OTHER NEWS

• Baltimore Sun, "U.S.Poverty Rate Remains Unchanged"
• New York Times, "Real Wages Fail to Match Rise in Productivity"
• Center for Law and Social Policy, "Getting Punched: The Job and Family Clock"

UPCOMING EVENTS

• JOTF to Co-Host a Film Screening & Policy Luncheon Highlighting the Challenges Facing America's Low-Wage Working Families (09/19/2006)
• JOTF to Co-Host "Paid Leave: Who Gets It, Who Doesn't, and What's Being Done About It" (10/11/2006)

OPPORTUNITIES

• Baltimore CASH Campaign Seeks Tax Operations Coordinator
• Primo Electric Company / Primenet Inc Job Opportunities

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JOTF Welcomes Gerald T Ford and Andrea Payne to the Organization

Gerald T. Ford has been hired as JOTF's Business Liaison. He comes to us from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation where he has led efforts to analyze, develop, and implement community economic development programs.

Andrea Payne is our new Policy Analyst. She is a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins University with a Master's in Public Policy and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management programs.

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Baltimore Sun, "U.S.Poverty Rate Remains Unchanged"

The Baltimore Sun covers Associated Press Writer Stephen Ohlemacher's report on the latest Census Bureau survey claiming that household incomes are up sllightly in 2005, but with 37 million people still living below the poverty line.

The Census Bureau surveyed 100,000 households in the spring of 2005 about their incomes and health insurance. About 12.6 percent of the population lived below the poverty line in 2005, which was down from 12.7 percent in 2004. Officials stated that the change was not statistically significant.

Read "U.S.Poverty Rate Remains Unchanged"

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New York Times, "Real Wages Fail to Match Rise in Productivity"

Steven Greenhouse and David Leonhardt of the New York Times report that the median hourly wage for American workers has declined 2 percent - after factoring in inflation. This being reportedly due to productivity rising steadily over the same period.

Wages and salaries now make up the lowest share of the nation's gross domestic product since the government began recording the data in 1947.

Read "Real Wages Fail to Match Rise in Productivity"

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Center for Law and Social Policy, "Getting Punched: The Job and Family Clock"

Jodie Levin-Epstein, deputy director of the Center for Law and Policy (CLASP) gives the facts on the dramatic labor market changes that result in more and more workers facing dual and dueling responsibilities – those at work and those at home. Businesses that recognize this tension address it through responsive scheduling and paid time off; and, these businesses benefit from cost savings when they do. Getting Punched suggests 10 ways that government should get more involved in promoting responsive workplaces for workers of all wages.

Read "Getting Punched: The Job and family Clock"

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UPCOMING EVENTS

JOTF to Co-Host a Film Screening & Policy Luncheon Highlighting the Challenges Facing America's Low-Wage Working Families (09/19/2006)

Can America's Low-Wage Workers Still Achieve the American Dream?

Film Screening & Policy Luncheon
Tuesday, September 19, 2006 12-1:45p.m.
Lunch available beginning at 11:30a.m.

Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture
830 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD
Parking is located directly across the street
on the corner of Pratt and President Streets. Discounted
validation parking is available for the PMI Little Italy Garage.

Hosted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Job Opportunities Task Force,
Maryland Public Television, the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture

Please join us on Sept. 19 for a policy luncheon focusing on the challenges facing America's low-wage working families and how communities, policy-makers and business leaders can make a difference.

A new documentary "Waging a Living," funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Ford Foundation takes an in-depth look at the struggles of four low-wage workers trying to make ends meet. A 26-minute, policy version of the documentary titled, "Waging a Living: Opportunities for Action," will be screened at the luncheon.

Following the film, a panel discussion with experts from the Baltimore health care, workforce development and business community will address the obstacles facing low-income workers and changes that can be made to help these families achieve the American Dream.

U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings will open the event and Jayne Miller of WBAL television will moderate. In addition to listed panelists, low-wage workers from Baltimore will discuss their experiences and recommendations. Audience questions are encouraged throughout the panelist discussion.

