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Update — June 2009
Thank You!As President Obama works to fulfill his promise of putting our nation on the right path, we recognize the significant work that still needs to be done in New York City. Thousands of New Yorkers are out of work. Homeowners are facing foreclosure. People are struggling to make ends meet. The question is: Can we use this economic downturn and federal economic stimulus to transform and diversify our Cityís economy? I believe we can. Urban Agenda is committed to doing its part as a convener and policy innovator to help meet this goal. None of our work would be possible without your support. I want to especially thank everyone who came out for our Visionary Awards celebration on May 18. You helped make it a real success. What a night! I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Urban Agenda's Board, the Host Committee, and our honorees, Mike Fishman, David Jones, and Richard Ravitch. You are all true visionaries. We have had an opportunity to work with many of you. Your organization may be one of 170 others who have sat beside us at the Green Collar Jobs Roundtable charting a course for comprehensive workforce development in New York City. You may have met with us around the criteria to ensure a just distribution of economic stimulus dollars. You may have responded to an action alert or just support the work we and the honorees have done. We want to celebrate all of this with you. We hope that you will continue to support our work by becoming a Urban Agenda sustainer. It takes only a few simple steps: on the donate page of the urbanagenda.org website, you can choose to "donate by credit card" and it will allow you to choose the "recurring donation" option. We are committed to using all contributions to help grow our advocacy for a more thriving, just and sustainable New York City. In solidarity, Joanne Derwin, Executive Director, Urban Agenda BREAKING NEWSU.S. Department of Labor Releases Initial Plans for Green Jobs Training Money DisbursementThe Recovery Act provides $500 million for green jobs training to prepare workers for careers in the energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors. The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration just released a notice describing initial plans for awarding the green jobs training funds. The notice can be read here. The Workforce Alliance provides a great summary of the Department of Labor's plans for the green jobs grants. Solicitations for proposals will be published beginning in mid-June 2009, with application closing dates in late summer or early fall. FEATURED PARTNERHeat and Frost Insulators Local 12The Heat and Frost Insulators Local 12 works to provide economical alternatives and innovative techniques to reduce harmful emissions and daily energy consumption, and promote a healthier environment. With many of New Yorkís mechanical equipment rooms in need of repair, Local 12 is taking the opportunity to not only improve energy efficiency, but also raise awareness of the importance of mechanical insulation.
Ippolito, an insulator since 1971, became a union representative in 1993 and then Business Manager in 2001. His work experience and extended involvement with environmental organizations has helped shape his view that the current green wave may provide numerous opportunities for mechanical insulators. He predicts that with stimulus funded construction projects, membership could increase significantly to meet demand, creating not only good paying jobs but careers. SPOTLIGHTGreen Jobs/Green Homes NYThe Center for Working Families released its Green Jobs/Green Homes NY policy blueprint on May 15, in Washington D.C., in conjunction with the Center for American Progress and Half in Ten. Van Jones, Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, was the keynote speaker at the release event. Urban Agenda played a big role in helping to formulate this plan to retrofit one million New York homes over the next five years. The Green Jobs/Green Homes NY report outlines a program that will:
Urban Agenda is now partnering with the Working Families Party and others to turn this policy into law in New York State! Download the report (pdf) Download the executive summary (pdf)
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Insulating mechanical piping, equipment and ductwork in commercial and industrial buildings is a critical part of the construction industry. Yet, the profession has sometimes been overlooked. With the current economic stimulus package however, there may be room for growth according to Local 12 Business Manager Dennis Ippolito.