27 Jan
Join the SE Seattle Jobs Committee at our next meeting!
When: Wednesday, February 1st from 6-8pm
Where: Southside Commons Building – 3518 South Edmunds St., Seattle
Why: The reconstruction of the Rainier Beach Community Center and Pool is being funded with $14 million in our tax dollars. But the contractors aren’t required to hire and train local workers to do the work.
That ain’t green – and it certainly ain’t right!
Check out this short video to hear more about what’s been happening:
17 Jan
Unemployed workers and community supporters are planning informational pickets at the site where the Rainier Beach Community Center and Pool are being rebuilt by CE &C, a Tacoma-based contractor. “We’re asking CE&C (the general contractor) to insure members of our community will have an opportunity to work on reconstructing a very popular recreational center that has been closed for over a year” Leonard Sims, area resident and journey-level laborer.
The issue is the contractor’s lack of any local hiring plan that would create jobs in a neighborhood burdened with double the unemployment rates of the City overall and a lack of employment opportunities.
The project is owned by the City of Seattle and funded with $14.8M of local tax dollars. Members of the South Seattle Jobs Committee* have attempted to secure a commitment to creating job opportunities on this project with City officials and the contractor since last August. During these meetings, the City said it is committed to the hiring of a local and diverse workforce on City contracts. “Following our meetings with the contractor and City, we’re skeptical there will be any jobs for workers from this community” according to James Williams, an organizer for Working Washington.
Every day the facility was used by hundreds of southeast Seattle youth, adults, and seniors and served as a focal point for community activity. Its closure in 2010 and subsequent delays in awarding a contract for construction has drawn both criticism and praise from Rainier Beach community leaders. The new center and pool will not open until the summer of 2013, leaving its users with few options for nearly 30 months. “My 8-yr old son and I used the center regularly and I wish I had a rec center nearby … at least our community should get the benefit of jobs during its construction!” Jacquel Redmond, Member of Rainier Beach Community Empowerment Coalition.
Michael Woo, director of Got Green in Columbia City said, “As we’re all more conscious of our environment we’re thankful a newer community center is being built green and will ultimately help conserve resources. While the project is good for the planet – shouldn’t it benefit the community thru green job creation too?”
What: Informational Pickets at Rainier Beach Community Center
When: January 17, 18, 19 & 20, 2012 starting at 11:30am
Where: 8825 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle
11 Jan
March with Got Green! After the rally, meet us on the steps leading to the main entrance of the school to march together as a group downtown to the Federal Building for a short program. A snack lunch and free buses back to Garfield will be available too.
Starting at 9:30AM there will be several interesting and free workshops in the school. You won’t want to miss this program of song and inspirational speeches in the Quincy Jones Auditorium beginning at 11AM. Look for our Got Green t-shirts and banner in the auditorium to sit with us!
9am Workshops begin
11am Rally begins
12:30pm March begins
400 23rd Ave. (23rd Ave & E. Jefferson St.)
Seattle, WA 98122
22 Nov
Great job on the Chase action on Saturday! We delivered a big turkey and letter to the Othello branch manager demanding that Chase give back 10% of the fees they charge on EBT cards to save the Farmer’s Market Nutrition program for low-income women, children, and seniors.
Women, children, and families marched down MLK to Chase bank carrying signs to Chase Bank as we collectively asked them to give back 10% of their contract –nearly $800,000– and to use those dollars to save Farmers Market Bucks and other food programs.
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Photos provided by Inye Wokoma – Ijo Arts Photography
Got Green’s Action on Chase Bank this Saturday demanded attention, calling loudly for Chase to stop benefiting from poor families and seniors.
profiting each time a new family goes on food stamps. Chase’s contract nearly doubled since the recession started.14 Oct
Our “Green Women, Healthy Voices” report back to the community event was a success! You can now watch VIDEO from the event right here on the Got Green website!
View the Women in the Green Economy Report Recommendations segment in this post and in our videos tab above you can also watch powerful testimonials from SE Seattle women: Jacquel, Katherine, Michelle, Ramata, Sylvia, and Violet.
