Legal Momentum Urges Governor Spitzer to Sign the Nontraditional Employment Opportunities Bill

October 19, 2007 -

 

New York, July 17, 2007--In New York State, the overwhelming majority of persons leaving welfare are single mothers. When they leave welfare, they are currently steered disproportionately into low-paying, dead-end jobs. Research demonstrates that women who get access to training as part of leaving welfare usually enter heavily female, low-income fields like childcare or cosmetology.

We urge Governor Spitzer to sign S.3201/A.3366. This law will encourage social services districts throughout the state to offer education and training in nontraditional and sustainable wage occupations to persons leaving welfare.

Why encourage women to enter nontraditional fields?


  • There is currently a high demand for workers in nontraditional employment fields.
    In New York City, the anticipated retirement of many unionized construction workers, whose average age is approaching 50, and a boom in public and private construction will result in an estimated 20,000 openings in construction trades in the next 5 years.
  • Construction careers can help women become economically self-sufficient. The 20 top women-dominated fields for women's employment pay 20-30% less than nontraditional jobs.
  • The skilled trades offer unrivaled financial opportunities. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the skilled trades offer wages of $20 to $30 per hour, on-the-job training, pensions, and health care benefits through union membership.

About Legal Momentum
Established in 1970, Legal Momentum advocates for freedom from violence against women; equal work and equal pay; the health of women and girls; and strong families and strong communities.

Legal Momentum launched the Equality Works to create more job and career opportunities for women by eliminating the barriers to women's hiring, promotion, and retention in fields that have traditionally been closed to women. The goal of the project is to transform the current non-traditional environment into one that is welcoming and safe.

Equality Works staff works with public and private builders, contractors, unions, governmental representatives, and community organizations in order to ensure equal opportunity in the construction industry. Our work includes:


  • identifying and recruiting experienced tradeswomen;
  • identifying and supporting training sources;
  • developing equal opportunity contractual clauses and policies;
  • supporting and training independent monitors; and
  • litigating against employers and unions that discriminate against women workers.