Jamaica rezoning calls for good jobs
Letter to the Editor
Published: August 6, 2007
The rezoning of Jamaica for redevelopment ("Neighborhood Journal," July 30), which is part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's PlaNYC 2030 agenda, has the potential to infuse hundreds of new jobs into this community.
What is not clear is whether the jobs created will pay decent wages.
Economic development in Jamaica must go hand-in-hand with policies designed to create good jobs that pay workers good wages.
In fact, it should be unacceptable for any development plan to not address this issue.
The mayor and the City Council have an opportunity to create a policy that would require developers to raise the wage standards for service workers.
To that end, we urge the City Council to vote "no" on Jamaica's rezoning if the plan for it does not include provisions for prevailing wage standards.
Kyle Bragg
Vice president
SEIU Local 32BJ