Browsing Category : Community

Policy Watch: Week of 9/18


City of San Jose Council Member Rocha’s request for analysis into City of San Jose OTW exception, plus City Manager and Attorney memo analyzing City exceptions The Council will consider CM Rocha’s memo that will direct staff to analyze the administrative and budget implications of implementing the Opportunity to Work rules within the City organization and return to City Council…

19th Annual Labor in the Pulpit/Bimah/Minbar


This year, congregations throughout Silicon Valley joined in the celebration of the 19th annual Labor in the Pulpit/Bimah/Minbar program. Needless to say, it was a success! Over 30 volunteer speakers took the Interfaith Council’s and Silicon Valley Rising’s message of affordable housing for working families into more than 70 services across Santa Clara County. More than 15,000 members of the…

Policy Watch: Week of 9/11


County of Santa Clara Direction on a new Business License program to regulate business in unincorporated areas This report presents a proposed business license program for the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County.  The purpose of the report is to obtain input and guidance from the Committee. Although the County does not have a means to accurately assess the number…

County Board of Education Rejects Charter School Despite Mayoral Plea


Last night, the County Board of Education turned down another flawed charter school, demonstrating a shift away from rubber stamping every charter that comes their way.  Promise Academy, a charter school funded indirectly by the Walton family of WalMart, came before the County Board to appeal its denial by the locally elected San Jose Unified School District Board.  The denial of…

Project Labor Agreement Approved for Private Sector 25-Story Museum Place Development Project in Downtown San Jose


On Tuesday, the San Jose City Council approved the 25-story mixed-use Museum Place development project. The development contains a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with local construction trade unions that requires the hiring of local workers for the project and that they be paid the prevailing wage. The PLA also contains provisions supporting apprenticeship work opportunities for veterans. “We commend Insight Realty for demonstrating…

Rapid Response Network Launches Countywide


Yesterday, the Rapid Response Network (RRN) launched Santa Clara Countywide. The announcement was made by local immigrant leaders, clergy, President of the Board of Supervisors Dave Cortese, Supervisor Joe Simitian, Mountain View Mayor Ken Rosenberg, community based organizations including the South Bay Labor Council, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, LUNA, PACT, Sacred Heart Community Service, and SIREN, the San…

Policy Watch: Week of 8/28


City of San Jose Approving Museum Place Development Agreement; MEMO from Liccardo/Carrasco/Peralez/Khamis recommends approval with additional direction UPDATE: Aug. 25 memo from Mayor Liccardo and CMs Carrasco, Peralez and Khamis recommends approving the staff rec with additional direction on conditions, and requests a progress report in March 2018 on a number of items including potential for a Community Facilities District.…

Nearly 300 Residents Gather for First in a Series of Community-Led Town Hall on San Jose Google Mega-Campus


Yesterday evening, nearly 300 residents gathered for the first in a series of community-led town halls on the potential impacts across the City, as well as the opportunities, of Google’s proposed San Jose Mega-Campus. Residents shared their vision for addressing issues of affordable housing, access to quality jobs and education and other community needs within the project. The City of San…

Council Votes to Close Loopholes in San Jose’s Living Wage Policy


After a multi-year dispute with Republic Services over its use of a subsidiary and temporary staffing firm to avoid paying the City’s Living Wage, the City of San Jose voted unanimously to accept a settlement agreement providing back wages and agreeing to a $17 wage going forward for sorters and housekeeping staff at Republic’s Newby Island facility employed by Leadpoint,…

Policy Watch: Week of 8/21


County of Santa Clara Living wage policy for nonprofits – including phase in period, credits, and waivers Receive report and draft proposed revisions relating to a living wage policy for community-based nonprofit contractors. In 2014, the Board adopted a living wage policy for County contractors, but temporarily exempted nonprofits, and a Problem-Solving Process was included for future inclusion of nonprofits.…