AFSCME Local 372 and the New York City Board of Education Work Experience Program

Background

In early 1995, Local 372 began discussions with the New York City Mayor and Schools Chancellor for the development of a Work Experience Program (WEP). The Local, which has long been active in New York community affairs, had previously participated in a joint effort with the Board of Education called Project Step, which provided training and mentoring opportunities for unemployed youth and young adults. The Board of Education also had a Work Experience Program at its Central Board, where participants worked mainly in clerical functions, but there was no intent to hire these workers into permanent jobs. The goal of the new Local 372 program was to provide permanent job placement for its participants.

Structure and Mission

The overall mission of the program is to prepare welfare-to-work participants for permanent job placement by providing them with a successful work experience that includes basic secondary and post-secondary education and vocational training as appropriate. The WEP is jointly administered by labor and management. The Board of Education and City of New York, in cooperation with Local 372 and District Council 37, identify, assign, and train WEP participants for positions as Food Service Helpers. Those selected work for four months as trainees, with Local 372 members being involved in a one-on-one mentoring process after the participants complete formalized training provided by the Board of Education. Local 372 and the District Council 37 Education Fund provide employment counseling and job preparation skills to program participants. Successful trainees are hired into positions as School Lunch Helpers.

Accomplishments

As of April 1998, 90 welfare-to-work participants out of a total training population of 104 have been promoted to permanent positions.