Delaware Valley Alliance
Economic Justice for All: Empowering Lives, Strengthening Communities
The Delaware Valley Alliance, led by OIC of America, is fighting for economic justice. This campaign seeks to enrich people’s lives and economic well-being, while addressing a critical need for today’s economy.
Source: Pew Charitable Trusts.Background
Black poverty in the region is unacceptably high,
From Chester (35%) to Coatesville (18%) to Norristown (19%). Some Philadelphia neighborhoods have a poverty rate of more than 45%.
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In Pennsylvania, a whopping 78% of transportation revenue is from the regressive gas tax.
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The gas tax is regressive because the lowest-income households spend the highest portion of their income—more than 16%—on gas.
That’s where the money comes from. Where does it go?
Source: FHWA Form 1392Data and Analysis
Over the last five years, even as PennDOT’s workforce has grown, the percentage of African American employees has gone down.
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Particularly among heavy equipment operators—some of the most highly paid construction jobs—the disparities are vast.
Source: FHWA Form 1392
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The decrease in percentage of African American workers is prevalent across the board—among both semi-skilled and unskilled laborers.
Source: FHWA Form 1392
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To remedy this, state government policy needs to provide for TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND INVESTMENT.
What We Need
Transparency
All Pennsylvania departments should have readily available information on workforce composition, as well as resources for obtaining the certification and training needed to qualify for state jobs.
For example, the Minnesota Department of Transportation provides a dashboard on its website for the public to easily view.
Accountability
State officials should regularly report to communities about workforce composition and about job opportunities for those interested in joining the commonwealth’s workforce. Whether through community meetings, public hearings or published data, the public should have all the tools necessary to hold public officials accountable.
Investment
Pennsylvania needs to invest in training new workers to take on these jobs. Building equity in the construction trades will improve economic justice and reduce poverty, particularly in Black and brown communities, which face a 27 percent poverty rate across the region.
The Delaware Valley Alliance will position the workforce of today, tomorrow, and the future to harness their economic power into political power. With the right training and tools, historically oppressed people can use their talent to have the strongest influence on policy and cultural change.
The DVA is an outgrowth of the national Sullivan Training Network, powered by OIC of America, a direct line to economic mobility for America’s forgotten people. It taps into talent and prepares people for living-wage careers tailored to their local economies. We connect employers to a reliable and skilled workforce so their businesses thrive.
How We’ll Do It
The work of the Sullivan Training Network is threefold
We educate people with industry-recognized training.
We connect people to training for in-demand fields.
We connect employers to a reliable workforce so businesses thrive.
