove identity and employment eligibility, such as a driver’s license; federal, state or local identification; school identification with photo, or passport, at time of registration.

For more information on how to register to become an emergency snow laborer, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/sanitation.

Anyone interested in becoming an emergency snow laborer this winter will be required to fill out important paperwork before being hired.

Job Opportunity- Brooklyn Works Construction Trades Training Program

Brooklyn Works (of the Brooklyn Workforce Initiative) is a pre-apprenticeship training program that can help individuals start their careers in construction and environmental mediation. The program is available through a partnership with the New York City District Council of Carpenters.

Brooklyn Works is a 17-week program that provides young adults with a thorough introduction to the building trades, as well as the opportunity to earn 13 combined licenses and certificates (OSHA 10 & 40-hour hazardous waste worker, CPR, scaffold, etc). Graduates of the program work as carpenters, stationary/ operating engineers, painters, etc.

There is only ONE open orientations left in order to be eligible for the October 25, 2011 class. The last orientation is on October 10, 2011 at 10AM.

Those interested MUST bring copies of their birth certificate, social security card, valid state ID, proof of address/ income, high school diploma/GED, and citizenship status to the orientation.

Eligibility Requirements

Ø Able to perform 8-hours of physical labor each day
Ø Travel to job sites throughout the city every day
Ø Be at least 18 years old
Ø An American Citizen or Naturalized Immigrant
Ø Have a valid State ID Card or Drivers License
Ø Able to pass a math and reading test at the 8th grade level
Ø Possess a High School Diploma or GED at the time of application
Ø Be unemployed and/or have a low income
Ø Able to attend class Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM for 17 weeks

Brooklyn Works is located at-
621 Degraw Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217

For more information contact Erica Plasse at 718-237-2017 x149.

Job Opportunity- Heart of BK Commercial Revitalization Associate

Heart of Brooklyn- a partnership of the leading cultural institutions located in central Brooklyn- is hiring a Commercial Revitalization Associate.

Hours: Part­‐Time (15 hours, 2­‐3 days a week)
Location: 789 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Hourly Rate: $12/h

Applicants should be highly motivated and have a demonstrated interest in economic development, community outreach, and the not­‐for­‐profit field. This position reports to Heart of Brooklyn's Commercial Revitalization Manager. The Commercial Revitalization Associate will assist several areas of HOB programming, including research and analysis, marketing, and community outreach, with a focus on economic development.

Work includes:
• Promoting small businesses; working closely with local Prospect Heights merchants
• Drafting and maintaining website content
• Social media marketing
• Business database maintenance
• Assisting with the coordination of monthly meetings
• Assisting with the editing and publishing of a quarterly newsletter
• Assisting with Rolling Up the Gates business attraction events
• Supporting tourism initiatives such as The HOB Connection free shuttle
• General administrative duties as needed

This position is ideal for someone who is interested in gaining experience in non­‐profit work, community affairs, and the wonderful borough of Brooklyn. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

To apply:
Please e­‐mail a letter of interest and resume to Rebeca Ramirez at rramirez@heartofbrooklyn.org (subject line: “Commercial Revitalization Associate”) or fax to (718) 638­‐7740.

Job Opportunity- Chase Holding 2nd Job Fair To Hire Customer Service Representatives

Chase Bank is holding its second job fair to reach its goal of hiring 1,000 new customer service professionals in Brooklyn to work in its home lending business.

WHEN: September 28, 2011
10:00AM- 6PM

WHERE: The Brooklyn Bridge Marriott
333 Adams Street
Brooklyn, NY

The bank filled 450 jobs at its job fair in Brooklyn last month and plans to add at least 600 more.

All candidates interested in the jobs listed below are encouraged to apply online at www.chase.com/careers and enter the accompanying requisition numbers:
Customer care research specialist- 110077685
Customer care letter editor/writer- 110077704
Customer care supervisor- 110064435
Customer care manager- 110066389