[COMM-ORG] Query - Best practices on "good jobs" and municipal policy

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

[ed:  please feel welcomed to copy COMM-ORG with replies to Peter's 
query that have an organizing dimension.  Otherwise, please contact 
Peter directly at the address below.]

From: "Peter Dreier" <dreier at oxy.edu>


Colleagues:

I am writing a magazine article on what local governments can do to leverage
the private sector to create good jobs -- well-paying jobs with good
benefits. I'd appreciate your help in identifying cities with "best
practices" in this area.

I'm looking for examples that use the powers of local government -- land
use, economic development and redevelopment, purchasing (i.e. contracting),
and regularly -- to create and retain good middle class jobs in the private
sector. Obvious examples are local living wage laws. Another: LA passed an
anti-sweatshop ordinance a few years ago to ban the city from purchasing
certain goods (like uniforms) from companies that use sweatshop labor.

Any examples you can provide would be much appreciated. If you can briefly
describe the policy and identify one or more cities that use it, that would
help. If you have the name and contact info for someone in that city (a city
staffer, an academic, an advocacy group) that knows some of the details,
that would be even better.

Please send the information to me at: dreier at oxy.edu

Many thanks.

Peter Dreier

____________________
Peter Dreier
E.P. Clapp Distinguished Professor of Politics Director, Urban &
Environmental Policy Program Occidental College Los Angeles, CA 90041
Phone: (323) 259-2913
Email: dreier at oxy.edu
Website: http://employees.oxy.edu/dreier

"The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great
moral crises maintain their neutrality" - Dante