Host:
U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings

Moderator:
Jayne Miller ~ WBAL Investigative Reporter

Panelists:
Anirban Basu ~ Chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc.
Jason Perkins-Cohen ~ Executive Director, Job Opportunities Task Force
Jo-Ann Williams ~ Human Resource Manager, University of Maryland Medical Systems

Space is limited. RSVP to Jessica Traskey at (410) 234-8040 or jessica@jotf.org

The feature-length version of "Waging a Living" will air on Maryland Public Television on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 9p.m.

Visit http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2006/wagingaliving for more information on "Waging a Living"

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JOTF to Co-Host "Paid Leave: Who Gets It, Who Doesn't, and What's Being Done About It" (10/11/06)

Job Opportunities Task Force Fall Forum
Paid Leave: Who Gets It, Who Doesn't, and What's Being Done About It

October 11, 2006
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Baltimore City Community College
Corporate Training Program
710 E Lombard Street

Panelists:
Kate Kahan ~ National Partnership for Women and Families
Jodie Levin-Epstein ~ CLASP (Center for Law & Social Policy)
Vicky Lovell ~ Institute for Women's Policy Research

Sponsored By:
Open Society Institute
Job Opportunities Task Force
Baltimore CASH Campaign

Space is limited. RSVP to Jessica Traskey at (410) 234-8040 or jessica@jotf.org

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The Baltimore CASH Campaign works to promote economic stability and empowerment for low-income households in the Baltimore area.  The Campaign is entering its 6 th year and is the work of a coalition of that includes nonprofits, foundations, community-based organizations, Baltimore City government agencies, the IRS, and hundreds of volunteers.  The campaign focuses on helping working families maximize their financial opportunities and resources through the following activities:

• Conducting marketing and outreach about the EITC and the dangers and costs of Rapid Anticipation Loans and similar loan products
• Providing free income tax preparation to low- and moderate-income families to assist them in claiming the EITC and other available tax credits;
• And, connecting clients to asset development resources, including financial literacy counseling, home buying workshops, and matched savings programs.

For the 2005-2006 tax season, the Baltimore CASH Campaign prepared over 6,100 tax returns at 17 sites throughout Baltimore City and Baltimore County.  Over $11 million in federal and state refunds were brought back to Baltimore communities.

Requirements:

The Operations Coordinator will primarily provide technical assistance and support to community tax preparation sites throughout Baltimore City.  The coordinator will work under the supervision of the Operations Director and the Campaign Director and will be responsible for the following activities to support the campaign:  

Tax Site Operations (during season)

1.       Coordinate volunteer tax preparation training
2.       Manage web-based scheduling service contract
3.       Provide technical assistance and quality checks to sites as needed during tax season (including Saturdays from the beginning of January through March 10, 2007)
4.       Manage the data collection process  

Tax Site Support (off season)

1.               Assist in expansion of tax services in Baltimore – including identifying potential partners and resources, coordinating meetings of key stakeholders, and negotiating partnerships
2.       Develop training and capacity building opportunities
3.       Assist with hiring of short-term paid-staff support for campaign sites
4.       Prepare materials for tax season training and on-site procedures  

Qualifications

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree—preferably in accounting, law, or business, or have experience in accounting and tax preparation; with a minimum of 3 years experience. Candidate must be self-starter with excellent computer and project management skills.

This is a full-time position with salary range of $35,000-$40,000 depending on experience, plus benefits.

Resumes are due by September 6, 2006

Please send resumes to Joanna@mvlslaw.org or fax 410-837-0431.

Since their founding more than 40 years ago, Primo Electric Company has promoted an environment where people take pride in their work. As a result, Primo employees enjoy challenging careers, valuable educational opportunities and a competitive wage and benefit package. All in a workplace that emphasizes teamwork, safety, commitment and mutual respect.

Whether seeking an apprenticeship, laborer, journeyman, foreman, or equipment operator position, Primo Electric offers numerous career opportunities.

PrimeNet Inc specializes in helping clients define, optimize, and manage their voice, data, video, and security communication systems.

At PrimeNet, pride is more than just a feeling; it’s a concrete attitude and philosophy that influences every aspect of their business. As a result, employees enjoy challenging careers, valuable educational opportunities (Including onsite BICSI® certification) and a competitive wage and benefits package. All in a workplace that emphasizes teamwork, safety, commitment and mutual respect.

Click here to view Primo Electric Company and Primenet Inc job opportunities in MS Word format

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