OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JOBS4OAKLAND:
| What: | Press Conference | |
| When: |
Monday, May 23, 2016 @ 11:00 a.m. |
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| Where: | 375 Burma Road, Oakland CA 94607, on former Oakland Army Base | |
| (FOLLOW SIGNS) | ||
| Who: |
JOBS4OAKLAND - A coalition of Oakland health, labor, religious, community and business leaders and TERMINAL LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS, an Oakland-based, African-American-owned company slated to operate the new Oakland Global shipping terminal |
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On June 27, the Oakland City Council is slated to vote on a “coal ban,” based on false health claims, that would effectively dismantle the Oakland Global marine terminal project and killing existing and future skilled jobs for Oaklanders. Oakland allows coal shipments through the Port of Oakland. Community and civic leaders from Oakland will voice their concern over these issues at the site of the new marine terminal on Monday, May 23rd at 11:00 a.m.
These leaders issued the following statement today:
In spite of publicized relocations of Uber and other companies, the promise of skilled jobs and economic prosperity continues to elude much of Oakland and the East Bay, which still suffers from a high regional unemployment rate and where rising home prices threaten to push out more working families.
No current project in Oakland promises more skilled jobs than the redevelopment of the Oakland Army Base (OAB), which was shuttered in 1999. In 2013, the Oakland City Council approved an agreement to build Oakland Global, a new state-of-the-art shipping terminal designed to keep Oakland’s working waterfront competitive in the global economy. Economic forecasts predict at least 8,000 new jobs from the OAB project. Politicians and city leaders were quick to take credit for all the jobs and benefits promised.
The project is underway. More than 2,700 people have been hired or contracted. Goals for local and disadvantaged hires are already being exceeded.
But, as usual, Oakland politics threaten to entangle and dismantle the entire plan, threatening thousands of skilled jobs that help keep Oakland affordable.
The issue? Coal. Even though they permit shipping coal through the Port of Oakland, city leaders are stalling this project while they explore questionable ways of stopping coal and other LEGAL commodities through Oakland Global.
Any coal that may be shipped through Oakland Global will not emit coal dust – in fact, coal will never see the light of day. Rail cars will be covered from their point of origin using proven technology, an elaborate underground transloading system, enclosed dome storage, and a completely encapsulated operation. All of these measures are in writing and legally enforceable. Claims about coal dust emissions are simply false.
Community Medical Experts
- H. Geoffrey Watson, M.D. – James A. Watson Wellness Center
- Washington Burns, M.D. – Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, home of the “Breathmobile”
Pastors – West Oakland / Oakland Churches
- Kevin Barnes - Abyssinian Baptist Church
- Gerald Agee – Friendship Christian Center Church
- Anthony Jenkins – Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church
- Michael Wallace - Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church
- Paul Brondon Reems – Center of Hope Community Church
Project Operator
- Jerry Bridges – CEO, Terminal Logistics Solutions
Local Business Owners
- Victor and Karen Rollandi – SDV Services
- Nicole Falache – Bunker Services Racon Strategic Solutions – Intermodal Services
- Ron Baptiste – Eagle Environmental Construction
Labor Leaders
- Fernando Estrada - Laborers International Union of North America Local 304
- Marty Freitas – International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 70
Oakland Community Activists
- Ron Muhammad - West Oakland Community Organizer
NOTE: PRESS CONFERENCE IS BEING HELD ON AN ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION SITE. ONLY CREDENTIALED MEDIA WILL BE ADMITTED.