September 21, 2022

BERKELEY COUNCIL PASSES PROPOSAL TO SUPPORT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, LOCAL HIRING AND LABOR STANDARDS

The bill calls for improved standards to support recruitment, training, and retention of skilled construction workers local to the Berkeley community

*Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín and Andreas Cluver, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alameda County Building Trades Council, present the HARD HATS Ordinance with construction workers earlier this month.*

BERKELEY, CA - Last night, the Berkeley City Council passed a referral to develop the Helping Achieve Responsible Development with Healthcare and Apprenticeship Training Standards (HARD HATS) ordinance, which would require apprenticeship programs and healthcare coverage for all developments of at least 50,000 square feet in Berkeley.

“In recent years we have seen labor shortages caused in part by a lack of adequate benefits and wages, which is especially true in the construction industry”, said Mayor Arreguin. “The HARD HATS proposal is a win-win, supporting blue-collar workers and enhancing productivity at construction sites.”

There is currently a labor shortage of skilled construction workers, which comes at a time when cities across the state are being asked to construct more housing. In Berkeley, 9,000 units (not including student housing), are expected to be built by 2030. Issues such as reduced utilization of state-approved apprenticeships, fewer young labor force entrants, and dwindling contractor offerings of health and retirement plans are threatening to stall many developments.

This proposal will help meet the City’s General Plan goals on housing production by reducing construction delays on affordable housing due to a lack of skilled workers, in addition to providing adequate healthcare to employees in a job that has higher rates of injuries compared to other industries (one out of five insurance claims for a significant injury involves a construction worker, despite making up one out of 25 jobs in California). Advancing apprenticeship programs and training will also improve safety and worker retention.

At the beginning of the month, the Mayor hosted a press conference with the various labor and construction unions to introduce the item. This took place at 600 Addison St, a construction site home to the future Berkeley Commons, a Research & Development office complex in the heart of Berkeley’s manufacturing district that would accommodate 1,600 jobs.

“Historically, strong apprenticeship programs and Union construction careers meant a booming community in both development and a quality of life. In recent decades, developers have lowered workforce standards jeopardizing the ability to grow the residential construction market responsibility while hurting working families,” said Andreas Cluver, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council. “I am excited to support this program, which will ensure local construction workers have healthcare and training opportunities. These are important steps to rebuilding the middle class and accelerating the construction of vital development projects.”

Last night’s vote refers to City Staff the creation of an ordinance. A final version is expected to be adopted in December 2022.